Mates Tank Cycling With Fish!

[black jack1]

Hi, As the topic name says, I have a mate who is cycling with fish...neon tetras out of all fishes (12) of them. He has a 20 gallon tank and they have been in there for 2 days. All is well and they're feeding n swimming around fine. The PH is about 7 or just under. Ammonia level is also 0. He is using fake plants and some bogwood. Before he added the fish, he added a dose of "Nutrafin cycle" which is meant to contain the beneficial bacteria. I was just wondering what else he could do to make it easier for them, the water seems ok right now.

 

[Leslie]

Those neons should go back to the store. They are very sensitive fish and in all likelihood will not survive a cycle. He also has way too many of them in there for cycling. Do you have any seasoned filter media and/or gravel you could give him to help the cycle along?

 

[black jack1]

Yep, Ive got sand and carbon media...i can sort him out with if they'll help

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yep, Ive got sand and carbon media...i can sort him out with if they'll help

Filter media/sponge thats been used constantly in your tank (which i take is mature or cycled?) for a week or more would be best . Has your friend got test kits for nitrites and nitrates as well?

 

[black jack1]

Yeh i have a couple of established tanks. I'll get some media over to him asap. Also, do you think he should resort to daily water changes aswell? If so what percentage? It's a 20 gallon.

Thanks for the replys btw

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yeh i have a couple of established tanks. I'll get some media over to him asap. Also, do you think he should resort to daily water changes aswell? If so what percentage? It's a 20 gallon.

Thanks for the replys btw

Daily water changes might be a bit extreme for neon tetras although it really depends of what sorts of water quality test results get gets over the next week, they are also not big waste producing fish, so the cycle could last a long time for him, soo...
My best advice to him would be to make sure he has accurate test kits for ammonia, nitrItes and nitrAtes and to test the water every day or 2- if there's any ammonia or nitrites in the tank, do a 20-30% water change with dechlorinator/water conditioner. Nitrates should be kept preferably under 40 for neon tetras, small/average sized water changes can lower these too, although adding healthy live aquarium plants to the tank can as well .

Hopefully after a month or 2 the tank will be nearing the end of its cycle, although i've never seen how long a cycle with neon tetras can take, so it could be longer or shorter than that. I wouldn't be overly optimistic though that all the neons will make it through the cycle, as before mentioned they are very fragile fish and aern't really advised for tanks under 6months mature. Make sure he keeps an eye on their health though, if they show any signs of strange behavior or show any odd physical symptoms, they could be ill/sick as stress from water quality issues is often the main cause of sickness/desease in fish .