Just Added First Fish

[greenscooby]

Sweet, like i said i'm up till about 2ish(maybe 3 now i'm waiting on your results) post your results and we'll go from there. Also a mate caleed FATHEADMINNOW should be on, he's really experienced(?spelling), between us all we'll get your tank up and running.

Don't WORRY we'll get you through this.

Mark.

 

[Geoff1991]

Alright, I'm back... Just giving the test 5 minutes for the colour to develop... The rushed water change seemed to go okay, the fish are swimming and are the right way up... haha

Edit

Right then

Ammonia 0.25
nitrate 20
nitrite 0.50
pH 7.2 - 7.6

 

[Geoff1991]

Any advice anyone?

 

[mancin]

Alright, I'm back... Just giving the test 5 minutes for the colour to develop... The rushed water change seemed to go okay, the fish are swimming and are the right way up... haha

Edit

Right then

Ammonia 0.25
nitrate 20
nitrite 0.50
pH 7.2 - 7.6

If it were me, I'd do another water change since you have both Ammonia and Nitrites present and post your results again after that one. Make sure you are adding dechlor to the new water that you are putting in the tank.

 

[Geoff1991]

I mustve read your mind... Ive just completed a 10% water change.

Will post results in about 20 minutes

 

[Geoff1991]

Right, things are looking a bit better

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0.25
pH 7.6

 

[waterdrop]

Good, have read your thread and looks like you are getting the hang of how to handle a "Fish-In Cycling Situation." You've got ammonia down to zero and nitrite(NO2) down to 0.25ppm, so you are ok for the moment.

Fish-in cycling is like a game where your goal is to figure out the correct frequency and percentage of water to change out in order to keep your ammonia and nitrite(NO2) levels always below 0.25ppm. That's your goal and the size and how often you do the water changes is different for everyone because the tanks are different sizes and different fish put out differing amounts of waste. Anytime either ammonia or nitrite(NO2) is above 0.25ppm, that constitutes enough of an emergency situation that its more important to change water than to worry about any other concerns. In these situations there's nothing wrong with doing large changes like 70% and you can test and do another one as soon as an hour later.

When doing large changes like this its important to use good technique, always using conditioner (removing chlorine or chloramine) and roughly temperature matching (using your hand to judge is good enough) the replacement water. Using a "Python" or other faucet hose product can greatly reduce the amount of work compared to using buckets and kettle heatings.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Geoff1991]

Thanks for all the help. I've been doing 10% water changes every time ive noticed that the ammonia has gone up and all seems to be well. Results are similar to what i last posted after another 10% water change.

I'll report back when i next do a water change

 

[greenscooby]

Sorry i didn't back to you earlier, but from your posts it looks as though things are going well, waterdrop makes a lot of sense in what he's saying, if ever i get into trouble i ALWAYS listen to either waterdrop, oldman47, FHM or Miss Wiggle, their advice is ALWAYS spot on, thats not to say that all the other advice is pants, any advice is good advice, the only reason i mention these guys is they've helped me so much and their advice has ALWAYS worked for me.

If i were you i'd do 50% water changes whenever your ammonia or nitrITES are above the norm-zero.

Like i said earlier, hard work work but well worth all the effort.

Mark.

 

[Geoff1991]

Thanks for the replies.

My fish appear to be hiding in corners.

Am i right in thinking its either lack of hiding places or theyre just getting used to the tank?

 

[greenscooby]

Maybe a bit of both, they may also need some other interaction from some more fish, but as your doing a fish in cycle i wouldn't advise adding more fish, but on the flip side as you've only got the two fish i'd add a couple more, do you know the sexes of the fsh you currently have?

Mark

 

[Geoff1991]

Theyre both female, apparently

Oh, and heres a picture of my tank...

http/i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/gui...91/IMG_0157.jpg

What do you think? Not enough hiding places?

 

[greenscooby]

Your tank looks REALLY NICE, i'd go for live plants myself, but thats just me, i LOVE live plants.

I try to keeep the back of the tank and also a corner PLANTED that way your fish have more places to hide.

Mark.

 

[Geoff1991]

Thanks.

I was thinking about losing that little plant pot and putting a bigger plant there...

What do you think, more plants and make more hiding places?

 

[greenscooby]

To be honest with you, it all depends on what you like and how much work you want to put into your tank, i prefer live plants as they look better and help with your water stats, they do take a little more looking after but it all adds up to your new hobby.

All i have in my tank apart from the fish is a piece of bogwood (for my BN) a small terracotta pot covered in java moss and 12 live plants, it bulks the tank out and gives my fish plenty of things to hide behind or explore.

Mark.