How To Make Cycling Easier On A Goldfish? Options

[Hamad]

I was away from home for about a year and while I was away I had a tank set up there and before coming back I gave away all the fish except one that I brought with me. I didn't really calculate things when I decided to bring the poor oranda with me.

I have a 2 ft tank that I filled with water already and I'm going to add the heater and a filter soon [didn't decide yet, I have many filters around and not sure which one to pick...might end up using two sponge filters cause it's not a large set up and just one 5" fish].

Now I know that once I put everything together and have the fish released inside, the next step is waiting for ammonia to rise and the cycle process begin. I really love this fish and I don't want to loose it or have it stressed up because of cycling the tank. I don't know anyone that has a tank to keep the fish with him/her so it's stuck with me.

Is there anyway to make the tank's cycle go easy on the fish? Like perhaps changing 50% of the water daily? Or maybe anyone have other suggestions that would keep the fish comfortable till the aquarium cycles?

Thanks...

[Hamad]

Ohh thanks guys for explaining that!!

So if I go with Metal Halide lamps, they don't have to be for aquarium use right? Because I'm 100% sure there aren't any of those in the stores I went to today.

And in case I couldn't find/order one, could I get green water with a clouded sky or direct sunlight is the only way?

* Thanks for the links HappyBuddha, bookmarked them in case can't find any around!