Brians Fish In Cycle Log

[brian2708]

63l Jewel Aquarium tank. Setup since jan, and had goldfish in the tank for 2 months, which all died, as I didn't allow tank to cycle, and did not know as much as I do now (and believe me, I am boring the mrs with my knowledge from this site now!!!)

5 Black Tetras
4 Neon Tetras
2 Rosey Tetras
2 Praecox Rainbows (unconfirmed, will confirm later when going to LFS) Congo Tetras

Planted quite heavily, with bogwood.

All results are taken PRIOR to any water change noted.

Tap water- pH 7.6 - 0.25ppm ammonia - oppm nitrite - 5ppm nitrate

17/03/11 - Tank flushed of old goldfish setup, resetup with numerous plants and left to settle.
23/03/11 - Fish added as above. Whoops!!!! 25% water changed every 3 days until I stumbled upon this forum and learnt of my errors!

30/03/11 - 25% Water Change
31/03/11 - pH 7.6 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 10ppm nitrate - 25% water changed
01/04/11 - pH 7.2 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 10ppm nitrate - 50% water changed
02/04/11 - pH 7.6 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 10ppm nitrate - 25% water changed
03/04/11 - pH 7.6 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 10ppm nitrate - 25% water changed - Several more plants added
04/04/11 - pH 7.6 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 5ppm nitrate - 75% water changed
05/04/11 - pH 7.2 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 5ppm nitrate
06/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia
07/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 75% water change
08/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite
09/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 75% water change
10/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite
11/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 50% water change
12/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite
13/04/11 - 0.25ppm ammonia - 0ppm nitrite - 50% water change

 

[brian2708]

As my results are quite satisfactory anyway, what am I looking to change? Should my ammonia be at 0? Is it likely that my tank would have been paritially cycled due to haveing had goldfish setup in the tank for 2 months prior to my new setup?

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Dont worry about the nitrate level. That is fine.
Good to see your keeping your ammonia and nitrite as close to 0ppm as possible and keeping a log.

My personal opinion is that your tank is too small for the rainbows.

 

[Tizer]

Without a daily water change your ammonia will increase past 0.25 and fish will start to suffer. Your tank isnt cycled in the slightest, you probably have another 3 weeks of daily water changes until you find a nitrite reading, then another 1/2 weeks of water changes until the nitrite begins to process to 0.

You have a lot of hard work ahead, get into a routine and keep to it, keeping ammonia and nitrite 0.25 or below will keep your fish alive, hopefully.

make sure you dechlorinate the water or your filter will never cycle and do your best to temperature match with the new water else you risk stressing your fish with sudden changes in temp.

keep at it and you will have a cycled tank you can enjoy.

 

[brian2708]

Thanks Barry, I'm not 100% sure they are Preacox Rainbow's as the coloring doesn't seem to match any of this pictures on this forum. I am on my way to the shop where I got them shortly, so I shall double check to see what they labeled them as.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

This is a good site to get fish species info and photos:

http/www.seriouslyfish.com/kb.php

 

[brian2708]

This is a good site to get fish species info and photos:

http/www.seriouslyfish.com/kb.php

I have just been to the LFS and they are congo tetras.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Ok. They will get to the same size as the praecox when adults and are also active swimmers so may need to be rehomed when they get big.
Thats just my understanding so see what else people think.

 

[brian2708]

Ok. They will get to the same size as the praecox when adults and are also active swimmers so may need to be rehomed when they get big.
Thats just my understanding so see what else people think.

Hi barry. I appreciate your opinion. I have done some reading on the species and they will get quite big, but i intend on getting a larger aquarium if this one goes well, as this fishkeeping is addictive!!

Without a daily water change your ammonia will increase past 0.25 and fish will start to suffer. Your tank isnt cycled in the slightest, you probably have another 3 weeks of daily water changes until you find a nitrite reading, then another 1/2 weeks of water changes until the nitrite begins to process to 0.

You have a lot of hard work ahead, get into a routine and keep to it, keeping ammonia and nitrite 0.25 or below will keep your fish alive, hopefully.

make sure you dechlorinate the water or your filter will never cycle and do your best to temperature patch with the new water else you risk stressing your fish with sudden changes in temp.

keep at it and you will have a cycled tank you can enjoy.

Water is always dechlorinated prior to going into tank, and temperature matched with a digital thermometer. Currently, I am using the Tetra dechloriator, but intend on getting some Prime as everyone seems to rave about that.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Great!
Addictive it certainly is!

Good luck

 

[brian2708]

Just thought I'd post a pic of my setup.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

That looks great!

 

[brian2708]

No nitrite yet!! Grrrr!

 

[Tizer]

It will happen, keep up the good work and count yourself lucky you only have a small amount of water to change every day.