Is My Tank Fully Cycled?

[Boulder Fish]

So, do 2 galaxy rasboras count the same as 1 dwarf loach, since they are so small? Will my proposed stocking schedule work? Adding 5 of the galaxy rasboras at a time? I just did not want to add too few of them for fear they would not be happy in such small numbers.

Is it better to bite the bullet, spend the extra money, and get all the loaches and rasboras in there at the same time?

 

[locust267]

Well when my tank is fully cycled and I know the filter can definately process 5ppm of ammonia & nitrite in 10-12 hours I'm transferring all my fish over from my 56l tank almost straight away.

Then I'm still trying to decide on what centre piece fish to have.

I would say as long as the tank is defo cycled and the fish you want are hardy then there is no problem adding the fish you want. However fish like neon tetras and gouramis for example need a mature tank so shouldn't be added for at least 4 months.

I'm not sure on the fish you want, I think generally rasboras are fairly tough but I'd wait for someone to confirm.

The only other thing I would say is carry on with you daily testing once you've added the fish as you may get an ammonia or nitrite spike resulting in daily water changes but IMO that is unlikely as you are cycling properly.

Good luck anyway

 

[waterdrop]

I guess there're two separate questions there - the delicacy of the two species and the addition of them in the given grouping numbers.

I'm not directly experienced in either of those fish, the dwarf loach or the galaxy rasbora (pretty looking fish by the way!) I did use rasbora heteromorpha in a newly cycled tank recently and they did just fine - I consider them to be not too delicate. But I can't remember if the galaxy ones are even closely related - I'm sure another member will know.

If the galaxy rasboras are quite small, under an inch, I'd say they probably be ok in a 5-fish addition, not causing too much of a mini-cycle to a newly cycled filter, assuming its been nice and stable for a week. Also, you could consider adding the 5-group as the first fish and then adding the dwarf loaches later, as a smaller incremental addition.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Boulder Fish]

Thank you both for the stocking advice.

I may have a new crisis, though....

I did an 80% water change last night and recharged the ammonia.
To my horror, its been 27 hours and I am still showing 0.5 ppm of ammonia and NO nitrites. Assuming I didn't make any mistakes during the change, there is no reason it should not have continued to process the ammonia and nitrites at the same rate as before the water change(14 hrs), right?

Did I kill it? I am positive I conditioned the water before adding it to the tank. I kept my filter bag/media submerged in tank water throughout the change.

HELP!

 

[locust267]

Have you tested the NitrAte to see if you have a reading there? Keep an eye on that to see if that goes up again.

Recharge the ammonia to about 3ppm (not too much for filter to cope with) and if ok in 10-12 hours try adding 4ppm ammonia in a further 12 hours and carry on until you've processed 5ppm.

Keeping an eye on the Nitate will give you an idea whether the nitrite is being processed, hopefully it is.

There is a chance some of the bacteria may of been disturbed but hopefully if that is the case it wont take too long to correct.

Vicki

 

[Boulder Fish]

Testing at 34 hours, the ammonia had finally cleared, and I had a nitrAte reading of 40ppm.

I charged the ammonia up to 4ppm (before reading your gentler suggestion, Vicki), and 7hrs later, half seems to have processed. I am hoping that is a good sign. I have the hardest time distinguishing between at 40 and an 80 reading on the API Nitrate test, that I am never quite sure... but it still looks like a 40.

As Waterdrop suggested earlier, this is the time to practice water changes... I really thought I was good at them. But, I hope I can figure out what I did wrong so that I never put fish though this...

 

[locust267]

4ppm should be fine and it looks like it's heading in the right direction. When topping up I'd continue to use 4ppm for a few more days and then gradually take it to 5ppm to see if that is process within the 10-12 hours.

Nitrate is a pain to read and often changes the result if you shake the bottle or tube for 2 second less than it needs lol.

Keep an eye on it, I doubt you done anything wrong it's just set backs that we all have and once the filter matures the bacteria will become less vunerable to the water changes so carry on with you practicing

 

[Boulder Fish]

Thank you so much, Vicki, that is reassuring.