dazbud
Fish Fanatic
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2012
- Messages
- 150
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi there,
New to the hobby and a bit confused about the whole cycle business. Not sure if I am doing anything wrong or whether I just need to wait.
Set tank up about 6 weeks ago. Used the aquael bacteria sachet that came with the tank though no fish added at that time.
Had a bacterial bloom after 3 days. Did a couple of 50% water changes and added the plants.
Water was clear after a week.
Added first fish at start of week 2 and have been adding a few each week (on the advice of the pet store)
From week 2 onwards I have been doing 15% water change weekly, and using Seachem Prime in the new water before adding.
Using two different water test kits. strips and API master kit.
My amonia levels are usually 0.25% daily, occasionally go up to 0.5% then drop again. (I understand that Prime detoxifys this anyway)
Nitrites appeared at 0.25% for three days in about week 4. But have never shown again.
I've not seen any nitrate yet.
All the fish seem really happy, swimming, eating and breathing OK, quite a few of them continuously graze on the plants and gravel all day.
no fish deaths or unusual behaviour
Some of the plants have doubled in size.
I'm only really wanting to add a couple more swarf gourami and perhaps a few more neon tetra.
I'm concerned that this far in there is no nitrite or nitrates. Shouldnt the tank be showing some signs of cycling by now considering the number of fish in it?
Have I pushed it too far and just been lucky?
100L tank (70cm x 35cm x 40cm)
Water stats are :
Amonia between 0.25 and 0.5 (tested daily)
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
PH 7.6
temperature 25.5C
gets between 4 and 10 hours of flourescent light per day
weekly 15% water change with Prime.
Gravel lightly vaccummed to remove debris
17 assorted small community fish (none over 1.5inches currently, and none with expected size over 3 inches)
4 live plants
2 apple snails - very active
feed daily (different food each day of the week, flake, pellet, frozen, algae wafer)
airstone and fanplus2 internal filter (450 l/hr)with venturi
New to the hobby and a bit confused about the whole cycle business. Not sure if I am doing anything wrong or whether I just need to wait.
Set tank up about 6 weeks ago. Used the aquael bacteria sachet that came with the tank though no fish added at that time.
Had a bacterial bloom after 3 days. Did a couple of 50% water changes and added the plants.
Water was clear after a week.
Added first fish at start of week 2 and have been adding a few each week (on the advice of the pet store)
From week 2 onwards I have been doing 15% water change weekly, and using Seachem Prime in the new water before adding.
Using two different water test kits. strips and API master kit.
My amonia levels are usually 0.25% daily, occasionally go up to 0.5% then drop again. (I understand that Prime detoxifys this anyway)
Nitrites appeared at 0.25% for three days in about week 4. But have never shown again.
I've not seen any nitrate yet.
All the fish seem really happy, swimming, eating and breathing OK, quite a few of them continuously graze on the plants and gravel all day.
no fish deaths or unusual behaviour
Some of the plants have doubled in size.
I'm only really wanting to add a couple more swarf gourami and perhaps a few more neon tetra.
I'm concerned that this far in there is no nitrite or nitrates. Shouldnt the tank be showing some signs of cycling by now considering the number of fish in it?
Have I pushed it too far and just been lucky?
100L tank (70cm x 35cm x 40cm)
Water stats are :
Amonia between 0.25 and 0.5 (tested daily)
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
PH 7.6
temperature 25.5C
gets between 4 and 10 hours of flourescent light per day
weekly 15% water change with Prime.
Gravel lightly vaccummed to remove debris
17 assorted small community fish (none over 1.5inches currently, and none with expected size over 3 inches)
4 live plants
2 apple snails - very active
feed daily (different food each day of the week, flake, pellet, frozen, algae wafer)
airstone and fanplus2 internal filter (450 l/hr)with venturi