Finished Cycling

[Ian_Brown]

My tank has just about completed the cycling process (Ammonia and Nitrite are at nil and have been for almost a week). My question is what do I need to do now before getting my fish? (6 spotted Danios and 6 Dwarf Loaches)

Throughout cycling I increased the temperature of the water to about 82-83F. This unfortunately helped speed the demise of my plants. I'm planning to drop the temp to about 72-75 or so, do a couple of big water changes and re-plant the tank. My main concern is that reducing the temperature may adversely affect the filter bacteria. Does anyone thnk it will?

Have I forgotten anything?

Thanks, Ian.

 

[modernhamlet]

My tank has just about completed the cycling process (Ammonia and Nitrite are at nil and have been for almost a week). My question is what do I need to do now before getting my fish? (6 spotted Danios and 6 Dwarf Loaches)

Throughout cycling I increased the temperature of the water to about 82-83F. This unfortunately helped speed the demise of my plants. I'm planning to drop the temp to about 72-75 or so, do a couple of big water changes and re-plant the tank. My main concern is that reducing the temperature may adversely affect the filter bacteria. Does anyone thnk it will?

Have I forgotten anything?

Thanks, Ian.

Nope. The higher temps help the bacteria colony grow faster, but lowering it won't harm them in any way.

 

[SkiFletch]

Nope, sounds like your all good to go. Add your fish and you should be all set. As for the plants, what kind were they, how much light do you have, do you use fertilizers, and do you use CO2? it might not have been the temps that harmed them

 

[Ian_Brown]

Thanks for the replies.

The plants were a bit of a mixed bunch. The shop didn't have them labelled, and I couldn't identify many from my plant book.

I know there were some twisted vallis and some that vaguely resembled cabomba. The others had long pointed leaves which had alternate green and cream stripes. I didnt use CO2 or extra lighting (my tank has two basic tubes), just used my LFS own fertiliser.

The reason that I thouhgt the temperature might be to blame was that I only raised it a week or so into the cycle at which point the plants (especially the vallis.) started to rot.