Hi there!
Ā
So Iām not exactly new to the game, having maintained an Aqua One AR620T (130 litres) for three years, and apart from the early losses while I was learning the craft (and completely unaware of the fishless cycle, thanks LFS), the tank is stable and the fish are peaceful and growing. I have 5 goldfish and a couple of catfish (BN and a Chinese Algae Eater).
Ā
Not knowing any better, I followed the instructions from the LFS, the guy there seemed quite knowledgeable and has won awards for his fish, however as it turns out I had a fish-in cycle happening. Everything went fairly well until about 3 months in, when I added another couple of fish, bringing the total to 8 comets. The next morning all were floating upside down, and the BN pleco was also deceased. So I cleaned the whole lot out and started again, and after a fortnight everything was go, and I've not lost a fish since. I get the impression I went through a mini-cycle that was too much for the poor little things.
Ā
I recently purchased a second hand 200l (56g) 4 foot tank (48ā by 18ā by 15ā) and intend to set up a tropical paradise. I have a few questions about it.
Ā
It has an Aquis 1000 filter in it, but I've set it up as per instructions and I'm getting a rattling noise. Once I disassembled it, I found some of the bio-balls have come up the outlet pipe to the impeller and are rattling in the pipe. Can I just put an extra sponge (plenty of room) on top of the bio-balls to stop them coming up the pipe?
Ā
Being in Australia, I couldn't find ammonia until I found a seller on ebay, I'm a couple of days into the cycle and intend to do a fairly large media swap (clay nodules in both tanks) this weekend to hopefully kick-start the cycle. If the tank has 3.5ppm ammonia, will this affect the existing bacteria (or fish)Ā in the established tank?
Ā
I also inherited what I believe to be Australian Rainbow fish, they are currently coexisting in the goldfish tank (it's summer here so the water's 24 degrees). When I finish cycling, Iām hoping to stock with:
3 Australian Rainbow Fish.
12 Head and Taillight Tetras.
12 Neon Tetras.
6 Glass Catfish.
2 BN Plecos.
Plants, plants and more plants.
Maybe some snails, I love the big golden Mystery snails.
According to my research this appears to be a suitable mix and quantity, the Rainbows should provide the centrepiece while the others add their own special mix of colour and movement. I have driftwood so the BNās should be happy. Iām desperately keen to get started, but I know patience is the key...
Ā
Iāve also heard that Neons can be delicate, so would it be an idea to move the goldfish into the new tank for a while to help establish the water, or is that just too stressful on them to move them and back again, are Tetras hardier than that? And should I stock all the fish if the tankās completely cycled, or do it gradually?
Ā
One final question, when I clean the tank, should I leave the plants in the gravel? It seems a bit invasive to take them out and disturb the roots, but if I donāt suck the gravel around the plants, will this cause any issues long term? It hasnāt really been a problem until now, I used to have a fish who would decimate any plant I put in, I have since re-homed him to someone with a pond. Since heās gone, the plants are flourishing.
Ā
Current tank parameters:
Water 24 degrees
Ammonia 3.5ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
pH 7.4 (I think this is a bit high, but with driftwood I believe it will come down while the tank cycles).
Ā
I also have a picture, but itās a bare tank so itās pretty boring. For now... And sorry for the long post!
Ā
Ā
So Iām not exactly new to the game, having maintained an Aqua One AR620T (130 litres) for three years, and apart from the early losses while I was learning the craft (and completely unaware of the fishless cycle, thanks LFS), the tank is stable and the fish are peaceful and growing. I have 5 goldfish and a couple of catfish (BN and a Chinese Algae Eater).
Ā
Not knowing any better, I followed the instructions from the LFS, the guy there seemed quite knowledgeable and has won awards for his fish, however as it turns out I had a fish-in cycle happening. Everything went fairly well until about 3 months in, when I added another couple of fish, bringing the total to 8 comets. The next morning all were floating upside down, and the BN pleco was also deceased. So I cleaned the whole lot out and started again, and after a fortnight everything was go, and I've not lost a fish since. I get the impression I went through a mini-cycle that was too much for the poor little things.
Ā
I recently purchased a second hand 200l (56g) 4 foot tank (48ā by 18ā by 15ā) and intend to set up a tropical paradise. I have a few questions about it.
Ā
It has an Aquis 1000 filter in it, but I've set it up as per instructions and I'm getting a rattling noise. Once I disassembled it, I found some of the bio-balls have come up the outlet pipe to the impeller and are rattling in the pipe. Can I just put an extra sponge (plenty of room) on top of the bio-balls to stop them coming up the pipe?
Ā
Being in Australia, I couldn't find ammonia until I found a seller on ebay, I'm a couple of days into the cycle and intend to do a fairly large media swap (clay nodules in both tanks) this weekend to hopefully kick-start the cycle. If the tank has 3.5ppm ammonia, will this affect the existing bacteria (or fish)Ā in the established tank?
Ā
I also inherited what I believe to be Australian Rainbow fish, they are currently coexisting in the goldfish tank (it's summer here so the water's 24 degrees). When I finish cycling, Iām hoping to stock with:
3 Australian Rainbow Fish.
12 Head and Taillight Tetras.
12 Neon Tetras.
6 Glass Catfish.
2 BN Plecos.
Plants, plants and more plants.
Maybe some snails, I love the big golden Mystery snails.
According to my research this appears to be a suitable mix and quantity, the Rainbows should provide the centrepiece while the others add their own special mix of colour and movement. I have driftwood so the BNās should be happy. Iām desperately keen to get started, but I know patience is the key...
Ā
Iāve also heard that Neons can be delicate, so would it be an idea to move the goldfish into the new tank for a while to help establish the water, or is that just too stressful on them to move them and back again, are Tetras hardier than that? And should I stock all the fish if the tankās completely cycled, or do it gradually?
Ā
One final question, when I clean the tank, should I leave the plants in the gravel? It seems a bit invasive to take them out and disturb the roots, but if I donāt suck the gravel around the plants, will this cause any issues long term? It hasnāt really been a problem until now, I used to have a fish who would decimate any plant I put in, I have since re-homed him to someone with a pond. Since heās gone, the plants are flourishing.
Ā
Current tank parameters:
Water 24 degrees
Ammonia 3.5ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
pH 7.4 (I think this is a bit high, but with driftwood I believe it will come down while the tank cycles).
Ā
I also have a picture, but itās a bare tank so itās pretty boring. For now... And sorry for the long post!
Ā