Bait Minnows used as starter fish?? GOOD OR BAD?...

Azirail

Azirail

Not Helpless Just Need Help.
Apr 20, 2010
23
0
0
50
Rusk,Tx
just want to know if i was going to do a 200 gal tank cycle would it be a good idea or bad idea to use Minnows. I can buy 3 dozen bait minnows for 2 bucks a dozen from my local back woods town fish bait store.
any tips on how to go about it if i do (never had to cycle such a big tank or would it be better to do a fishless cycle. Please help.. thanks
 
cellodaisy said:
What would you do with them after the cycle?
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I have a 30gal and a 50 gal i would put them in there and let them live it out..lol...not going to just flush them or use them as Bait. thats just mean...lol...:devil:and i not that mean to buy a fish just to cycle a tank and then toss them out. i know peeps do and all im just not one of them thats why i also asked for fishless cycle help as well nver done that. always had small tanks and Koi ponds..
 
Azirail said:
I have a 30gal and a 50 gal i would put them in there and let them live it out..lol...not going to just flush them or use them as Bait. thats just mean...lol...:devil:and i not that mean to buy a fish just to cycle a tank and then toss them out. i know peeps do and all im just not one of them thats why i also asked for fishless cycle help as well nver done that. always had small tanks and Koi ponds..
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Opinions vary on fish-in cycling. Here's a good article about different methods: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598 . If you decide to go with fish-in cycling, then hardy, inexpensive fish would be the way to go. As long as you can provide appropriate living conditions for the minnows, then it seems like they would work. The only other concern would be the possibly increased likelihood of parasites, etc., because they are "just" bait fish, but I don't go fishing so I really don't know if a bait fish is any more likely to be sick than an aquarium fish from the store.

Whatever you decide, good luck with the new tank!
 
I would definitely recommend you do a fishless cycle.

With a fishless cycle no fish gets harmed by the cycle.
 
I feel a fishless cycle is just so much easier. Add ammonia, test, wait...repeat if necessary. As anxious as I get I feel the length is justified.

Not to mention now you're "stuck" with 3 dozen minnows.

If you have an already cycled tank just use the established media.
 
Get some filter media from an established tank to seed your new setup, toss in some fast-growing live plants like Najas, hornwort, or even duckweed (depending on how much light you have) and start stocking slowly.
 
I would do a fishless cycle and QT all new stock in another tank before adding to that big of tank (200 gal). Having to treat a tank that size for parasite/bacteria would be a nightmare.
 
thanks for the live plant idea and on the QT new stock..will keep all that on the list of stuff i got started already.. thanks again guys..
 
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