210 gallon tank how long to cycle

twentyleagues

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Brown dusty algae? Sounds like diatoms. If so usually they show up at the end of a cycle because water is livable and there is extra phosphate, silicate and nitrate. Do some waterchanges and you should be good.
 
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AnthonyFish20

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Brown dusty algae? Sounds like diatoms. If so usually they show up at the end of a cycle because water is livable and there is extra phosphate, silicate and nitrate. Do some waterchanges and you should be good.
Ok prob is I gotta get my python im ordering it this week is it alright if I just do a 10-20% water change cause I gotta do buckets lol.
 

DRC

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Ok prob is I gotta get my python im ordering it this week is it alright if I just do a 10-20% water change cause I gotta do buckets lol.
If you just finished cycling the tank, nitrates are probably pretty high. The more you are able to do the better, but a smaller change is certainly better than none.
 
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AnthonyFish20

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If you just finished cycling the tank, nitrates are probably pretty high. The more you are able to do the better, but a smaller change is certainly better than none.
Ok tm im gonna try and get a big change and do 10% every day until I get my python.
 
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Hendre

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8-10 hours is too long. Especially without plants, cut it down by at least two hours for an algae reduction.
 

Nm1

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Oh and on the subject of bottled bacteria, it seemed like Fitz might have helped speed things up some, and that’s the only live bacteria in a bottle I know of. I’ve had absolutely no results using anything else. I’m pretty much of the opinion that it’s a waste of money and in some cases may slow down the growth of the bacteria that you want. Throwing in some substrate from a previously cycled tank is the most effective aquarium starter I have used. Has anyone else ever had any significant speed up to their cycle with something from a bottle?
Seachem stability is in my opinion the only BB worth it’s price. Dr. Tims is great to. I have had nothing but good experience fish in or out.
 
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duanes

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Although I used a Python siphon for 40 + years, when I moved, I didn't want to drag it to Panama,
so these days I do water changes every day using a couple 1 gallon cranberry juice containers.
Makes using the old water on my garden, and for flushing toilets simple .
Some of the worst stuff collects on the surface (air water interface) anyway.
fullsizeoutput_146d.jpeg
 

jaws7777

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Although I used a Python siphon for 40 + years, when I moved, I didn't want to drag it to Panama,
so these days I do water changes every day using a couple 1 gallon cranberry juice containers.
Makes using the old water on my garden, and for flushing toilets simple .
Some of the worst stuff collects on the surface (air water interface) anyway.
View attachment 1373610
Why not use a garden hose. Might even make watering the plants easier
 

duanes

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Yes for adding water, I do use a garden hose (and then also, there's the rain).
I'm sure Pythons (or something like it) are available here, just haven't gotten around to getting one yet, I only make it to the mainland once a week, and then only have 5 hours to get everything from basics like groceries and beer, to tools, and for paying the bills, within 5 hours to get the last ferry back .
Living in an island paradise has its ups and downs.
 
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