A Fish Tank For Children, Some Advice Please...

[upsy daisy]

I thought I was remembering plastic plants?

upsy, you're performing all tests waiting the right amounts of time and following all the shaking instructions, right?

WD

I added two rubbery plants that sway in water for children (while they wait for water to become right for fish). But I would like a few real plants, too.
I am following instructions, do you think the results are off, is something not looking right?

On 20th of April I added 2.5 ml ammonia + a few flakes fish food. Same night I tested the water in the evening and ammonia was at 3.
Tonight, 22/04 pm results: pH 7.9, ammonia 1.5, nitrite 0, nitrate about 0

 

[waterdrop]

Actually your cycle looks like its going pretty well!

 

[upsy daisy]

Looking in my tank today realised that "algae" I cleaned off tubing and decorations the other day was actually some sort of fungus, as there are still bits of fungal like jelly floating around in water..

Excitement, excitement! Finally some change in nitrates and also nitrite!
pH 7.9, ammonia 0.5, nitrite 0.2, nitrate 3

25/04 pm pH 7.9, ammonia 0.25, nitrite 0.5, nitrate 3-4

 

[waterdrop]

 

[upsy daisy]

26th April
pH about 7.8, ammonia almost 0, nitrite 0.1, nitrate about 0

What I wonder about is, at the beginning I added a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to increase the pH, but even though I have done 2 fairly large water changes it has not decreased as rapidly as I expected. If Iwent for glowlight tetras how would they cope? It says they prefer pH to be from 5 to 7.

 

[waterdrop]

What is your tap water pH? WD

 

[Gvilleguy]

I can see by reading this entire thread that I have joined the right fish forum. I am impressed with the kind help provided to the newer users here without a noob mentality. I am 7 days into my fishless cycle and will start a thread tomorrow to post my testing results and ask questions as needed. I am glad things appear to be going well with your cycling, Upsy Daisy!!

 

[upsy daisy]

Our pH is about 7.1
Thanks and I hope it all goes well for you Gvilleguy!

This morning tested ammonia, came about 0, so I added 2.5 ml ammonia again. When I tested a while later ammonia was at about 4. Let's wait and see now...

 

[OldMan47]

The 4 ppm of ammonia is just fine for cycling a new tank fishlessly.
A pH of 7.1 will be fine for almost any fish except some livebearers. Being a rare livebearer breeder, I view lower pH values like that as suspect, but most community fish will really love it. It will work for your glow lights almost like a tonic. Angels and cories will also appreciate such water along with many, perhaps most, of the South American fishes. African cichlids will prefer the harder and higher pH water that I get from my tap but each of us must adapt to the water we have. In my case, I can choose from many African fishes and most of the new world livebearers. In your case, many of the fish that I keep would work but you also have the flexibility to keep most South American fishes.

 

[upsy daisy]

Thanks OldMan47, but the prob is that at the moment, after adding baking soda for bacteria breeding purposes the pH is about 7.8. I have changed water twice (40% both times) but the pH is doesn't want to go down too well. I am hoping that I don't have much time left to cycle the tank, so I am slightly concerned.

Plus, my waterfilter has expired Thread Still Cycling And Powerfilter Died! My husband bought a replacement, but it has carbon type sponge inside, as well as regular sponge. I have to read up on what carbon does to your tank..

At this point in my cycle is it recoomended to add the plants yet, or should I wait a bit longer?

 

[Gvilleguy]

I hope you work out the filtering issues. I'd also be curious to see a pic of your tank - have you posted one somewhere yet?

 

[upsy daisy]

My tank is hardly anything to boast about, it's really small and really meant for kids amusement (it has tacky decorations). When I get some real plants I will take a picture!

 

[Gary D]

My tank is hardly anything to boast about, it's really small and really meant for kids amusement (it has tacky decorations). When I get some real plants I will take a picture!

Don't worry about it

Our tank is the same - it would have some of the purists on here cringing

It has a "No Fishing" sign, a Hydor bubble/light thing which throws up a stream of red bubbles, and an air powered treasure chest from which a big bubble of air gets emitted every couple of minutes!

However, my girls absolutely love it - especially the treasure chest - and after all, they were the reason we got started and set the tank up in the first place.

I will post some pictures when it is stocked.

Gary.

 

[upsy daisy]

It has a "No Fishing" sign, a Hydor bubble/light thing which throws up a stream of red bubbles, and an air powered treasure chest from which a big bubble of air gets emitted every couple of minutes!

Cool! We have a crocodile who clops it's jaws, a shipwreck and a few plastic fish!

 

[upsy daisy]

I got a surprise today, the pH is up to 8.3 again from 7.8. Maybe it's due to the new filter? I am sure I did everything accurately. Otherwise statistics not encouraging at all. Seems like it's dragging on and on and on..

03/05
Tonight pH is on 8 again.