Really Need Advice About My Cycel ( Tank That Is )

[Prime Ordeal]

That bicarb is that just baking soda? I read some whre put a table spon in tank water and add that. Being I do not have fish in it do I have to add it slowly still ?

Yes it is baking soda and yes you should still add it gradually. A large rapid change of pH can stall your filter bacteria.

 

[stacey3272]

That bicarb is that just baking soda? I read some whre put a table spon in tank water and add that. Being I do not have fish in it do I have to add it slowly still ?

Yes it is baking soda and yes you should still add it gradually. A large rapid change of pH can stall your filter bacteria.

thanks never ending amount of info it seems to this fish tankthing.... But I guess one day it will all come together. was my amount right 1 table sppon or teaspoon.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

That bicarb is that just baking soda? I read some whre put a table spon in tank water and add that. Being I do not have fish in it do I have to add it slowly still ?

Yes it is baking soda and yes you should still add it gradually. A large rapid change of pH can stall your filter bacteria.

thanks never ending amount of info it seems to this fish tankthing.... But I guess one day it will all come together. was my amount right 1 table sppon or teaspoon.

Yes a tablespoon in a glass of tank water and add it gradually over several hours.

 

[stacey3272]

update. my heater has only gone up to 83.somehting. No a very big jump. But warmer I guess I hope it gets warmer. That was over night grr. I took my ph one more time before I try uping it. I would say it is 7.6 that is how far my card reads. So I guess I will add just a bit of soda and see what the color changes to later..It does not seem to need alot to make it to 8.

 

[OldMan47]

Stacey, there is no point to doing a temperature match on new water for a fishless cycle. Do nothing to your water pH unless you are keeping fish that actually requires it or you have a pH below 6.4 during a cycle. Some people among us overreact a bit to changes in water. Once you are ready to place fish in your tank, as it seems you are, it is best to allow the tank to reach tap water values if they are even close to what your fish "need". In my own experience, fish are quite adaptable to any steady value but they are not able to respond easily to chemical changes caused by additives. Leave those darned things at the LFS. The 83F temperature is far too warm for almost any fish so find out what your stocking might need and adjust the heater accordingly. My bet is you will find a value somewhere between 72F and 80F as a best compromise for a wide variety of fish that you might choose to add. Since I have mostly rarer livebearers like goodeids, many of my own tanks run in the low 70s.

 

[stacey3272]

Stacey, there is no point to doing a temperature match on new water for a fishless cycle. Do nothing to your water pH unless you are keeping fish that actually requires it or you have a pH below 6.4 during a cycle. Some people among us overreact a bit to changes in water. Once you are ready to place fish in your tank, as it seems you are, it is best to allow the tank to reach tap water values if they are even close to what your fish "need". In my own experience, fish are quite adaptable to any steady value but they are not able to respond easily to chemical changes caused by additives. Leave those darned things at the LFS. The 83F temperature is far too warm for almost any fish so find out what your stocking might need and adjust the heater accordingly. My bet is you will find a value somewhere between 72F and 80F as a best compromise for a wide variety of fish that you might choose to add. Since I have mostly rarer livebearers like goodeids, many of my own tanks run in the low 70s.

Thanks for your imput... I understand about ph and not having to up it . I guess I am only raising the temp of water because so many say while in the cyling it helps bateria increase?? To be honest I love all the help and everyones input. But it can be very over whelming and confusing to keep all the info and know what to do and what not to do.
Lke how many times to dose a day how often water temps on andon. how does a person ever know when its ready when we keep changing how to cyle it .


I am one to get alot ofinfo when doing any thing.. So I love everyone and how they keep there tanks. But from a newbie stand point hard to figure out. I will keep in mind your tips and leave the ph at 7.6 that is what in will run most the time from my tap.

 

[OldMan47]

You told us that you were getting full nitrite conversion at 13 hours. Did I miss something? To me that means you are ready to pick out fish, not to worry about cycling parameters. You will indeed get a bit faster bacteria growth at higher temperatures but that is not what you care about when getting ready to stock your tank. What you should care about at that stage is the specific needs of the fish you intend to stock. Have you chosen them yet and do you know what their temperature "needs" are?

 

[stacey3272]

You told us that you were getting full nitrite conversion at 13 hours. Did I miss something? To me that means you are ready to pick out fish, not to worry about cycling parameters. You will indeed get a bit faster bacteria growth at higher temperatures but that is not what you care about when getting ready to stock your tank. What you should care about at that stage is the specific needs of the fish you intend to stock. Have you chosen them yet and do you know what their temperature "needs" are?

I gotyou I did not know I was ready I thought they both had to be 12hours . SO I was thinking I needed to change soemthing to get that to happen. I Dosed this evening I will make sure it is cycling thru in the 12 hours in the next few days since I just did a big water change and all. I may turn heat downa bit then. I am not sure on fish tetras mollys maybe I want to pick community ones . I like some mid sssserface and maybe a few that are on bottem. So I have some living thru out the tank. I have a 55 gallon so I think I have enough for a few skools of different fish.

 

[OldMan47]

Once you are ready to add fish, unplug the filter and heater and drain the tank all the way to the substrate. That will get rid of the huge nitrate build that was caused by cycling. Refill with dechlorinated water about the right temperature and plug everything back in. Then it is time to head to your LFS with a bucket of cash and a shopping list.

 

[stacey3272]

Once you are ready to add fish, unplug the filter and heater and drain the tank all the way to the substrate. That will get rid of the huge nitrate build that was caused by cycling. Refill with dechlorinated water about the right temperature and plug everything back in. Then it is time to head to your LFS with a bucket of cash and a shopping list.

Grrr
I just did a full change like that on Sunday But I tested and Nitrates are already built up again. So to keep the nitrates down after I put some fish in. ( I plan on getting a few Sat.) I should do a few smaller water changes each week.?? Thanks for responding to all my post ....I enjoy my daughters 5 gallon we have been taking care of. Just hope I can keep this 55 up as good. SO I does with Ammonia one last time tonight to make sure everything is cycling in the right amount of time. I plan on a water change again Friday let all the Ammonia run out and Buy a few fish on Sat and let it buck. I have two Zebras I am taking from the little tank and will add to there pack . I read they are tuff fish. I just need to figure out a couple more to start off with that are not spendy so If I loose one it will not be a huge loss. I really hate seeing any fish lost not matter what


Wish me luck....

 

[OldMan47]

Do your water change right before picking up the fish. If you continue to dose to maintain your cycle, the nitrates will build up quickly. Most reasonable stocking levels do not produce near as much nitrates as what we do to cycle a tank. That means it will take less water change to keep things under control. Yes indeed the only way to keep your nitrates within about 20 ppm of the tap water value will be your weekly water changes.