Cycling a new tank with an already existing tank..

[Bol]

How do I know what my PH is? Is there a test kit for that too?

Yep. To cover all common bases with fish-keeping, you should have tests for pH, KH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrates, and probably GH.

I'd recommend (since you mentioned Petco, and I know they stock these) the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit (comes in a long green box, about the size of a very small loaf of bread). As usual with most "dry goods" that Petco carries, it's usually a ton cheaper online.

 

[silver]

Thanks,

After getting all the tank setup and everything my cash flow is VERY depleted. Maybe I will just go in and get a PH test kit and a nitrate?? Or PH and another if you think there is another more important onet that I should be watching for right now?



Silver

 

[silver]

I just retested the water at 24 hours after all fish were put in........

.25ppm Ammonia

.25 Nitrite


What do you think?? It's wierd that I am seeing number changes already...unless the gravel and water really do help....oooooooooooh!


Silver

 

[Bol]

Hard to tell whether the water is normal or not. The trend is the thing to watch.

About the test kits, personally, this is what I'd do:

Next time you go to Petco, take a vial of water with you. They should do a one-time test for you, for free. That will at least give you an idea.

Order the AP Freshwater Master Kit online when you can. It's 12.99 at bigalsonline.com and 14.99 at drsfostersmith.com. Chances are (if your Petco is anything like mine), that's only a dollar or three more than an individual test kit (like pH). Well, plus the five dollars shipping. Even with that, chances are the online purchase will be less than two individual kits. Note that the master kit probabaly doesn't include a nitrate test.

If you do get individuals, I would say the order of importance (since you've got ammonia and [edit] nitrite already) are pH, KH, and Nitrates. Tough call, though.

 

[Loboto-Me]

If your money is depleted go out and buy a NitrIte kit, don't bother with a NitrAte as the Nitrite levels are far more dangerous than Nitrate levels.

Hope all is still going well with your new aquarium.

 

[silver]

Thanks......things are seeming to be going well. My Silver Dollars are SOOOO happy to have less inhabitants in "thier tank"
I'm doing all of this for them mostly.

I already have a nitrite kit, you probably missed that post .
I will take a vile of water in to Petco in a little bit here and have them test my PH and then I will Post what it is.

Thanks again for caring about my fishes ) !

Silver

 

[silver]

Well, didn't make it to the LFS with my water to test PH.
I'll try and go tomorrow. I did however, while at Kmart, get some tubifex worms for my pleco

I will test my water again in the morning and post the readings.


Silver

 

[fishspun]

Silver,

A few tips on Setting up an instant cycle. I set one up occasionally when i need my hospital/quarantine tank.

just a summary of points for you, most have been listed already.

1. fill up half the tank with old water, half new(which you did)
2. use some old gravel, and one or two ornaments.
3. take a sponge filter out of your existing tank and throw it in the new tank.
3b. you could also use old media in a new filter.
4. add some hardy fish.

instant cycle

 

[silver]

Thanks fishspun!

I have only had the current media that's in my 55 in there for about a week now. Is that long enough to have formed some good bacteria or should I say, enough bacteria?? Because I could take out part of the sponge and throw it in there??

What do you think?


Silver

 

[fishspun]

That with your rocks and ornament "might" be enough, it would be better to use at least a month old sponge, but a week old should have some. Do you have any carbon also? A lot of bacteria grow there too. Putting fish in is a gamble which you may or may not want to take I guess . I personally use my trusty betta to create the ammonia for a day or two then test my water using kits. The main ones I would test is ammonia+nitrite. If they show 0ppm, then you know you got an instant cycle, if not, you should have a mini one. Either way, it saves a lot of time.

Goodluck with the new tank B)

 

[silver]

Well....thanks for your help. I will just have to see what happens and keep checking my water specs twice a day.


Silver

 

[silver]

After 48 hours the water specs are:

Ammonia - .25 ppm
Nitrite - .50 ppm



Silver

 

[silver]

For whom it may concern..... )

After 72 hours of setup my specs are:

Ammonia - 0.50
Nitrite - 0.50


Silver

 

[sandyd]

Silver,
Seems to me all is going well for you. I set up all my tanks with gravel and filter medium from my exixting tanks. I got my 55 to cycle in less than a week taking medium and such from my other tanks. I still keep track of my water as you are doing, but now that you have Nitrites, just watch in a couple of days you will be looking at Nitrate readings. Yay

When money is not so tight, you might think about getting an extra spong filter to keep in an existing tank, so that if you get to start a new tank, you will always have a good "extra" colony just waiting for a home. Glad things are going well for you, sorry I have not been here in a few days to tell you earlier.

Sandy

 

[silver]

Thank you my friend.....!


I needed to here that someone else had done the same thing and had everything turn out okay

How are those Silvers doing?


Silver



PS. - Can anyone tell me what exactly KH is and why test for it??

Thanks in advance!