Need Help With New Tank Setup

[jeffatus]

I am not going to make excuses for not going through the fishless cycling in my fish tank, it just worked out that I was able to talk the wife into a 12 gallon tank for my 3 year olds birthday two days before his big day.....anyway, I had the tank set up one day in advance, put in water conditioner after set up, and about an hour later put in some of the "live" bacteria in a bottle into the tank. A day later, I put in two baby German Blue Rams and set up the filter with Ammo Chips/Carbon in one of the filter "baskets" (the first basket is a foam filter, and the second is ceramic bio media). I have had fish for at least half of my 33 years of life, so I am not new to fishkeeping. I understand (roughly) how the cycling works and know that Blue Rams were probably not the best choice to start out my tank, but I am hoping that only having two 1 inch juvenile fish in the 12 gallon will not be too hard on them. Which brings me to my question: how often should I change the water? how much? 20% every 3 days to start? The water is a little cloudy, but the fish seem to be doing fine right now (day 3).

I ordered a "complete" testing kit from API, but I am concerned that the week it will take to get here may be too late if my ammonia spikes. I dont want to spend $30 on a new kit at the fish store when it only cost $15 at DrFosterSmith.com. Should I maybe buy just an ammonia tester? Would that be the most important parameter if I had to buy one before my kit came in? Also, how much will it help that I put in Ammo/Carb Chips into the filter? I was hoping that it would help soften the blow to the little guys.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Jeff

 

[rabbut]

Remove the ammono chips, as they will stop the cycle from beeing able to complete, making you dependant on them. Thats ok untill you need to treat for something, then you have a problem, as you will be forced to remove them

I'd do 30% daily untill you can get a test kit. Once the test kit arrives, do a 50% waterchange every time ammonia or nitrite read above 0.25mg/l (0.25ppm). You should test twice daily untill ammonia and nitrite have remained at 0 for a week. At this point leae a further week, and fall into you usual maintanace regeme. After 2 weeks of the ammonia and nitrite reading 0, you are ready for a few more fish. Once the new fish are added, go back to testing twice daily, and 50% waterchanging where appropriate. After a 2 weeks of the ammonia reading 0, repeate again untill fully stocked.

If you what more information on cycling, read [topic="224306"]this thread[/topic] that I wrote a couple of months back for people in your situation.

The next few weeks are going to be hard work for you, but is sounds like you have done this before and have an idea as to what to expect. Stick with the waterchanges, and hopefuly you won't loose any fish

HTH
Rabbut