Cycle question

[sandyd]

Ok let me tell you this story. I got a new 55 on the 8th of August, set it up that day. Next day hubby took all of my fish that were in 1 of my 10's and put them in the 55. Then proceded to take down the 10 and clean everything out for me. He was trying to help as the 9th was my birthday, so there was not much i could say when i got home to find what had happened in my house.
So here is what i did, i took the filter medium out of 1 of my other 10's that no one had "cleaned for me", and put it in the 55. I also took a breeder box and filled it with gravel from another 10 gallon fry tank and put that in the 55. Now i have that and 3 black skirt tetras, 2 head and tail light tetras, 2 swordtails, and 2 guppies in the 55.
I have been closeley checking the water to watch for cycling to start. I have not gotten any readings on Ammonia or Nitrites, but just tested again tonight and have nitrates between 10 and 20. How is that possible? Did I miss the cycle? I also have 5 decent size plants in there, are they messing with my readings? If you have any ideas, i would love to hear them. Thank you Sandy

 

[impur]

There could have been enough bacteria colonies that you seeded it with to shorten the cycle to a day or 2. I did the same thing when i restarted my 55. I put the filter media in the filter of the 55 along with a handful of gravel (also in the filter) and some rocks and plastic plants. I never saw a cycle either. The tank is still runnin strong after 4 months, and no lost fish. I did have 7 giant danios in there when i started it up to help cycle. But i'm positive i put enough from the mature 10 gal to start the 55.

Congrats on getting it up and going so fast. Feels good not to have to worry about your fish going through the cycle huh.

 

[sandyd]

Impur, thank you so much, i thought i was going insane or my testers were messed up or something. Do you think it would be ok to put in more guys or wait a few more days to make sure it is done? I also need to know when it is safe to put my pleco in there as i know he needs to get out of the 10 he is in. How long does it take before there is food in there for him? Thanks again, Sandy

 

[smb]

Impur, thank you so much, i thought i was going insane or my testers were messed up or something. Do you think it would be ok to put in more guys or wait a few more days to make sure it is done? I also need to know when it is safe to put my pleco in there as i know he needs to get out of the 10 he is in. How long does it take before there is food in there for him? Thanks again, Sandy

If you have 0ppm readings for ammonia and nitrites, then you can add a couple at a time or even the pleco now if you want.

When you mean food for the pleco I'm thinking you mean algea? That is hard to say, it depends on your lighting, water sunlight getting to it etc.

I wouldn't just plan on the pleco eating algea to survive, tho. I would get some spirulina discs and throw a couple in there after you shut the lights off. Also zuchinni (sp?) and cucumber slices are great for them. Slice them with the rind on and you'll wake the next morning to just the rinds and you can take them out.

It's better for the pleco to eat that. Besides, some won't even touch the algea in the tanks.

 

[sandyd]

Smb, thanks, yes i meant algae for him. I feed mine a disc every night, and watch him after the lights go off swim with it hanging out of his mouts sucking on it. Sorry it is cute. His name is Proco, kids named him i guess they could not say Pleco. LOL He is my youngests favorite fish, he calls him sucker, he is only 2. LOL I will have to try the zucchini slices and cucumber to see what he thinks, they are too spoiled. LoL
I am still shocked that my Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 this quick. Right now Proco is in with the sword fry, it is too cute, they are riding on his back. He does not seem to mind so i may leave him for a while in there, but will move him if he starts to get aggrivated with them. LOL
Thanks again, so much.
Sandy

 

[smb]

I am still shocked that my Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 this quick.

Yea, I am shocked also. If it weren't for impur explaining it and said he's had it happen to him before, I was going to say that maybe the cycle hasn't started yet. Tells ya what I know.

Proco will love those slices. I can picture him carrying around that disc when you mentioned it. That is cute and pretty funny.

 

[sandyd]

Ok now that we think the cycle is complete, i need some suggestions on who could go in there. At this moment there are 3 black skirt tetras, 2 head and tail light tetras, 2 swords, 2 guppies, and soon Proco. Who is compatible with them? I know that i want some of those little dog looking things, i think they are corys, they stay on the bottom and clean.LOL Sorry not really good with names, kids call them dogs. LOL How many of them in a 55?
Also all other suggestions would be great, i know to add more slowly so i have time to figure it out, i just need suggestions.
I used to have silver dollars, probably not their right name huh, and i thought they were cool, but dont know how they would be with others in the tank. Any ideas?
Smb, if you have a proco, feed him a disc and turn the ligts off and see if yours does it too, it is a great thing to watch. LOL

Sandy

 

[smb]

Cory's would work good in there. Get about 4-5 of them as they like being in a group.

Silver dollars are also another good community fish. They get to around 5". These should also be bought in a group of 4-5 or so. If alone, they get depressed. You can feed them lettuce and spinach among other things.

You have a good mix of low-mid and upper swimming fish that would make for nice viewing.

Pretty much any community fish would be ok in there. I would stay away from any barbs, red tail sharks or bala sharks.

 

[sandyd]

Ok i am taking up all of your time. LOL Would it be ok to put all 5 of the corys in there at 1 time or should i break it up a little? I never owned a 55 before, 29 was my limit. How many fish are safe to add at 1 time in there? i am still going to call them little dogs I know, i am not playing with a full deck, I give them cute little names to keep the kids interested in taking care of them with me, it really helps with water changes and such. I figure if i teach them young, they are now 5 and 2, we can get many more tanks for the house. LOL
Sandy

 

[smb]

LOL, don't worry about taking up my time. It's too hot to go outside so this is what I do and I love learning and helping people.

That's a good trick to use cute names and get the kids interested.

I think it would be fine to add all 5 at once. They're pretty small.

 

[sandyd]

Too Hot outside? Where do you live? I am in Louisiana and its in the high 80's today for the fist time in months, it has been in the 100's.
Thanks again, i will be getting some little dogs for the tanks soon, it will be a good thing, they can help me clean. LOL
Sandy

 

[MaryPa]

Sandyd what type of pleco do you have.Commons pleos and some other will grow to about 20" or more and outgrow a 55 gal.When you add you pleco he`ll be ok if you feed him algae tablets daily.Wow you sure ewere lucky seeding you tank with what you had.

 

[sandyd]

To tell you the truth, i dont know what kind of pleco proco is. I have not been able to find a pic of him anywhere. He kind of resembles a butterfly if that makes any sense. I have looked at alot of pics of plecs and have not been able to find him. I am still looking. The "butterfly" pattern is more on his fins than his body. I will have to find a pic of him somewhere. Thanks
Sandy

 

[jerenycool]

what does a pleco look like i think i have one just do rember its name? u have a pic.?

 

[semper fi]

plecostomus are the sucker fish that attach to the glass or decor of the tank. they eat the algae growing in the aquarium.