My first tropical freshwater tank! :)

[Neon1977]

Just a daily update!

Fed the fish a very small amount of their normal pallet food (which they love and always rush round for it like they haven't been fed in a year! lol) all of them were out and eating as normal and look healthy and well Got back in from dropping children off and running errands and googled my two LFS opening times because i want to buy the liquid test kits and both are closed today! So i checked online on the local chain pet store to see how much the kits were going for and it said £35 for the API master test kit! i reallllyyyy don't want to spend that amount if i can help it as im only after the nitrate, nitrite and ammo liquid tests! The other testing i will stick to the API multi stips. Now im really hoping one of the two LFS sell these separately and i don't have to buy the whole bloody kit! But i will if i have to! Anyway couldn't do anything at this point today so worked with what i had again just and did my strip tests again! Results were:

Ammo: between 0-0.5 (same as yesterday BUT the colour on the pad was DEFINITELY lighter than yesterday so can only see that as a good sign! Damn strip tests not giving accuracy!! )
Nitrate: 20 (same as yesterday)
Nitrite: 0!! (lower than yesterday)
PH: between 6.5-7 (same as yesterday, which im happy with as this is PERFECT for my Neons!)
KH: between 0-40 (lower than yesterday)
GH: between 30-60 (same as yesterday)

With my ammo being slightly above zero i did a 50% water change again following this testing! i haven't purchased any live plants yet and won't be until i get all my knowledge on how to take care of them etc as i keep getting conflicting advice! Will spend the next month researching etc and purchase whatever i need to for whatever plants i choose! I say a month as i want to remove the carbon cartridge out of my ciano filter and replace with a filter sponge before adding any live plants and can only do this after around 2 months of the tank running so it has fully cycled and matured as to not harm my fish (and possibly shrimp by then!) And to add on here, my fish have seemed a lot happier since i started the big daily water changes on Saturday! Especially last night, they weren't fighting and actually swimming together again so can only hope they are recovering from the dangerous nitrite spike! That's the update for today hope everyone and their fishes etc are well!

 

[Essjay]

Just to let you know - GH readings usually remain the same unless you are doing something to change it. Putting a limestone rock or piece of coral in the tank can increase GH, for example, because they are made of the same stuff as GH measures.
KH can lower slightly. The natural processes in a tank tend to make it more acidic. KH (carbonate hardness) is a pH buffer; it reacts with these acids and stops the pH dropping and as it gets used up the KH level drops slightly. Once cycling is finished, regular weekly water changes replenish the KH.

 

[Neon1977]

Just to let you know - GH readings usually remain the same unless you are doing something to change it. Putting a limestone rock or piece of coral in the tank can increase GH, for example, because they are made of the same stuff as GH measures.
KH can lower slightly. The natural processes in a tank tend to make it more acidic. KH (carbonate hardness) is a pH buffer; it reacts with these acids and stops the pH dropping and as it gets used up the KH level drops slightly. Once cycling is finished, regular weekly water changes replenish the KH.

Fab thanks for that!

 

[Neon1977]

Daily Update!

Not long been back from shopping work etc, picked up a liquid testing kit from LFS that did me the master kit for £30 which was better than paying the £35 plus postage for the API ! Anyway i knew this was going to be quit interesting seeing as the testing strips have a bad rep! Also picked up two little sponges to go in my internal filter in replace of the carbon cartridge iv taken out of the top thank god! Hopefully the foam at the bottom holds enough good bacteria to not throw my tank off too much during this cycling period! (was due to be changed yesterday and i refuse to keep paying out for cartridges when its not needed and the sponges last for aggeeesss!) And the filter is running 10x better than it was creating lots more surface agitation which i was really pleased about! So.. did the tests.. just WOW! The strip tests yesterday were well off!! I honestly don't even know how they are allowed to sell them when they are that inaccurate!! Sorry if im offending anyone who uses strip tests but try the liquid ones and you will understand! Anyway results were:

