Complete Newbie

[Mamashack]

I'd test all the tank parameters at least twice daily (maybe more if they are on the rise and also after a water change to measure the impact of the pwc) as the waste products can build up quickly in a fish-in cycle. If ammonia and nitrIte are less than 0.25ppm it's tolerable but not for long. Anything over that need an immediate partial water change or if nitrAtes get over 40ppm the same applies. pH should be slightly alkaline - up to about 8.2 can be tolerated, but sudden swings can be stressful so monitor that too. If you test with the standard pH test first - that goes up to 7.6. If it shows 7.6 it could actually be higher so then do the high pH test for more accurate result.
You may need to do a few pwc (partial water changes) a day until the tank is fully cycled, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

[cpwebsite]

 
 
Just a precautionary note about the test kit when you get it. Remember that they are chemicals and can be dangerous in the wrong hands i.e.don't let the kids near them! I'd strongly recommend wearing gloves whilst you are testing - can get disposable vinyl gloves anywhere these days. Be careful where you dispose of the tested water. I'm still not happy about putting mine down the sink and rinsing well, I only hope that it gets neutralized before hitting any water supplies again. Does anyone else have any thoughts or recommendations on that?
 
Never really thought about this before, what about starting a new topic on this one?  Also, maybe API themselves may reassure you, if you contact them?

 
I have never thought about this either? I've never used cloves or anything like that, and the chemicals have touched me and not affected it. I do agree with keeping it away from kids though. Also, I just put mine down the sink and have never really thought about that, but I'm guessing it's not much more dangerous than urine in the process of neutralizing it so if your worried just send it down the toilet and it should be taken care of that way.

 

[Mamashack]

I have never thought about this either? I've never used cloves or anything like that, and the chemicals have touched me and not affected it. I do agree with keeping it away from kids though. Also, I just put mine down the sink and have never really thought about that, but I'm guessing it's not much more dangerous than urine in the process of neutralizing it so if your worried just send it down the toilet and it should be taken care of that way.

They may not have affected you, but they may affect someone else especially if they are prone to skin disorders. They are chemical reagents so I think it's better to be safe than sorry.
Have looked at a few threads on other sites as I haven't found one on here yet (may start one) and the general opinion is that it is ok to flush away through the domestic drain (sink or toilet) as it gets well-diluted before it hits the system. One person says he "deactivates" his with baking soda I think it was. Don't know if that works or not.

 

[Arcticfox1977]

Did another test tonight, levels are still the same.

 

[Mamashack]

If your ammonia is still 0.25 I'd do another water change today and keep checking. Might be a good idea to do a small water change frequently rather than a bigger one less frequently until the tank is fully cycled. Did you look at the water pump and hose links I sent, Arctic?
If you're still not sure how to identify when the full cycle has happened, revisit the Beginner's Resource Centre article on it. It's written by someone more experienced than me and why reinvent the wheel? lol

 

[cpwebsite]

I have never thought about this either? I've never used cloves or anything like that, and the chemicals have touched me and not affected it. I do agree with keeping it away from kids though. Also, I just put mine down the sink and have never really thought about that, but I'm guessing it's not much more dangerous than urine in the process of neutralizing it so if your worried just send it down the toilet and it should be taken care of that way.

They may not have affected you, but they may affect someone else especially if they are prone to skin disorders. They are chemical reagents so I think it's better to be safe than sorry.
Have looked at a few threads on other sites as I haven't found one on here yet (may start one) and the general opinion is that it is ok to flush away through the domestic drain (sink or toilet) as it gets well-diluted before it hits the system. One person says he "deactivates" his with baking soda I think it was. Don't know if that works or not.

 
I agree always better to be safe then sorry. Also, I would agree, especially for a toilet that if you put that 10-20 drops of regent in that 1g+ toilet bowl, it's really going to get diluted. Maybe someone should make a thread here for that kind of stuff. "Deactivating" it would baking soda is something interesting, however I would recommend someone calls API and sees what they have to say.

 

[Mamashack]

Think I'll do that today cpw - thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Arcticfox1977]

Will constantly do 10% water changes every day. I bought the gravel cleaner you recommended. Just waiting for that and the fluvial u2 to come, hopefully today.

