Steps to cycling a fish tank?

Question

can someone give me the steps to cycling a 20 gallon freshwater fish tank? I have no fish in it if that helps. also, do you do the same thing for a 15 gallon?

Answer 1

1. Put in conditioned water. (buy water conditioner from a pet store)

2. Put in the filter heater and decor and gravel etc. ( turn on the filter and leave it on always and forever )

3. Buy bacteria starter from a fish store and follow directions on bottle.

4. Buy a water test kit from a fish store ( get the API drops, dint buy the strips they aren't as accurate)

5. The tank run for at least a week without fish in it ( longer up to three weeks is you can stand the wait)

6. check the water for ammonia and nitrite. They should be zero.

7. Put in only a few hardy fish to start and do constant water changes at least 25 % every three days until the ammonia reads zero again. ( it will spike when you put in fish even if the tank is fully cycled)

8. Wait at least a month before you add more fish. When you do add more only a few at a time.

9. google the Nitrogen Cycle

10. GOOD LUCK : )  

Answer 2

Good on you to research before making fish suffer through the cycling!

Here's another fishless cycling article:

http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name=N...

And another with a more 'personal experience' feel:

http://thegab.org/Articles/FishlessCycli...

If you have any questions feel free to ask at any of those forums -- or other fish forums. People will be glad you help you through cycling, it can be a very frustrating process!

Just so you know, my 1st cycle with fish took 15 weeks. My fishless cycle took 3.5 weeks, WITHOUT the crazy constant water changes required when fish are in the tank so they don't die of ammonia burn/poisoning. It's worth it to do it the fishless way.  

Answer 3

All you need to know is here...

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

And I hope you realise you wont be able to keep many fish in such a small tank! Are you prepared for fish care, they take up almost as much effort as a cat or dog!

Good luck!