Cycling 10 Gallon Tank

[Tizer]

Do you live in the UK? If you have ammonia in the water then you need to call your water supplier, you may have a cracked pipe somewhere.

In the short term, yes, some dechlorinator would help but you have hardly any fish to worry about, i would take them back to the local fish shop and then begin a fishless cycle.

The only way you can really do an effective fish in cycle is by lowering ammonia past 0.25ppm to keep it safe, if it isnt coming out of your tap in a safe level, you are kinda stuffed in that respect.

You could ask your local shop for some mature media from their tanks to help you out, its worth asking.

 

[thezodiac]

Do you live in the UK? If you have ammonia in the water then you need to call your water supplier, you may have a cracked pipe somewhere.

In the short term, yes, some dechlorinator would help but you have hardly any fish to worry about, i would take them back to the local fish shop and then begin a fishless cycle.

The only way you can really do an effective fish in cycle is by lowering ammonia past 0.25ppm to keep it safe, if if it isnt coming out of your tap in a safe form, you are kinda stuffed.

You could ask your local shop for some mature media from their tanks to help you out, its worth asking.

i live in the US. yeah guess i could try removing the fish and going the pure ammonia route

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well you didnt disagree with me really, you said it has "lots more water changes and lots more days to completion" and on that point we both agree.

I wasnt discussing the effect this has on the individual either, just the process of the cycle, so seeded or not, there is no difference in how you cycle with fish. So on that, again i think we both agree now?

Half the "panic" threads on this forum are easily answered with:

a) Have you got a test kit? If so, what are your readings? No? Go and buy one.
b) Do a water change daily until your readings are as they should be.

I dont find water changes stressful, i dont see why anyone would. I find it quite relaxing

For those people who are all "oh my god my fish is going to die" i suggest they go down the fish and chip shop and order cod and chips....then ask themselves if they really cared about the fish they ate.

Well, I think the stress is more related to the amount of money they put into the fish and the fact that their "investment" is dying, or, they don't like to fail at something, or a myriad of other reasons that they may be stressed. I don't think it is related to the water change per se. I think it is more involved than that.

Simply put though, the fish-in cycle is a stressful thing for many first timers. You can tell by the many threads. And even after getting the advice, there is then is complete sense of uncertainty and the need for reassurance that they are doing the right thing.


Perhaps we don't actually disagree, but we are looking at the situation from a very different perspective. I am a beginner still. I am fishless cycling for the first time. I understand the theory behind the majority of fishkeeping. But, what I lack is practice. I'm sure there will be events that I come across which a much more experienced fishkeeper would easily diagnose and treat, without a single bit of stress. That is not the case, however, for the beginner. Even the most basic things can be stressful, if you don't understand them. Nothing is scarier than the unknown to many folks, especially certainly personality types.

 

[seizethecupcake]

Luckily, I haven't posted any "panic" threads I may have started off on the "wrong" foot by not doing a fishless cycle, but I've been testing frequently, keeping up with my water changes, not overfeeding, making sure the gravel is kept pristine, etc. I haven't lost a single fish in my cycling tank. I think my stress primarily comes from the potential for proverbial blood on my hands. I don't want to kill anything. And I'll pass on the fish & chips, I'm a vegetarian

 

[Tizer]

I'm a vegetarian

Vegetables have feelings too.

 

[seizethecupcake]

I'm a vegetarian

Vegetables have feelings too.

True. I just can't win

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm a vegetarian

Vegetables have feelings too.

True. I just can't win

That's ok... Don't worry about it. Ask anything that you would like to eat, if they mind. If they don't articulate any concern... bon a petit! That's the way it goes. The biggest, strongest, and smartest gets to eat whatever it wants.

 

[thezodiac]

yeah so at this point i have no idea what to do....

like why both with water changes if my tap water is .50 ppm ammonia

 

[eaglesaquarium]

yeah so at this point i have no idea what to do....

like why both with water changes if my tap water is .50 ppm ammonia

What dechlorinator are you using? Prime or Stress Coat will help with the ammonia problem of a water change.

 

[thezodiac]

yeah so at this point i have no idea what to do....

like why both with water changes if my tap water is .50 ppm ammonia

What dechlorinator are you using? Prime or Stress Coat will help with the ammonia problem of a water change.

dont remember the brand but it doenst remove or neutralize ammonia, should i buy some that does or just wait for my tank to properly cycle?

 

[Randi]

Get some Prime (or Stress Coat) and while you're at the LFS ask if they can give you a piece of used filter media or a handful of gravel from one of their tanks. That will help more than anything.

Or if you are in Colorado I can give you some filter media.

 

[OldMan47]

A bit off the current topic but let me answer why do a water change. Fresh water is always better than old water with 0.5 ppm of nitrites in it. Nitrites work with fish much the same way that carbon monoxide works with people. It prevents them using the oxygen in the water properly even if there is plenty of oxygen for them. That means they slowly suffocate while you are absolutely certain that they have plenty of oxygen available to them. Only a water change can replace that high nitrite water with water that is free of nitrites. Since you posted your readings way back 2 days ago, by now you are due for about an 8 or 9 gallon water change, if you still have any fish alive in that tank. Use any decent water conditioner and your fish will thank you for the change by becoming more active and even staying alive.

 

[thezodiac]

okay guys so i picked up some stress coat +

question do i have to put it into the water before putting it into the acquarium or does it not matter?


( i have a 2.5 gallon bucket so should i try to measure out the right amount then add the water, or can i do a 5 gallon change total then just dump the right amount into the tank) ?

 

[Randi]

put it in the bucket

 

[thezodiac]

put it in the bucket

(changed the water not yesterday but the day before 50%)
okay so i just retested today:


ammonia : .25 ppm
nitrite: .50 ppm
nitrate: 10-20 ppm

so at this point where do i go from here? and how far into my cycle am i ?