 

[Arcticfox1977]

10% water change this morning. Values are:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6

 

[Mamashack]

That's looking good! Keep a close eye on it tho as things can change quite quickly. (At least twice a day testing at this stage)
Use the gravel hoover sparingly to begin with - remove the visible waste solids from the surface of the gravel but don't do 100% deep gravel sweeps as some of the friendly bacteria will be developing there. When you do start doing deep gravel cleans only do 25% at a time so that you aren't disturbing it all at once.
You might be able to slot the Marina cartridges into the Fluval U2 chamber then the bacteria you've already nurtured will still be helping until the Fluval is fully seeded too. Not sure on Fluval U2 anatomy! I've only got a U1, but I imagine they'll be similar up to a point.
How are the fish doing? Have they settled in?

 

[Arcticfox1977]

All 3 swimming quite happily. The yellow 1 loves digging in the gravel and nibbling on the rocks. 1 orange is active swimming all over, the other orange a little more relaxed. Everything looks good, I feel happier that I have a water kit. Just waiting for the hoover as there is a lot of fish waste at the bottom. Feeding them once a day with 3 flakes of king British tropical fish flakes, which dobbies gave us with the tank. They eat every flake.

 

[RCA]

....I would recommend someone calls API and sees what they have to say.

I have contacted them in the past (not on this subject) via their website and they were very helpful and quick in responding.
 
 

[deleted text]... I bought the gravel cleaner you recommended. Just waiting for that and the fluvial u2 to come, hopefully today.

Cool, as I mentioned it is good as it comes out at a slower pace than most.  TIP: put your finger over the end before moving it to another part of the gravel, this then stops the flow and you do not loose too much water in-between vacuuming

 
 

[deleted text]
You might be able to slot the Marina cartridges into the Fluval U2 chamber then the bacteria you've already nurtured will still be helping until the Fluval is fully seeded too. Not sure on Fluval U2 anatomy! I've only got a U1, but I imagine they'll be similar up to a point. ...

Not sure on the Marina, but I managed to squeeze my friends Stingray filter sponge into the new U2 I got for them.  If not just keep the two running for awhile as you mentioned before.
 
 

All 3 swimming quite happily. The yellow 1 loves digging in the gravel and nibbling on the rocks. 1 orange is active swimming all over, the other
orange a little more relaxed. Everything looks good, I feel happier that I have a water kit. Just waiting for the hoover as there is a lot of fish waste at the bottom. Feeding them once a day with 3 flakes of king British tropical fish flakes, which dobbies gave us with the tank. They eat every flake.

Sounds great.
Tell us what is the "hoover" you are waiting on - don't you have the gravel cleaner?
 
Check out the Tetra Pro Colour when at MA as I have been very impressed with that food.  Are you happy giving them live food from time to time?

 

[Mamashack]

They will probably be nibbling at algae starting to grow on the gravel and they will eat whenever you feed them. Think I'd be tempted to cut back on the flake by half. I was advised that 1 flake was sufficient for 2 adult platies and that was in an established tank, but don't panic, keep an eye on the tests and the fishes's behaviour and hopefully it will be ok. It doesn't do them any harm to have to graze for themselves every now and then. Maybe one day a week don't feed them at all and they'll have to find food for themselves - gives them something to do besides swim! lol


Quote:
I have contacted them in the past (not on this subject) via their website and they were very helpful and quick in responding.
I'll take a look at the API website later RCA and see what they say.
 
Quote:
Cool, as I mentioned it is good as it comes out at a slower pace than most. TIP: put your finger over the end before moving it to another part of the gravel, this then stops the flow and you do not loose too much water in-between vacuuming

Good tip! It also stops gravel from clogging the end of the nozzle and stopping solid waste getting away.


Catch up later - pooch is getting anxious for his walk! lol

 

[Arcticfox1977]

2nd test today.
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6

 

[Mamashack]

I'd do another water change. It's going to be tedious for a few weeks if not a couple of months, but it will be worth it in the end. The beauty of fishless cycling is it takes less time and there's nothing to harm, but if you're prepared to do regular tests and water changes it will become cycled eventually.