My Cycle Has Started Now What?

[fishything]

I am doing a fishless cycle with Ammonia.

A couple of days ago I did all 3 tests, using an API Master Test Kit results are as follows

Ammonia 2.0 I think, I do know it has came down

Nitrite 0.25

Nitrate not sure where it came from 5.0


Tested for Ammonia and Nitrite again last night but they don’t appear to be any different.


So on to my questions, which I really hope I get lots of replies too.


Now that my cycle has started do I have to test the water everyday or will every other day do?

When my Ammonia gets to 0 how much do I put in and how often?


I want to put live plants in my tank so when would be the best time to do this, also I am considering getting the plants online does any know any good sites in the UK?


I would like 6 Corries for my tank is keeping a mixed group possible, or do they all have to be the same type?


My filer is a Fluval 4 Plus, will it be too strong even fully closed for the following fish,

6 Corys
6 White Clouds
5 Male Guppies
6 Rainbow Threadfins
4 Male Platies


Should I put something over the filter so the fish don’t end up inside?


I am adding my 6 White Clouds first should they be added in 2s or 3s?


I think that’s it for now I really hope someone can please help, thank you for your time.

 

[matchstickman47]

you can add the plants during th cycle

the minows can go in in 2s imo make sure the guppys go in last

test every day, better safer than sorry

no cories can live happily together even if differnt types i suggest if oyur getting six get 3 of one kind and 3 of another
also they look best when all the same size like adding pandas with peppered is a good idea

not sure bout the filter strenght goood to know what size the tank is??

what do you mean end up in the filter ... i dont think the fish will end up inside it the grill would have to be huge
my bns used to jump into mine but theycant now coz ther to big but if your concerned ...why not

 

[Truck]

you can add the plants during th cycle

the minows can go in in 2s imo make sure the guppys go in last

test every day, better safer than sorry

no cories can live happily together even if differnt types i suggest if oyur getting six get 3 of one kind and 3 of another
also they look best when all the same size like adding pandas with peppered is a good idea

not sure bout the filter strenght goood to know what size the tank is??

what do you mean end up in the filter ... i dont think the fish will end up inside it the grill would have to be huge
my bns used to jump into mine but theycant now coz ther to big but if your concerned ...why not

cories will school together regardless of species

 

[OldMan47]

The fish types all look fine to me except that I don't know the threadfin rainbow needs. They may be fine too, just not my kind of fish. I was wondering what you are going to do to maintain that 35 gallon / 130 litre or larger tank. You never said exactly how large it is but the fish list would make it at least that big. It is fairly large to do with buckets but you have not mentioned the hoses you are using to do water changes or asked any questions about how to use dechlorinator when doing fills and drains with hoses.

 

[fishything]

Thanks guys, my tank is 125 litres but has a higher filter, I will of course being doing water changes and stuff.

 

[Truck]

Thanks guys, my tank is 125 litres but has a higher filter, I will of course being doing water changes and stuff.

even with a bigger filter, more water changes will be required as production of nitrates will be higher.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others, you would be wise not to exceed the one inch guideline, especially if learning the hobby.

When beginning fishless cycling, even if you use a calculator to get a first try on the amount of ammonia that will give you 5ppm, you still should test until you come up with an accurate amount. A quantity-marked syringe is very helpful, one always for the ammonia, one for helping add tank water to the test tubes. Often you can find them at druggists.

It will often takes days, even a couple weeks for the first 5ppm to go down to zero, you don't need to add and you can get away with skipping a couple of the initial days usually. But then, as said, its better to begin testing for ammonia, nitrite(NO2) and pH once daily until ammonia drops to zero withing 24 hours. At that point you should start seeing some nitrite(NO2) and its time to start testing twice daily at the 12 and 24 hour marks. The ammonia add should always be performed only at the 24 hour mark even if it was down to zero at the 12 hour point, it won't hurt the bacteria to go without ammonia and it will keep the nitriites and nitrates from getting so pumped up. Most people decide to make their 24 hour mark in the morning or evening, such that it puts the 12hour test point at a time when they are usually home.

~~waterdrop~~