Ammo: 0.5
Nitrite: 0.5
Nitrate: 20.0
PH: 7-8 - Perfect

Now because my ammo and nitrite were above 0, iv done a 75% water change! im hoping to see a change within the next few days but will just keep doing what im doing! I haven't fed the fish today because i fed them yesterday, been advised to feed every other whilst my tank is cycling! They seem very happy and healthy though considering they keep getting me changing a crap load of their water every day at the minute lol poor things must wonder what the hell im doing! They were out last night again most the night swimming about and playing, not fighting! So all seems well! Iv decided against getting my plants yet because after watching a guy set up and distribute his own non pressurised co2 in his small tank, thats what iv decided i want to do! His tank was full of lush colours and greens! He used soil but im hoping that tablet fertilisers in my sand will do the job just as well! Im not having the carpet plants like he has but anyone whos interested can take a look at the vids down below of how he made his own and the tank its on after 55 days! Hope everyones well!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Pretty tank!

Your parameters are looking much better than from day one.

I’m not sure why he would recommend only feeding your fish every other day, that’s weird. If they don’t look bloated, I still suggest to feed them every day.

 

[Neon1977]

Pretty tank!

Your parameters are looking much better than from day one.

I’m not sure why he would recommend only feeding your fish every other day, that’s weird. If they don’t look bloated, I still suggest to feed them every day.

Oh no this isn’t my tank! Lol I’m hoping to have a gorg one like this over the next few month though! I want the same tank it’s 30x30x30 someone on this forum just advised me to feed every other day on the cycling process! I may give them a tiny bit later then

 

[Neon1977]

Oh no this isn’t my tank! Lol I’m hoping to have a gorg one like this over the next few month though! I want the same tank it’s 30x30x30 someone on this forum just advised me to feed every other day on the cycling process! I may give them a tiny bit later then

Unless you meant my tank is pretty in that case thank you! Lol and thanks about the parameters! Trying me best!

 

[Essjay]

I’m not sure why he would recommend only feeding your fish every other day, that’s weird.

It is usually recommended to feed fish every other day, or even less, during fish-in cycling. Less food = less ammonia.

 

[Neon1977]

It is usually recommended to feed fish every other day, or even less, during fish-in cycling. Less food = less ammonia.

Thanks essjay! Iv just fed them a tiny bit! lol will just not feed for two days now then! Can I get your thoughts on the post I did about the videos by any chance?? About the home made Co2 and the tank after 55 days.

 

[Essjay]

I've never used carbon dioxide, I have slow growing plants that don't need it and I wouldn't like to risk my fish. Maybe if I was into having aquatic gardens and no fish, then I'd think seriously.
I have heard too many tales of disasters with home made CO2 where the yeast mix somehow got onto the tank and killed the fish, so if I ever used CO2 it wouldn't be that method.

With fish in the tank, as long as you stick with 'easy' plants you don't need to add CO2. The fish breathe it out, and uneaten food/fish poop decays to make it as well. It's only the 'hi-tech' set ups that need added CO2 - and the videos look like hi-tech set ups.

 

[Neon1977]

I've never used carbon dioxide, I have slow growing plants that don't need it and I wouldn't like to risk my fish. Maybe if I was into having aquatic gardens and no fish, then I'd think seriously.
I have heard too many tales of disasters with home made CO2 where the yeast mix somehow got onto the tank and killed the fish, so if I ever used CO2 it wouldn't be that method.

With fish in the tank, as long as you stick with 'easy' plants you don't need to add CO2. The fish breathe it out, and uneaten food/fish poop decays to make it as well. It's only the 'hi-tech' set ups that need added CO2 - and the videos look like hi-tech set ups.

Brill advice thank you! Goes to show doesn’t it what you can see online that looks ok because someone else is doing but clearly looks are deceiving! Il definitely stick to easy plants then without c02 thanks again!

 

[Splashdaddy]

Live plants equals healthier happier fish. Faster growing ones suck up more of your unwanted chemicals. Technically you could add more neons if your tank had lots of plants and kept up the same water change regime but I'd wait because neons are sensitive fish and should really only be added to a mature tank. Yay for LFS again! Neons used to be a hardy fish once upon a time apparently.

