Re-cycling The Tank

[LolaLouie]

The fish shop i bought my tank from told me that one week without fish was enough to cycle and then I could buy fish so I added bacteria and water conditioner, left my tank with the filter on for a week and then bought 4 tetras and 2 African Dwarf Frogs.

I then read on this forum and realised the mistake but as there were already fish in the tank I thought there was nothing I could do.

My fish shop also told me that my frogs would eat the fish flakes but after 4 days of them not eating (and 1 of them beginning to look very thin) I realised this wasn't true so went today to get frozen bloodworm from a different fish shop. While I was there I asked about cycling.. the guy told me it wasn't too late I could put my fish in a bucket empty out the water and refill the tank using this stuff to stop nitrites from forming and then put my fish back in 24 hours!

I have now done this and my fish are currently residing in a bucket... any opinions on this?? Will my tank be ok now?!?

Thanks

Gemma

 

[shang hi]

i sugest you do a fishless cycle. that would mean getting rid of you fish and frogs though but its better for the fish later on. your LFS should take them back (although you might not get your money back).
the cycling process is to form bactera in your filter media, these bacteria will "consume" toxic Ammonia (made by fish) and turn it into toxic NitrIte then ifferent bacteria will turn the toxic NitrIte into NitrAte (only toxic in large amounts, say 100ppm+). i would sugest doing a fishless cycle of seeding your filter with mature media. try and get some mature media to seed your filter from the "members willing to donate mature media to newbies" (its pinned).
if you don't have the heart to reture your fish/frogs then do a fishin cycle but this will be more stress full for the fish.

 

[LolaLouie]

I've sort of bonded to my frogs.. I have named them and everything!! I really dont wanna return them!! The stuff I have put in the tank I have been told sorts out the problem of not having cycled properly.. it is called toxivec. Will this be good enough??

This is the description...

sera toxivec contains the innovativeQuickClean Formula and immediately removes dangerous pollutants threatening fish and filter bacteria from the aquarium water. The parallel efficacy against different kinds of pollutants makes it especially valuable.


The quick effect of sera toxivec removes ammonium and nitrite in no time. Therefore it prevents the conversion into nitrate and immediately supports prevention of annoying algae growth.
Furthermore, it removes aggressive chlorine from tap water. Also, it is effective against remainders of disinfectants or medications applied.

However, sera toxivec can do even more: It also binds toxic heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead or even quicksilver/mercury. Therefore, these pollutants cannot harm the fish nor the useful bacteria within the biofilter. Thus the frequency of water changes will be reduced.

If need be, e.g. with particularly high pollution levels, higher dosage is possible with sera toxivec without any problems. A second addition after one to two hours is also possible

 

[lym]

I've sort of bonded to my frogs.. I have named them and everything!! I really dont wanna return them!!

Would you rather they died? The frogs will be better off going back so you can cycle the tank properly.

 

[Little-Fizz]

You could always ask a friend with a tank to hold onto the frogs for you.

 

[natural blue nina]

In my experience, ADF's are quite sensitive to poor water quality. If you're not careful, they will be the first to die. I appreciate what you are saying about being attached to them though - they are great fun to watch and have real personalities!

Some other advice - if your tank has ANY escape holes that the frogs can get through (like the holes the filetr pipes go in and out of) then tape them up - they are escape artists and can get into very small spaces!

Mine ate flake food quite happily, but it did take them wuite a while to settle in!

 

[Squid]

Here is a thread from a pinned topic you might find useful.. LOOK HERE

SQUID

 

[pauly]

Just whack em back in. Get a test kit and keep a check on the Ammonia levels of the water. When above 0.5ppm do a partial water change.

You might have to do water changes every day for like a month, but by doing so you get to keep your fish and frogs.

 

[smithrc]

Just whack em back in. Get a test kit and keep a check on the Ammonia levels of the water. When above 0.5ppm do a partial water change.

You might have to do water changes every day for like a month, but by doing so you get to keep your fish and frogs.

well said.

Stop being so alarmist people...

In an ideal situation a fishless cycle would be best - but this is not an ideal situation (through no fault of the original poster)

As pauly said - but them back in the tank - there is no difference between keeping them in the tank or the bucket...

If you are local to anyone in the thread that Squid posted - PM them - most of us are quite accommodating and helpful

If you cant get any mature media - get a test kit for ammonia and test and water change regularly

If you keep a close eye on the test and water change regularly - no-one should die

 

[LolaLouie]

thanks, your replies are really helpful. i think I will keep my frogs but just keep a really close eye on the conditions, they seem pretty hardy being as they've been in a bucket for 24 hours now and are hopping around as normal... By the way I love those Zebra plecos.. wish I had a bigger tank to get some!!

Gemma

 

[smitt_graham]

When i got my first tank i was told the same by my lfs. (Small one 30l) So until i joined these forums i didnt know about fishless cycling. But like you got attached to the fish so i done what pauly said water changed every other day and water testing every day now tank is fully cycled after about a month just do weekly water changes. But have bought a bigger tank and doing a fishless cycle you learn from your mistakes.
smitt