Recommended Cycling tank length

[Eelzor]

I went to the pet supermarket today, and the person in charge of the fish section recommended to cycle the tank (fishless) for 1 week before putting fish in. I think i saw in alien annas sig that 8 weeks was the cycling period, but just to clarify the subject, what is the recommeded length for the fishless & fish cycling period?

 

[platypus]

Hiya Eelzor,

I think perhaps some fish shop employees get confused as to what 'cycling' means. When your tank is 'cycled' this means that beneficial bacteria in the tank has been established which means that any ammonia in the water can be converted into nitrite, which can then be converted into nitrate, which is then harmless to fishies.

Actually as you've read AA's sig I'm sure you knew that already so sorry to go on! Anyway the point is that I don't really think it's possible for this process to happen in one week, as even if you add ammonia to your tank straight away, there's no way it can already have been broken down into nitrite, then nitrate. Your LFS employee is sort of right in that you could go ahead and add fish after one week, but then they would be sitting in the tank while it was cycling. This could mean that they a) die, or B) don't die, but aren't particularly happy . Again, I'm stressing the could here because I know loads of people have put fish in after one week, cycled the tank with them in, and they've all ended up OK. It's just a bit of a risk that's all - whereas if you go the fishless cycling route, get some tester kits for ammonia and nitrite, and only add your fish when the levels are 0, then you're much more likely to keep them happy and healthy

Sorry, I know I'm not answering your question as to exactly how long you'll have to wait - the reason for that is I don't actually know! But if you wait until your ammonia and nitrites are 0 then that's a better guide than doing it by time anway.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Eelzor]

thanks plat, ill get a pH water tester as soon as possible to determine when to add the fish. So you can add the fish when the ammonia level is 0. (Even if it becomes that in 3 days -even though it won't)

BTW : does the tester do ammonia+nitrate checks?

 

[platypus]

So you can add the fish when the ammonia level is 0. (Even if it becomes that in 3 days -even though it won't)

Not quite - once the ammonia levels start to drop then the nitrite levels will start to rise. Nitrite is still v toxic to fish so you don't want to add any while this is high. However once the nitrite has been converted into nitrate then you can start to think about adding fish. So, only add fish when ammonia AND nitrite are at 0.

You'll need to get separate tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and pH). I was lucky and got a bit kit on special offer which tests for all those plus some other things I've never heard of! But those 4 are the most important.

(Even if it becomes that in 3 days -even though it won't)

he he wishful thinking!

 

[Eelzor]

I don't think you saw my edit but any ways,

does the pH tester do ammonia+nitrate checks in one? Or are they separate, or usually always together?

 

[suemack]

hi - I've only seen the kits that test one thing at a time here (in new zealand) but I'm in one of the northern regions so don't get the greatest selection of fishy products to choose from - and end up with a whole pile of test kits in the cupboard!!!

I think you're safer to wait until ammonia and nitrites are nil as nitrite is pretty dangerous to fish too

good luck with your tank

 

[platypus]

I don't think you saw my edit but any ways,

*Ahem* I think you'll find I did:

You'll need to get separate tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and pH).

But I obviously wasn't very clear! Sorry, I was trying to say I think they are always separate - pH testers do NOT check for ammonia and nitrite.

 

[Eelzor]

Anyway, I know what to get now. Questioned answered, tnx.

 

[platypus]

Good luck!

 

[Eelzor]

lol, sry bout this, but one last verification, I know ammonia level should be 0, nitrite level should be 0, and pH would be according to the fish, but what should the nitrate level be?

 

[platypus]

He he, actually, I was hoping you wouldn't ask me that....

Erm, anybody?

 

[Alien Anna]

He he, actually, I was hoping you wouldn't ask me that....

Erm, anybody?

A healthy nitrate level is considered to be between 0 and 50ppm, but if you have plants you might want to keep it a little more between 10-25ppm, since plants need nitrate to grow. Some fish are very nitrate sensitive and can't cope with nitrates above 25ppm and some fish (goldfish and danios, for instance) seem fine a nitrate levels of 75ppm.

Apart from the effect on fish, a very high nitrate levels can lead to nasty algae problems.

 

[Eelzor]

ok, I'll be having 2 salmontail cats, without plants. These are my questions,

1.What would be the best nitrate level for this be? The scientific name is Arius leptaspis.

2. How fast does the Salmontail cat grow? (E.g 1 inch per year, 5cm a month, etc)

 

[Eelzor]

hey, waita second one more thing...no one answered my first question!

My starting post-

I went to the pet supermarket today, and the person in charge of the fish section recommended to cycle the tank (fishless) for 1 week before putting fish in. I think i saw in alien annas sig that 8 weeks was the cycling period, but just to clarify the subject, what is the recommeded length for the fishless & fish cycling period?

Ok, that's 3 questions to be answered! All help welcomed!