Cycling Question

[rossyk]

Hi there. I set up a new 60L tank last Tuesday and was persuaded (in my unread, naive state!) to add two glowlight tetras on Friday. Having since read up on nitrogen cycling, I've been testing the water daily, expecting a spike in ammonia. A bacterial bloom as come and gone and the water testing has revealed no ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite to date. Is it possible that the tank is already cycled, or should I be expecting an ammonia spike pretty soon? The fish seem happy and healthy at the moment.
 

 
 

 

[chokko]

got plants in there, that might be absorbing the small amount of ammonia the tetras generate...before the filter gets any ?

 

[rossyk]

No, only fake plants. Oh, and testing with master testing kit.

 

[fluttermoth]

Two glowlights aren't going to be producing much ammonia, so it will take time to build up to a level your tests can detect it at.
 
Just keep on testing daily, and be prepared for water changes, if they're needed.
 
I would be inclined to add a load of live plants and a few more fish. I wouldn't normally recommend adding fish to an uncycled tank, but glowlights do need company; about three more glowlights, but only if you add enough plants to almost fill the tank (you'd need at least 75% of the tank's base covered); do not add more fish if you're not doing the plants as well.

 

[rossyk]

Thanks guys. I thought it might be a bit too soon for the tank to be cycled. I've been a bit wary of real plants since I'm a total beginner and know very little about suitable plants. I've also heard that snails are often a problem when using real plants. Could anyone suggest suitable plants for glowlights? I'm hoping to add some guppies too, when the tank is cycled. So glad to have some experts to consult!!

 

[fluttermoth]

For the moment, I would suggest you go with one of the plant collections you can get on eBay.
 
Some of the plants won't do so well in your tank and will die off, but others will do well and spread out.
 
You will almost always get snails with live plants, but if you don't overfeed your tank they shouldn't become too much of a problem.

 

[rossyk]

That's great, thanks. Will check out ebay. 

 

[Shaddex]

For the moment, I would suggest you go with one of the plant collections you can get on eBay.
 
Some of the plants won't do so well in your tank and will die off, but others will do well and spread out.
 
You will almost always get snails with live plants, but if you don't overfeed your tank they shouldn't become too much of a problem.

 
Sorry, but have to disagree with the Ebay recommendation !
 
Bought plants from ebay before, and all I can say is snails, snails, snails. !
 
May have just been the few batches that I had in the past, but I now steer away from ebay for plants.

 

[leighton_87]

If your after plants I'd recommend the following

http/www.plantsalive.co.uk/aquarium-plants/all-tropical/coldwater-collections/18-collection/prod_43.html#.UQfLk-dYCc0

Don't be put off by the amount of plants - the quantity is individual stems not what I'd call plants.

As mentioned some will die off but some will flourish as spread quickly.

I found it the cheapest way to fin out which plants did and didn't work.

Also I didn't get any snails with them but that can never be guaranteed.

 

[byork]

I wouldn't just add any plant to an uncycled tank that already contains fish. Especially if you have never had plants, and planning for some of them to die is asking for a cycle problem. I would chose a very hardy plant that is known as a "fast grower". Depending on what you would like to ultimately accomplish with your tank there are lots of great floating plants (limnobium laevgatum also known as frog bit or ceratoperis cornuta also known as floating fern) that are known to be very hardy and great for absorbing excess nutrients (nitrates) from the water column, or stem plants that can tolerate a wide variety of water parameters. A Hygrophila species would be a nice choice. Most Hygrophila are very hardy, can tolerate a lot of abuse, and light levels. As for snails...they can be a nice addition to a planted tank. Some species are great as part of a cleaning crew. However, most of the time when buying plants the snails you get aren't the ones you want. Snails create a LOT of waste! Not what you want in an uncycled tank with fish. There are techniques to disinfecting plants that will kill snails and snail eggs. Some to mention are bleach, potassium permanganate, alum, and quarantine everyone has their own opinion about what works best, you should chose for yourself. For now adding some additional plants fake or something live but hardy would help the tetras feel more secure and after the tank is cycled add more tetras at least a group of 5 but 7 or more would be better.Best of luck!

 

[rossyk]

Thanks for the great advice, everyone!. After some consideration I decided on some hardy plants - including Hygrophila - and 2 more glowlights. The tank actually looks much nicer now and I haven't seen any snails (although there may be eggs). The tetras seem happier in a group of four, but definitely won't add more fish until the tank is cycled. If it turns out that snails become a problem, what's my best option for controlling them?

 

[byork]

Assassin snails are my preference. I also smushed the less desirables against the glass when cleaning or pruning are the fish love it!! Loaches are good to but can be delicate. I have a knife fish that seems to like pond snails. Assuming you don't want to use chemicals.

 

[snazy]

Off the main topic a bit, but snails would only multiply to the point of annoyance if the tank is overfed. I only had them multiply so much in frys tank that got fed a lot. And even then, the snail poop produced is a product of the beak down of uneaten food and debris which is a lot easier on the filter bacteria, that would otherwise have hard time processing it, and possibly aid into harmful bacteria outbreaks instead.
 
If you go planting, chose your plants carefully because instead of a silent cycle with plants you may end up with melting plants all over the place and high readings of ammonia and nitrIte. I'd say keep it up with the two fish, test daily because a spike can happen any time, and do water changes if you get a reading of either ammonia or nitrIte. In 4-8 weeks the cycle will be over, so you can stock gradually.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Easy plants to add with no real lighting issues... java fern and anubias...  These can be added to the tank via rocks, wood, etc.  They prefer not to be rooted in the substrate directly - they have a green horizontal "stem-looking" thing, called a rhizome that needs to be kept in the flow of the tank.

 

[rossyk]

Excellent - thanks guys!