When I started the first time back in 2010 I started the cycle with a damsel (because that's what the LFS said to do and me being eager to get fish in the tank). Several years of heartache and disappointment and finally had a couple fish that made it through. I got out in 2014 after my first child was born. Got back in this February and have QT'd everything. I'm able to keep more finicky fish alive and now I'm almost done cycling my new 120 fish only tank.
Sorry for the story but it is something everyone learns one way or another. This time around I wasn't taking the chance and it is paying for itself even with the added cost of setting up QT's. I now have 2 QT tanks and my old 30 gallon DT plus the 120 that will have fish transferred to it very very soon (days away)!!
Just keep at it and decide, through research and past experience of others here, how to proceed. You can do this and be successful!
Sorry for the story but it is something everyone learns one way or another. This time around I wasn't taking the chance and it is paying for itself even with the added cost of setting up QT's. I now have 2 QT tanks and my old 30 gallon DT plus the 120 that will have fish transferred to it very very soon (days away)!!
Just keep at it and decide, through research and past experience of others here, how to proceed. You can do this and be successful!