Need helpbefore buying my fish today

[stuhall1973]

Hi,

I have received some excellent advice so far. I have been running a 30 gallon tank now without fish for two weeks, i am going down to my lfs today with a sample of the water. Just so i know, what would be the ideal reading?. I don't want the lfs to just say all is ok to get me to buy some fish (they shouldn't anyway) but you never know.

Oh, and another question - if the water reading is ok, what is the best time to be thinking about a water change? (haven't done one yet)

If all is ok, and the readings are fine i was thinking of putting in 5 zebra danio's to start with, and then monitor and leave the tank for about 4-6 weeks befoe placing anymore fish in.

Appreciate any help you can give.

Stu.

 

[The-Wolf]

have you been doing a fishless cycle? I.E have you been adding ammonia to the tank?

 

[stuhall1973]

Ammonia has not been that easy to find (in the UK). My lfs recommended Aquasafe & Stresszyme. I have been using these as per the instructions for the last two weeks. I did mention to them about cycling and they said it was an American thing and not necessary, as long as you took precautions and used the solutions i was given.

They seem a reputable store !!

 

[The-Wolf]

lesson one;
never belive the lfs, as they just want ot sell you things.

 

[jflowers]

I did mention to them about cycling and they said it was an American thing and not necessary, as long as you took precautions and used the solutions i was given.

LOL You just have to Laugh at LFS's sometimes, or cry. An american thing indeed, fishless cycling may have been an american thing, not sure, but surely the nitrogen cycle has been known about for a while now.

Jon

 

[stuhall1973]

I must say, my tank has been running for 4 years with coldwater fish before, i have cleaned the tank out, but some of the goodness from the previous years must still remain surely, the lfs said this would help and recommended me taking a water sample in after two weeks to test.

so all this asside, what should be my readings (if all is ok), and would five zebra danios be ok to start with.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Your readings will definitely be ok, you haven't even added anything to the tank. The only point on taking readings is when you want to see if the cycle has been completed. You haven't even started it.

P.T.

 

[jflowers]

Your readings should be...

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Low, there will usually be some even straight from the tap.

However, these readings are imaterial, as you havn't cycled and as PT says, your readings will be perfect. If you want, get the danios and cycle with fish, but they may not all survive the process.

Read the pinned topics on cycling with fish and without.

Jon

 

[northpaul]

the danios are great for cycling the tank be care full not to over feed should take about a month to complete when sorted add your new fish in small groups to give the filter a chance to handle the extra load and you will be fine

 

[yvez9]

if you cycle with fish, change 10-20% of the water every 2-3 days to keep ammonia and nitrite levels low. This will greatly help your fish

 

[OohFeeshy]

Hehe, an American thing indeed... An American thing is thinking double decker buses go past stately homes in London and that we all have afternonn tea and scones....

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Ah, come on... Not all of us think that!!

 

[stuhall1973]

Thanks for all the advice guys, as you said the water levels were ok. The lfs advised my to get two Guppies instead of the 5 Zebra danio's and not to add any fish for a further two weeks.

I will make the 10% water change every 2-3 days as advised, and i also purchased a testing kit to help me along the way.

I am getting brown algae now, and hopefully the tank will have cycled in a few weeks time.

thanks again.

 

[yvez9]

the tank will take most likely take 6-8 weeks to cycle with fish.

As soon as you see a high ammonia reading, change 20% of the water for the fishes sake.

I don't know what those products you've been adding for 2 weeks have done though... they're pretty much watre conditionners that remove chlorine

 

[Slyspy]

Don't take advice from a source that you know to be flawed! Your LFS is misinforming you due to their own ignorance. It will take longer than two weeks for the cycle to complete and you should not add more fish until the process is complete. When you readings read ammonia 0, nitrItes 0 and nitrAtes low once again then you are ready to add more fish. Unless the guppies die in the meantime, in which case you will have to start again. Trust the forumites here before your LFS when it comes to cycling and fish welfare.