43 replies to this topic

[pumpkinnose]

OK. To begin I cleaned the 10 gallon aquarium out with no chemicals Saturday night due to the single goldfish I had in it had died (which we had had for 3 years). We also have a algae eater that has been with us just as long as the Goldfish. We replaced these items because these items had stopped working. After doing that we ran the new filter and air pump we had to replace that whole night. Yesterday we went and bought 5 sunset red Platies and 1 Panda Platy (Yes I know this many fish will become to big for this small of an aquarium eventually. Plan to get a bigger aquarium later). We placed all of our fish into the aquarium and I found this forum. Started reading and found out I had two too many males to female ratio (1 female to 2 male) so have replaced 2 Sunset with 2 new Panda which now gives a ratio of 1:1 (may not be ideal I'm not sure). Also replaced the 2 sunset platies with the pandas due to the fact that my single panda was being harassed and hid the whole time and I noticed she was missing scales. She seems happier now with 2 more of her own coloration. I also bought a Ammonia Nh3/Nh4 Test Kit by API (
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) and did a test not even 24 hrs after adding the fish. This is the test that has the glass test tube and you add 2 different solutions to it. The test showed 0-.25 ppm (mg/L) ammonia. This was done at 12:09 pm CST. Have plans to check again tonight before I go to bed about 8 or 9 pm CST.

As I said please feel free to comment as you see fit just no comments that I'm stupid or anything. I'm trying to make my kids happy who are 8 and 4 years old. I am willing to take any comments or suggestions that anyone has about Fish-in Cycling. Plus I will be updating this daily.

Thanks.

[DanTheFishMan11]

they wont get to big ive got a 10 gallon with a siamese fighter a bristlenose plec 5 otocinclus catfish 6 xray tetras and 6 amano shrimp

[phoenixgsd]

welcome, what type of algae eater do you have? 0.25 ammonia is as high as you want to let it get in a fish in cycle, you should be thinking of doing a water change, you will find that will be a daily chore, get your children to help, my son loves to help, you will also require a nitrite test in the near future and yes i believe you will need a bigger tank, i work in litres but i dont think 10 gallons is big enough for your stocking, i could be wrong though? someone with more experience will answer that one no one will say your stupid, we are all guilty of mistakes, the only thing with fish in cycling is loads and loads of big water changes

[pumpkinnose]

I have a basic Trinidad Pleco. My tank is about 37 liters. I'm pretty sure that each of my Platies get 2" long and the Pleco can get up to 11" and Smith and Foster Website suggest a 70 gallon tank just for him but he's still small so they should be okay for awhile I hope. I was thinking of changing the water by 2 gallons if needed tonight and there on when I check it before I go to bed. If not it will probably be changed tomorrow afternoon. I will look into getting the nitrate test next week after we get paid again.

[DanTheFishMan11]

im not sure 37 litre is 10 gallon

[Electric Warrior]

im not sure 37 litre is 10 gallon

In US gallons, it is.

[pumpkinnose]

im not sure 37 litre is 10 gallon

I went put in "how many litres is a 10 gallon fish tank and looked at this page how any litres is a 10 gallon tank It tells you 10 US gallons = 37.8541178 liters. I just did not feel like typing it all or rounding up which if I had rounded up I would of said 38 litres.

[DanTheFishMan11]

ok

[pumpkinnose]

Retested aquarium and it still seems to be sitting at .25 ppm (mg/L) Now I'm debating about going ahead and changing the water or waiting and doing it tomorrow night. Also I probably should say the aquarium says its sitting at 94 degrees/34 Cel. This may have a factor to my problem.

[DanTheFishMan11]

thats hot water try a cold WC that should break down both problems

[pumpkinnose]

thats hot water try a cold WC that should break down both problems

25% or 50% w/c?

[DanTheFishMan11]

i would do a 50% WC but only cold enough to bring your temp down to about 75 degrees F

[pumpkinnose]

Ok. Working on that now and only got 2 gallon out of it.

[DanTheFishMan11]

i reccomend you get the API Master Liquid test kit to test everything in your tank INC: pH, High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate levels

its pricey kinda but im 13 so dont have much cash but its well worth it

[pumpkinnose]

Am going to work on that next week on at least the Nitrate and Nitrite.

Also I just noticed something on the something on my AquaSafe bottle by Tetra Aqua. It says it has a BioExtract that is suppose to contain natural biopolymers which support the development of beneficial filter bacteria for healthy and clear water. Is this maybe why my Ammonia is at .25 ppm (mg/L) the two times I've checked the Ammonia? I'm not going to stop just because the bottle says that or the fact that the Ammonia has been at .25 the two times I have checked it.

[DanTheFishMan11]

i honestly don't know about that one but there are chemicals out there to decrease nitrate although i hate using chemicals in my tank.

[Guppytime]

Hi there,

I wouldn't rush out to get a nitrate test kit yet as a fish cycle is usually quite slow. I've just finished one and it took 2 months to fully cycle. I bought an API kit and even though it seems expensive it's cheaper than buying them individually,it will last for ages,I'm still using mine now. One tip for you,when you change water don't go disturbing the gravel too much,just remove the fish waste by vacuuming lightly over the surface. I was too agressive disturbing my gravel and i'm sure this slowed my cycle a lot. I also bought a 1000 litre water change pump for about $15,just drop it in the bucket and put the hose into the tank,then plug it in.It's so easy and saves carrying buckets of water everywhere!

Hang in there,it's a slow process but it will go quicker once the ammonia dissapears!

[phoenixgsd]

ok, this is bad advice, do not not do a cold water change it will shock your fish, your water is very hot, turn the heater down to 25 (ish) and let it cool down slowly before you do a water change with dechlorinated temperature matched water, as already said the API master kit is a must when cycling, as both your tanks are small there isnt enough water in there to dilute the ammonia so its harder work for you, so you will need to test test test, but i will say 37ltr is small for your stocking danthefishman11, also there is confusion between nitrite and nitrate, you will need a nitrite test for your cycling, nitrate is what you have at the end of your cycle when the ammonia and nitrite levels are 0ppm, as you tank is small you will have to do very large daily water changes, you dont need to waste money on gimmicks to remove ammonia ect, its debatable weather they work or not,

ive used tetra aquasafe before with no problems in my cycled tank, my first tank was only 20lts and i used tetra safe start with some success, but in no way did it substitute water changes

Edited by phoenixgsd, 03 July 2012 - 08:59 AM.

[DanTheFishMan11]

i didnt mean freezing cold i meant slightly cold to bring the temp down a bit!

thats what i do and all my fish are fine

mine is 48 i use uk gallons

[phoenixgsd]

i didnt mean freezing cold i meant slightly cold to bring the temp down a bit!

thats what i do and all my fish are fine

that still isnt a good idea, sudden temp changes can and does cause stressed or shocked fish, who in turn often get ill, always change with temp matched water, advising a new member to do a cold water change could kill his fish, especially as he might take your advise literally

Edited by phoenixgsd, 03 July 2012 - 01:21 PM.