Time Time

[madcan]

i have had my fish tank for 3 weeks now and have 4 neons and a cat fish left and have only fed them once in 2 weeks coz pet shop said so. But seem happy how long said dont feed coz nitrate is high or summert and amonia from fish food and waste causing it to be very high. But any way how long does it take to cycle a tank with 5 fish innit?? i did have 11 by the way a pet shop owners say 10 neons are best fish to start with now i no diffrent. I do a 50%water change twice weekly aswell as they say need to dilute it alot but am hoping i can put fish in the tank tmz. also how long does live plants liveand
and can u put sum plant growth in tank whilst the tank is cycling
otr will it mess with the cycling? plz answer my questiong in full if poss please need as much info as i can get thanxx

 

[Ian H]

right you need to be doing 30% - 50% water changes DAILY not weekly since you are doing a fish in cycle or get some mature filter media.

Just an idea but if you cut out the muppet typing you will get alot more answers since people can read what your writing

 

[madcan]

lool muppet writing thatll be the beer right i did a 50%water change yesterday and 2 days before that if i keep duin this not i lose alot of bacteria that i need though pet shop says ???

 

[Ian H]

have you got a test kit? i would imagine as long as you keep the ammonia at around 0.25 - 0.50 you will be fine not good for the fish but the bacteria will get fed.

So only do water changes if the ammonia/nitrite gets too high. Then when you you realise you don't need to control them anymore the cycle will be complete.

But to be honest i think all the tetras will die as they are one of the weakest fish around!! i would give them back and do a fishless cycle

 

[madcan]

what about my cat fish he seems fine but im hoping to that my cyccle willbe complete tmz as i get testing at pet shop every week the neons are 10 times brighter now aswell were as before they was dull and not like neons this is a good thing right??? also the tank is clearer that mean any thing to

 

[Ian H]

what cat fish is it?

theres a chance your tank could be cycled but i can;t tell you sorry. your better off buying a test kit yourself. Most people have an API master kit, i use it a couple a times a week and can't fault it at all.

 

[madgap]

Just an idea but if you cut out the muppet typing you will get alot more answers since people can read what your writing

 

[madcan]

i havet a clue what cat fish it is they just said i needed it.hes a little feller called freedie only as big as me thinmb and is brown with a black sides and 4 whiskers just scouts around the tank all day maded really apart from rips me plants to bits

 

[madgap]

Just 'cause your stats are high, doesn't mean that your fish have to starve.
Frankly, and bluntly, I believe your local fish store is giving you very very bad advice indeed. I would advise you to simply ask in the forum. And do your research.

 

[Ian H]

does it look like this:

if so its a bronze cory and you could do with getting another 3 or so

you may want to stop going to that store to as they sound usless!! it's not pets at home is it???

what size is the tank?

 

[madcan]

thats exacly what it is why do i need more of them also CAN I PUT PLANT GROW IN MY TANK OR WILL IT STOP OR INTERFEER WITH MY CYCLE? BY THE WAY THAT PICS A EXACT MATCH THANKS FOOR LOOKING WILL HE NEED FOOD ASAP?

 

[Ian H]

you need more since they need/should be kept in groups. They are VERY active fish and a great addition to any community tank go for at least another 2/3 if possible. The are bottom feeders will eat left over food and other bits on the bottom. Just make sure they are actually getting food. The only way food would make too much ammonia is if you have food left over after feeding, you will be ok feeding daily

i can't see why you can't add plant ferts tbh, although you may get an outbreak of algae

 

[Luketendo]

thats exacly what it is why do i need more of them also CAN I PUT PLANT GROW IN MY TANK OR WILL IT STOP OR INTERFEER WITH MY CYCLE? BY THE WAY THAT PICS A EXACT MATCH THANKS FOOR LOOKING WILL HE NEED FOOD ASAP?

It might interfere with the cycle a bit, leave plants for later. Fish priority now.

Yes fish do need food, they like catfish pellets, they sink to the bottom and tetras and most other mid - top fish ignore them.

 

[madcan]

ian thankz alot for ur help very mush appreciated.hope fully will dinf out if tank is cycled tmz.and will get sum more cat fish if so as r very amusinbg fish to my favourite so far thanx
will keep posted on how tank is cycled tomz

 

[FeroX]

Jesus, can you please take a minute to review your post before you hit submit/add reply? Please...I know you're new but you can still try to type properly, regardless of fish knowledge.