 

[Neon1977]

Live plants equals healthier happier fish. Faster growing ones suck up more of your unwanted chemicals. Technically you could add more neons if your tank had lots of plants and kept up the same water change regime but I'd wait because neons are sensitive fish and should really only be added to a mature tank. Yay for LFS again! Neons used to be a hardy fish once upon a time apparently.

I know tell me about it! I would much rather be told the truth than risk my fish becoming ill/dying! The children will be gutted yet again if I have more fish dying because of LFS giving out bad advice! They seem to be ok and healthy at the minute since iv been doing the big water changes but I did notice last night at the front of their head and going abit along their spine that it’s going abit like a pale colour!? It may of been there before and I just wasn’t noticing/looking or maybe il being abit paranoid. Iv looked online at diseases and illnesses etc andit doesn’t look half as bad as some of the pics on there so I don’t really know what to think! None of them are acting differently yet that iv noticed so spose I could just keep my eye on them see what happens! Just so frustrating how these LFS aren’t up front and honest about what to do! I would of done a complete fishless cycle if I had known!

 

[Neon1977]

Here with a daily update!!

Did my daily water parameter check not long ago and things are looking up! Everything's going down so all going in the right direction!

Results were:

Ammo: 0.2
Nitrite: between 0-0.25
Nitrate: 5.0
PH: 7-8 (although colour was slightly lighter than yesterday but not concerned!)

Really happy with these results as they are all going in the direction i want them too! With changing the cartridge over yesterday to just normal sponge, i wasn't expecting to see this much change with the tank still cycling so i was pleasantly surprised! The foam i have kept at the bottom of the filter obviously held enough beneficial bacteria for it to not affect my tank that much. I won't be feeding my Neon's today as they were fed yesterday will wait to see what the results are saying again tomorrow! But for now, with my Ammo and Nitrite being above 0, i did a 50% water change today and will test again tomorrow! Keeping everything crossed for an Ammo and Nitrite free tank tomorrow! Will keep testing every day anyway even if they do show 0 tomorrow and won't add any shrimp until the results stay 0 for Ammo and Nitrite and no Nitrate levels going to 20 or above for at least a week! Fish seem happy and healthy and aren't showing any signs of difficulty as of yet! Although i am finding myself to be a bit paranoid as the LFS told me that all my Neons would likely die when i took a water sample in last week because i told her my Neons were being aggressive towards each other. (stopped since iv done the big water changes) She told me this because when she liquid tested my Nitrite it was saying 4.0! (this was saturday) I was gutted but after coming on this forum i learnt that for a new tank i should be testing my water daily and changing at least 50% of it if my Ammo or Nitrite were above 0!! Whereas the LFS told me a 25% change of water once a week would be enough for a new tank!!! What on earth!! My Neons have this silver/ish colour above their head that runs down their spine, now i don't know if it was there before or it's the first sign of Neon Tetra disease but looking at pics online of this, they don't look even half as bad as that and they aren't showing any other physical signs of stress or abnormal behaviour so i'm not sure what to think!? Any advice/reassurance would be nice if anyone has any! Hope everyone's well!

 

[Neon1977]

Daily update again!!

Ordered my plants online last night, should have a few by tomorrow and the rest by some time next week, can't wait to start growing my underwater jungle and see the benefits to my tank and fish! Did a usual water parameter check this morning and still going in the right direction! Results were:

Ammo: between 0-0.2 (lower than yesterday)
Nitrite: between 0-0.25 (lower than yesterday)
Nitrate: 10.0 (higher than yesterday)
PH: still normal between 7-8

Now if iv researched my info correctly, my nitrate levels have risen from yesterday because my ammo and nitrite levels are lowering, meaning im on the right track of soon to be having a fully cycled tank! I will keep checking every day though and always do a 50% water change if my ammo/nitrite are above 0 or my nitrate is above 20.0! I fed them a tiny/just enough amount this morning before water testing and they seem to be doing fine! I then did a 50% water change again because of my water parameter results! Im really happy though with how everything's going and will keep doing the same thing to ensure my tank is healthy for my fish and that my tank is fully cycled before adding shrimp Hope everyone is well!