Hi

[Jay1983]

So I have just changed about 50% of the water in my tank, I would of done more but my estimates on the size of my bucket were a little over exaggerated. Since the water change the 4 fish are out and active rather than floating at the bottom of the tank. How much should I water change daily now? About 25%?

Waiting on my API master kit so I can actually put my figures up.

Thankyou All for the advice and help and putting up with beginner questions I am sure you have heard a million times before.

When doing a fish in cycle water changes of 50% are pretty much minimum daily, especially untill you get your test kit. When you have your test kit and can determine what your ammonia and nitrite levels are this will guide how much needs changing.

Jay

 

[phoenix2081]

Yeah got my 50% ready for tomorrow after work. It's just getting room temp with the conditioners in.

The fish seem much happier now

Will keep on it daily. How do I know when the cycle is fine and I should go onto the weekly/2 week cleaning? Looked through the guide again and couldn't spot any estimates or what I am looking for.
Is it ammonia 0ppm, 0 nitrite ppm, and 20 nitrate?

Starting to learn alot from these forums already and I use the term alot loosly and in comparison to my previous knowledge not alot like your knowledge

 

[Ruskull]

Ammonia should never be above .25 ppm but it's optimum to have it at "O" since ammonia is poison to fish.

Nitrite is also poison to fish and it should always be at zero. Do water changes to lower to "0" if need be.

Nitrates can be allowed to go as high as 20-60 depending on your fish.

 

[littlenemo]

Hey Michael welcome. These guys on here really no there stuff. I have asked loads of questions. To get my tank right. I never knew the right way of cycling my tank. I was told by fish shop just add fish it will be fine. But they always give bad advice. Which is why I joined this forum. Keep up the good advice guys. You helped me loads.

 

[phoenix2081]

Hey Michael welcome. These guys on here really no there stuff. I have asked loads of questions. To get my tank right. I never knew the right way of cycling my tank. I was told by fish shop just add fish it will be fine. But they always give bad advice. Which is why I joined this forum. Keep up the good advice guys. You helped me loads.

exactly what happened to me so I am fish in cycling. Which is harder than the put the fish in and WALLA technique I was told.

Things seem to be running better I am following instructions from here and hopefully all will end well. Thanks again guys will post when I get my test kit and hi to everyone

 

[XeroTolerance]

No problem! I hope it goes well, it should though if you keep up the water changes.

 

[Jay1983]

Fair play for asking for advice mate and wanting to do the right things. Water changes are key right now big and frequent. Look forward to the test results. Good luck

Jay

 

[phoenix2081]

Hey,

Just a quick update, the tester kit is shipped and the fish seem alot happier with these frequent water changes!

I know people on here are not a fan of nutrifen cycle but would it do more good than bad to add it as I have a bottle I got for free so I may aswell use it?

Thanks

 

[Jay1983]

Hey,

Just a quick update, the tester kit is shipped and the fish seem alot happier with these frequent water changes!

I know people on here are not a fan of nutrifen cycle but would it do more good than bad to add it as I have a bottle I got for free so I may aswell use it?

Thanks

I am sure it wont do any harm so may as well use it if you have it, you never know you may get lucky and it may work!!

Jay

 

[phoenix2081]

http/s1096.photobucket.com/albums/g336/phoenix2081/?action=view&current=167.jpg

Hey,

So my test kit came today and needless to say I raced back from work in order to test the water in my tank.I cant seem to post my picture as it does not support JPG what is supported and I can upload if not I have linked above. I believe it is as follows:

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm maybe between 20 -40 ppm
PH 7.6 (however it does look slightly darker).

So to my new beginner knowledge with the cycling that would suggest that the ammonia is being transferred to nitrite and then the nitrite to nitrate. This would suggest the cycle is complete.

I have 4 cardinal tetra's and a clam. I have several plants however I don't know the names. I will check at the LFS if I have to if it is essential.

The fish seem happy and the alot more lively and this has made me alot happier as I thought I was going to kill them like the 2 that unfortunately passed away.

If this is the end of this thread as it stands I will post an update in the future once I have stocked the tank. However I seem to have lost majority of the rights of choosing fish to my wife after all my hard work. That is love for you .

One last thankyou just in case this is the end of this fish in cycle and a huge thumbs up to all the advice .

Mitch - Phoenix

P.S one last water change for luck as I have prepped the water, now onto weekly changes not daily .

 

[Jay1983]

Hi, Its hard to see because the picture is so small. I wouldn't think you are cycled yet this takes weeks. I would keep testing every day and if you see any signs of ammonia or nitrite do a big water change.

Jay

 

[phoenix2081]

Better?

I have been adding that cycle stuff and have had 4 fish in and the tests show clear on ammonia and nitrite and nitrate is there.

I'll keep testing and an eye on it but it looks like I am on the way =]

 

[Jay1983]

well that's definitely a good sign. yeah just keep testing any signs of ammonia or nitrite do a water change.... also cardinals are sensitive to nitrate so make sure you keep that to a reasonable level also.

Good work

Jay

 

[phoenix2081]

Thanks, could not of done it without your help and the help of everyone!

 

[phoenix2081]

Another quick question about tetras. How do you know differance in males and females? I have read that the females have a little bit of a bigger belly. I thought all mine were the same however one seems to have a much bigger belly. Does this mean that (I presume) she is now pregnant and I will have to introduce a hatchery?

Also just for info, how long do fish stay pregnant before dropping eggs,or fry or .......how the hell do fish give birth?

If eggs how long and what conditions do they need to hatch?

Mitch - Phoenix