Recent content by ole tarantula

I cycled with fish with no problems. It does take a while. Daily testing for ammonia initially indicates when to perform water changes, Nitrite testing will indicate the presence of the first lot of beneficial bacteria. The ammonia will then quickly drop. Then focus on the nitrite levels...

I have some neons, will they be able to tolerate the salt? Also what type of salt?

One of my Mollies has had fungal growths for a few days now which I've been treating with King British fungicide. It has not really had much of an effect. The fungus on the tail has reduced but further growths are emerging elswhere. Today I've noticed that there is a red patch on the operculum...

I am in the process of treating my fish for fungus and have introduced a treatment after removing the carbon filter. I have replaced the carbon filter with a piece of sponge, cut to size. Am I right in assuming that the sponge is a better medium to support bacterial growth than the carbon one...

I have neons in the tank too so I'm reluctant to add salt. Will the medication you mention affect them? Thanks for such a fast response. I've only noticed the fungus today so it appears to progress quite quickly.

One of my Mollies is showing some white cotton wool-like 'growths' on both side fins and tail. I think it's fungus. What's the best way to progress? The other fish are showing no signs yet. Any advice welcome.

Won't the salt leech out of the wood and affect the salinity of your water? Boiling water would be better surely?

It's small! 5 (UK) Gallons. Yeh I know 'that's not a fish tank it's a vase'. Thanks for the comments! It's a shame that this forum isn't mentioned at the LFS. Ive learned so much from everybody in a very short period of time.

Elodea is Canadian pond weed. I added about 5 or 6 20cm long strands, tied together and weighted into the gravel. With the current readings should I do a water change to lower the nitrites or will this just retard the growth of the bacteria that's needed to do the job?

I would be really grateful if someone could give their opinion on the following readings... Friday: Amm=2 Nitrite=2 Nitrate=10 Sat: Amm=1 Nitrite=2 Nitrate=10 Saturday eve I added some Elodea Sun: Amm=0 Nitrite=2 Nitrate=5 Tests were made using API...

I do want to cycle the tank but I don't want my fish to die. I accept that ammonia is required initially but obviously it needs to be fairly low to ensure the health of the fish. I know that any ammonia is toxic but what is the minimum level neede to create cycling? I can really see the value...

I have a 5 gallon tank with a carbon filter (as well as a biological one) which needs to be changed once a month. I tested the water for ammonia yesterday with API master test kit and got a very high reading (>4ppm!). I did a 50% water change and I'll test again later today. The tank has been...

Thanks for that. I shall take your advice immediately!

I now realise that I was given duff information at the fish shop, but I introduced 6 Neons into a 5 Gallon(UK) tank one week after the tank was set up and left running. (The 'information' provided by the manufacturer of the tank said to introduce fish after 24hrs!). They appear ok after 3 weeks...

Thanks for your comments What would be the minimum tank size that could support the fish I already have?