5 Responses to “Do you cycle a freshwater aquarium as well as a saltwater?”

1. Jen626 Says:
   February 11th, 2009 at 9:45 am

   You definitely need to cycle a freshwater tank as well as a saltwater tank. I have never done a saltwater tank, but to cycle the freshwater one (without fish) you use ammonia and fish food and wait for the nitrogen cycle to kick in. Hope that helps!

   There is a great aquarium forum here if you want more details, it focuses on goldfish but there are saltwater enthusiats too, and people are always glad to help for research:

2. Venice Girl Says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 1:52 am

   Yes, you have to cycle freshwater aquariums also, but it would be different than for a saltwater tank. The first link is an excellent reference for complete tank cycling of goldfish aquarium. The second is for tropical freshwater tanks.

3. Carson Says:
   February 16th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

   Yes, you need to cycle both tanks to build up the beneficial bacteria. Saltwater tanks are a bit different because they use live rock, which already has some bacteria on it. Freshwater tanks can be cycled using a fishless cycle or a fish cycle (cruel to the fish who are used for the cycling process and not necessary). In a planted tank, you can also use a silent cycle, since plants use the ammonia in the photosynthesis process. Here are some reference materials on cycling…

4. bleedseahawkblue Says:
   February 18th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

   Posted by bleedseahawkblue

   Yes you have to cycle both kinds. The process is basically the same, but the bacteria is different between freshwater and saltwater. They both do the same job though.

5. Emmanuel K Says:
   February 20th, 2009 at 11:37 am

   hello yes you have to cycle both eve 2month and change the water ever week to take the fish tank clean so

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