How do you cycle a tank?

Miikun, my beloved Betta boy just passed away yesterday. To be cautious I completely broke down his 5 gallon tank and cleaned everything, the gravel, the plastic plants, his homes ect. I had cleaned the tank too when he was sick so the filter has a new cartride too with floss. Currently there's a java fern in there that I got yesterday for Miikun, but sadly he was dead when I got home ;.; I read about fishless cycling but how do I get the nitrogen cycle to start? How can I get nitrifying bacteria to form? Will the java fern help since it is a biological entity in the tank? I read some people add ammonia and wait until it turns into Nitrite, then that eventually makes the nitrifying bacteria. I don't want to do anything that will harm the tank so advice is much appreciated!

How do you cycle a tank?
In the wild, and in established tanks, there are nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia from fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates. In a brand new tank, these bacteria don't exist, so any fish in the tank will produce ammonia, which, not being broken down by bacteria, will kill or weaken the fish. So, of course, it is vital to cycle your tank.

There are a few methods. Do you have access to an established tank? These bacteria live in the gravel and in the filter cartridge, so if you can get some from another tank, you can put the bacteria right into your tank (don't let the gravel or filter cartridge dry out). If you do this, in a day or two, your tank will be A OK.

Another way is to get Bio-Spira. It is the actual live bacteria in a little pouch, and your tank will instantly be ready for fish.http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html...



You can also put a source of ammonia into the tank, such as fish food every few days, or a piece of shrimp. You can also use a fish as a source of ammonia, but I don't recommend this - it borders on animal cruelty. Without bio-spira or bacteria from another tank, the bacteria will eventually develop, but it will take at least 2 weeks.



You should invest in an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate testing kit so you can keep an eye on your levels. It's worth the 30$!
Reply:I also agree with Zoe... Chemicals are cool but can lead to trouble... go the natural way...
Reply:This is easy. You don't have to wait for anything to build up. There's a product you can buy in the fish stores called Cycle. It releases thousands of beneficial bacteria in the water in minutes. I normally buy the smallest bottle which treats 235 gallons of water and it cost about $6-8. I add the entire bottle of Cycle to my tank water and filter to speed up the nitrification. Also, as stated on the box, it's impossible to overdose.
Reply:hardy fish, there are no shortcuts, natural is best.
Reply:Most fish can be used to cycle a tank. Get a hardy fish first like a few guppies, platies, or a betta or a few paradise fish. Just leave em in there and it will take care of itself