paulbr1
Fish Crazy
I didn't think I was such a newbie as I have had Tropical for around five years......................
But then I read this, fantastic information plus the comments about many local fish stores and thought yeh you’re right - or should I say for mine at least.
I wanted to write this in as it may sound familiar to many new/nearly new fish keepers (tropical can’t comment on the rest so wont) and if they haven’t populated with fish yet Ammonia I presume could still be added to boost the bacteria.
I have run in/cycled four tanks and have always used cycle (apparently has live bacteria)
I always start by excessively washing the substrate (gravel) and filling with tap water after I have added dechlorinator bucket by bucket.
Once I have my water in and it has settled on it goes (heater and pump) then I usually wait for it to get around 25-26’C then add the “Cycle”.
I test every other day for Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia whilst topping up with the magic “cycle” and adding a little food to help the nice bacteria grow.(I log them on my PC on create little graphs – how sad!)
Then once my Ammonia and Nitrite drop off of the scale and the Nitrate is at a reasonable level I am happy – start to add fish and think “ahh we are there now”
Only to get loads of bloom and dark slime spreading across the tank floor.
I know now that although the levels were correct – they were only correct because there were no fish in the tank and the bacteria was balanced to the everything in the tank (not a lot!) and only when I started to add fish was the build up of good bacteria really going to start, I will definitely use the ammonia method next time!!
To cut it short if you can call it that after the above, I am going to print up some cards with the forum address on (chew me if this is not ok) and try to get the local fish stores to display for advice, now I know they all like to give advice and I do ask but two hours reading the newb pages last has opened up my eyes ten fold and that includes info from three books I have too.
Maybe I will ask them if they will donate (ha ha) bacteria rich media, laughing apart I’m sure most shops would at least supply you “rich” media if you replaced it so as to no cost to them.
Anybody tried this?
Ps. I am braced for impact
But then I read this, fantastic information plus the comments about many local fish stores and thought yeh you’re right - or should I say for mine at least.
I wanted to write this in as it may sound familiar to many new/nearly new fish keepers (tropical can’t comment on the rest so wont) and if they haven’t populated with fish yet Ammonia I presume could still be added to boost the bacteria.
I have run in/cycled four tanks and have always used cycle (apparently has live bacteria)
I always start by excessively washing the substrate (gravel) and filling with tap water after I have added dechlorinator bucket by bucket.
Once I have my water in and it has settled on it goes (heater and pump) then I usually wait for it to get around 25-26’C then add the “Cycle”.
I test every other day for Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia whilst topping up with the magic “cycle” and adding a little food to help the nice bacteria grow.(I log them on my PC on create little graphs – how sad!)
Then once my Ammonia and Nitrite drop off of the scale and the Nitrate is at a reasonable level I am happy – start to add fish and think “ahh we are there now”
Only to get loads of bloom and dark slime spreading across the tank floor.
I know now that although the levels were correct – they were only correct because there were no fish in the tank and the bacteria was balanced to the everything in the tank (not a lot!) and only when I started to add fish was the build up of good bacteria really going to start, I will definitely use the ammonia method next time!!
To cut it short if you can call it that after the above, I am going to print up some cards with the forum address on (chew me if this is not ok) and try to get the local fish stores to display for advice, now I know they all like to give advice and I do ask but two hours reading the newb pages last has opened up my eyes ten fold and that includes info from three books I have too.
Maybe I will ask them if they will donate (ha ha) bacteria rich media, laughing apart I’m sure most shops would at least supply you “rich” media if you replaced it so as to no cost to them.
Anybody tried this?
Ps. I am braced for impact
