Ch4Rlie's New 3 Foot Tank Journal

[eaglesaquarium]

The plants are going to be bringing in bacteria, so its not all that surprising.
 
 
BTW, I would have suggested a smaller ammonia dose, given the plants.  1-2ppm max.  

 

[Ch4rlie]

Fast update about cycling progress (on both tanks )
 
3 foot tank - 
 
Ammonia - 0.25 ppm
Nitrite - 5.0 ppm (max on API test card)
Nitrate - 80 ppm
 
 
Betta Tank -
 
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0.35 ppm   (not 0.25 and not 0.50 ppm )
Nitrate - 0.80 ppm
 
Everything is going exactly as expected now, just a lot quicker.
So I am pleased things are going swimmingly, now may need to order the fish stocking for the 3 foot tank sooner than expected

 

[Mamashack]

If you want to know how high the nitrite actually is, Charlie, try doing a dilution test. I think TTA says it's ok up to about 16 ppm - above that and it can affect/stall the cycle. 
He explains how to do in part II of his fish-in cycle article if you don't already know. Am so glad I use RO for the shrimp as it means I have some handy for when I need to do a dilution test.

 

[Ch4rlie]

If you want to know how high the nitrite actually is, Charlie, try doing a dilution test. I think TTA says it's ok up to about 16 ppm - above that and it can affect/stall the cycle. 
He explains how to do in part II of his fish-in cycle article if you don't already know. Am so glad I use RO for the shrimp as it means I have some handy for when I need to do a dilution test.

 
Thanks mamshack, was aware of that dilution test, forgot about it to be honest :x
 
By the time i did get round to doing the dilution test, nitrite was already at 2ppm
 
Its now day 4 of cycling, and amazingly both tanks are about already cycled
 
Just doing one last 24 hour test of full ammonia doses then can confirm 100% hopefully by this time tomorrow

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have decided on my stocking numbers, hopefully its agreeable for those who know more about stocking numbers - 
 
Bear in mind the tank is 36 x 12 x 15 inches, 3 foot long but only 15 inch high, moderately planted at the moment but will eventually be densely planted with co2 set up.
 
 
Celestial Pearl Danios :   x 25
 
Red Dwarf Rasboras :    x 15
(if can get any) 
 
Rosy Loaches :              x 15
 
All these fish are small fish, average lengths of 20 - 30 mm 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I think that would be a rather aggressive stocking plan.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I think that would be a rather aggressive stocking plan.

Aggressive?

As in too many or as in aggressive behaviour?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Too many.  Sorry for the ambiguity.

 

[Ch4rlie]

'Tis all good, Eagles, no need for apologies.
 
Hmm, right, so done another number crunching for stocking numbers...
 
CPD :                      x 20
Dwarf Rasboras :   x 12
Rosy Loaches :      x 12
 
Or may go for x 10 of each Rasboras and Loaches.
 
I would like to keep at least x 20 CPDs as think they are fairly skittish fish and think to keep a large shoaling number as possible will help them.

 

[Zikofski]

Okay how many lta is the tank 20 is a good starting number for CPD's but as your doing a bio type I would say. 25/30 max stocking with 12 of the others is a good suggestions unsure on your tank lft tho in comparison to my tank which is 88l
I don't know about the rasboras or loaches but CPD's are peaceful so more numbers is fine? I have around 15 in my tank with 15 neons 2 bn's and plenty more amanos and 6 ottos no dramas so far

 

[Ch4rlie]

The tank is 36 x 12 x 15 inches, forum calculator says its 106 litres / 28 US gals.
 
But do bear in mind thats for an empty tank and water filled to the brim of tank.
 
So using 106 litres, have deducted 12% for substrate and plants, and multiplied by 0.90 and subtracted 0.85, this give a much more accurate figure other than actually measuring how much water you pour into the tank.
 
This gives about 93 litres, but will call it 90 litres.

 

[Zikofski]

Haha yea mines 88l empty and to the brim so your looking at 70mqybe less lft for me but yea 25cpds is fine just se show u go bare in mind these guys are small 20mm at the absolute max and that's in the wild as well so maybe smaller in an aquarium mine are small still my neons have defiantly grown bigger than my CPD's for your loaches I'm guessing they are bottom dwellers as they don't share the same space as your other fish 12 to 16 should be fine, but bare in mind if u have more than one species for bottom dwellers and for midwater

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thanks Zik, will bear that in mind.
 
Have to see if can get Red Dwarf Rasboras though, not sure if my contact at LFS can get these, as I tried searching online for some for sale, not much luck so far tbh.
 
Will probably go to LFS tomorrow to ask if can do an order but guess not gonna be cheap so we'll see.

 

[Zikofski]

Yea they probably can I sae the list at my LFS and they can stock 100s more than they do just not common enough, u may need to put down a deposit too can't wait to see them too

 

[Goggy]

Have decided on my stocking numbers, hopefully its agreeable for those who know more about stocking numbers - 
 
Bear in mind the tank is 36 x 12 x 15 inches, 3 foot long but only 15 inch high, moderately planted at the moment but will eventually be densely planted with co2 set up.
 
 
Celestial Pearl Danios :   x 25
 
Red Dwarf Rasboras :    x 15
(if can get any) 
 
Rosy Loaches :              x 15
 
All these fish are small fish, average lengths of 20 - 30 mm 

i think this stocking plan is fine! it may sound big but its a pretty small amount my dad loves schooling fish right now in his 100 gallon he has 100 rummy noses! and they barely take up space