I have not added any yet. I was to scared after the first try so I'm doing fish less now. Just trying to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Can anyone tell me what my filter should be set to? High, medium, low? Also I posted my water test. When or how soon should I do it again. I'm sorry if I'm being a pain. I read the article just not sure if I understood it. I mean I understand the cycle just not sure I get what I'm suppose to see or when it's ok. Previous post I wrote says this so I'll stop repeating myself. Ty all for help. It makes me feel for more comfortable knowing I have someone to answer my questions and help me on this journey.
Very Confused
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Meeresstille
Fish Addict
The filtration should be strong enough to make a current throughout the tank but not too strong for the species of fish you choose. Most Bettas for example do not really enjoy being thrown around in the flow of the water. Right now, without fish to worry about I don't think the speed is that important.
If you are doing a fish-less cycle you will need to buy some Ammonia (without cleaning solvents, I heard in the US Walmart carries it) and follow the instructions for fish-less cycling. In a fish-in cycling process the ammonia comes from the fish's waste.
Ammonia feeds the bacteria that will convert it into Nitrite, and another type of bacteria needs to build up too convert it into Nitrate.
Ammonia and Nitrite are both toxic, Nitrate is tolerated well as long as it is not allowed to get too high. Live plants will be helpful using up some of these Nitrates.
Once your tank no longer shows any levels of Ammonia or Nitrite, and you have readings of Nitrate your tank is considered cycled. This takes 4 to 6 weeks. It then is safe to add fish. Some only add a few fish at a time, and wait a few weeks before adding any more, while keeping an eye on any Ammonia or Nitrite showing up. By doing water changes you can bring the readings back to safe levels for the fish. Others add the whole stocking at once, since the filter has been conditioned to deal with a large amount of Ammonia.
Once you have a stocked tank, and you decide you want to add any new fish it is wise to put them in a quarantine tank for about 6 weeks. New fish are stressed and more susceptible for infections, and may bring an illness into your tank. This can put your whole community tank at risk. In a QT you can better keep an eye out for any signs of illness and medicate them less costly!
I'm not sure if that clears things up a little better for you. Keep asking questions, it's how we all learn!
If you are doing a fish-less cycle you will need to buy some Ammonia (without cleaning solvents, I heard in the US Walmart carries it) and follow the instructions for fish-less cycling. In a fish-in cycling process the ammonia comes from the fish's waste.
Ammonia feeds the bacteria that will convert it into Nitrite, and another type of bacteria needs to build up too convert it into Nitrate.
Ammonia and Nitrite are both toxic, Nitrate is tolerated well as long as it is not allowed to get too high. Live plants will be helpful using up some of these Nitrates.
Once your tank no longer shows any levels of Ammonia or Nitrite, and you have readings of Nitrate your tank is considered cycled. This takes 4 to 6 weeks. It then is safe to add fish. Some only add a few fish at a time, and wait a few weeks before adding any more, while keeping an eye on any Ammonia or Nitrite showing up. By doing water changes you can bring the readings back to safe levels for the fish. Others add the whole stocking at once, since the filter has been conditioned to deal with a large amount of Ammonia.
Once you have a stocked tank, and you decide you want to add any new fish it is wise to put them in a quarantine tank for about 6 weeks. New fish are stressed and more susceptible for infections, and may bring an illness into your tank. This can put your whole community tank at risk. In a QT you can better keep an eye out for any signs of illness and medicate them less costly!
I'm not sure if that clears things up a little better for you. Keep asking questions, it's how we all learn!
Yes that cleared things up a lot. Thank you so much.
How often should I be testing the water?
Oh also when I started the tank I did add the bacteria chemical from top fin. Does this help with cycle as far as starting the process to get nitrates?
How often should I be testing the water?
Oh also when I started the tank I did add the bacteria chemical from top fin. Does this help with cycle as far as starting the process to get nitrates?
Aw I was like you when I first started out, it was so confusing I nearly gave up.
I would test the water once a week or if you feel there is a cause for concern.
The chemical you used should help, but you need to be using a source of ammonia everyday to mimic a fish.
Fish produce it in a way of poo, urine, uneaten food. You can produce this by adding pure ammonia from the cleaning section of a normal shop or a actual product designed for this at a LFS. Cycle is one for example.
I would test the water every week doing partial water changes every 2 to 3 days adding a water conditioner, what your testing for is for your readings to be 0 and the nitrates to be above 40. This normally takes up to 6 weeks depending on the size of the tank.
Your readings are on track, I would still wait before adding fish doing what I said above.
Its soooooooo frustrating trying to will time to go faster but its all worth it in the end.
Found a Q and A for you.
http
/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle_3.htm
I would test the water once a week or if you feel there is a cause for concern.
The chemical you used should help, but you need to be using a source of ammonia everyday to mimic a fish.
Fish produce it in a way of poo, urine, uneaten food. You can produce this by adding pure ammonia from the cleaning section of a normal shop or a actual product designed for this at a LFS. Cycle is one for example.
I would test the water every week doing partial water changes every 2 to 3 days adding a water conditioner, what your testing for is for your readings to be 0 and the nitrates to be above 40. This normally takes up to 6 weeks depending on the size of the tank.
Your readings are on track, I would still wait before adding fish doing what I said above.
Its soooooooo frustrating trying to will time to go faster but its all worth it in the end.
Found a Q and A for you.
http
/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle_3.htm
Meeresstille
Fish Addict
Hi Mandy, here are the instructions how to do a fish-less cycle. It will tell you exactly what to do when, including when to test your water. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
There is one bacteria starter that people have said has worked for them: Dr Tim's One And Only! (I hope I got the name right)
You could also get some cycled filter material from someone who has an aquarium, it could jump start your cycle. The problem with that is though, that you may introduce their problems (if any) into your tank as well.
Be patient, you can use this time to plan your tank, what fish you'd like and if they make good tank mates, whether they are good candidates for your water...
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/ There is one bacteria starter that people have said has worked for them: Dr Tim's One And Only! (I hope I got the name right)
You could also get some cycled filter material from someone who has an aquarium, it could jump start your cycle. The problem with that is though, that you may introduce their problems (if any) into your tank as well.
Be patient, you can use this time to plan your tank, what fish you'd like and if they make good tank mates, whether they are good candidates for your water...
Hello everyone I have a silly question. My tank has cycled I have 5 long tail leopard danio and 1 Cory. They are doing well have been in there for a couple of weeks. My tank is 29 gallons. I love the danios they are so playful and have become my favorite fish of all times. What I want to know is what is safe to add as far as more fish that are fun and playful.
Lillefishy
Fish Addict
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You need to up the number of cory you have to at least 5, a single cory is an unhappy fish
KieranBoyne
Moved On
Correct. Corydoras are schooling fish and need to be in groups of 5 +, although the more the merrier lol! Ideally if you have the space, 7 is a good number to have. A single one will become stressed on its own and will be more pronw to diseases etc. So yeah, if you can find corydoras of the same species get at least 4 next time you see them, if you have space that is. And what type of danio do you have???Lillefishy said:
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