Just Finish Cycling

[rust81]

I have just finished my fishless cycle, and both Ammonia and Nitrite are returning to 0 within 10 hours or so. I dont plan on stocking the tank until this weekend until i can get to my LFS. Do i need to keep topping up the ammonia levels to 3-4ppm every 12 hours? I dont want the bacteria to die.

Also - should i do a 75% water change now, or the day before i buy my new fish - again not sure on this one!

 

[@ombomb]

yes, the bacteria still needs a source of ammonia

i'd do the water change closer to putting the fish in

 

[rust81]

Thanks for the help. Does the water need to be 'new' water, or can it be water that i have added the ammonia to, as long as the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate levels are all ok?

 

[backtotropical]

Just keep doing exactly what you have been doing, adding more ammonia when it gets back to zero.

Keep doing this until you are going to buy fish. Just before you put fish in, do a 80 - 90% water change, making sure you de-chlorinate the fresh water, then put in fish.

 

[Benihana]

Just before you put fish in, do a 80 - 90% water change, making sure you de-chlorinate the fresh water, then put in fish.

Does just before count as before leaving for the lfs to purchase fish or after returning with fish? It is about a 3 hour round trip for us to go so i'm assuming we can do the change before leaving?

 

[backtotropical]

The later you leave it before the fish are added the better. Obviously it can be impractical to change water when returning from the lfs, especially with a 3 hour round trip, so its a judgement call i think.

If you change it before, your bacteria will be without food for 3 hours.

Just do it at the latest practical time for you, and good luck!

Remember to dechlorinate the fresh water!!