my fish tank

[ravyc123]

im a beginner i have a couple questions

Without even cycling my fish tank my tests came back with 0 nitrate, 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia and a 8.4 PH
Now that 8.4 concerns me, Should i put any fish in there? Should i cycle the fish tank even though the tests are fine? Do i need to lower the PH level before i could put any fish in there? If so, how do i do that?

 

[chris allsop]

You will not get a reading for amminia or nitrite until there is somthing in there! i would add stess zhyme which is full of the bacteria that stats the filter.
The PH depends on which fish you want to keep.

 

[ravyc123]

Oh i didnt know that, so i should cycle my tank? something i forgot to add is that i have been keeping the tank running for about a week. i cant find any ammonia to cycle my tank just yet. ive looked around quite a few places. are there any alternatives? maybe i should look harder

 

[chris allsop]

I dont know if people still do this but, ive heard that some add a LITTLE bit of food and leave it in the tank, that will cause ammonia and start the cycle. Or you could add one very hardy fish> Maybe a guppy, molly etc.

 

[nc_nutcase]

what size is the tank?

what do you plan on stocking it with when it's ready?

 

[ravyc123]

my tank is a 25 gallon or close to there, i plan to have 2 blue gouramis a pleco and maybe some more

 

[nc_nutcase]

I know the fishless cycle is the heaviest promoted way of cycling.. and I have nothing bad to say about it... but (always a but isn't there...)

I just cycled a 55 Gal with a bunch of guppies. I had the luxury of 'seeding' the tank with items from an established tank. If you cycle with fish I'd highly suggest you visit a LFS (Local Fish Store) and ask for some gravel from an established tank. Make sure that it stays submerged in water on the way home. Put this either directly in your tank (if you like the color) or in a nylon stocking (other things will work, but that's what I've always used). Leave that in the tank with the guppies and wait... and wait... then wait a little longer... then wait some more (should take about 14-21 days, but feels like 73 months). It's a good idea to monitor the Ammonia/NitrIte/NitrAte to make sure your cycle is complete. There are many other little details you can read about if you research cycling.

Then when you add your Gouramis they have a welcome home snack waiting for them!

 

[ravyc123]

thanks chris and nc. just wondering has anybody ever cycled their fish tank with fish food rather than ammonia? if yea is it different from the cycling thats pinned above? and how so?