Would This Work?

[bordercollie05]

So, I sort of jumped in a little faster than I should have and purchased 2 angelfish for my 28 gallon before it was done cycling. I'm new at this and didn't completely understand the cycling stuff before I got them, but since then I've been reading a lot about it. I have test kits now and I've realized that I've got 1ppm of Ammonia in my tank. The nitrates and nitrites haven't shown up yet. Upon further testing, I discovered our tap water has 1ppm of Ammonia as well! I never would have guessed this as I've kept bettas with no problems for about 2 months here now (I'm in an apartment at college). I have a ten gallon with 5 female bettas that has no ammonia, no nitrites and 5 Nitrates.

My angels have developed fin rot I think, and they seem to be hanging at the top gasping for air. I was wondering about swapping the angels with the bettas until the 28 gallon is established. I just thought maybe the bettas could handle it better since the seem a lot tougher than the angels.

What do you think?

 

[nunchucks]

So, I sort of jumped in a little faster than I should have and purchased 2 angelfish for my 28 gallon before it was done cycling. I'm new at this and didn't completely understand the cycling stuff before I got them, but since then I've been reading a lot about it. I have test kits now and I've realized that I've got 1ppm of Ammonia in my tank. The nitrates and nitrites haven't shown up yet. Upon further testing, I discovered our tap water has 1ppm of Ammonia as well! I never would have guessed this as I've kept bettas with no problems for about 2 months here now (I'm in an apartment at college). I have a ten gallon with 5 female bettas that has no ammonia, no nitrites and 5 Nitrates.

My angels have developed fin rot I think, and they seem to be hanging at the top gasping for air. I was wondering about swapping the angels with the bettas until the 28 gallon is established. I just thought maybe the bettas could handle it better since the seem a lot tougher than the angels.

What do you think?

IF you swap the bettas with the angels, you'll be having the same problem. putting fish in an uncycled tank is a recipe for disaster. your best bet would be to return the angel fish, because if the ammonia doesn't kill them, it'll surely stunt their life.

IF you do decide to keep the angels or bettas in the uncycled tank, do frequent water changes to make sure the ammonia does not build up, and for the possible fin rot, medicate ASAP. next time i urge you to research the nitrogen cycle and wait until the tank is fully cycled.

good luck.

 

[bordercollie05]

I don't understand the difference between cycling with my bettas or doing any other type of fish-cycling...Don't people use danios and other hardy fish? Or are my bettas too sensative also? Is it because there are too many? I'm just confused....

 

[nunchucks]

I don't understand the difference between cycling with my bettas or doing any other type of fish-cycling...Don't people use danios and other hardy fish? Or are my bettas too sensative also? Is it because there are too many? I'm just confused....

i'm only discouraging you from cycling with the bettas because they appear to be your pets. i mean, there is a high chance of some them dying and the rest being stunted if you put them in your new tank, not to mention the fact that the bettas might get fin rot too. i don't know about you but i'd be pretty sad if my pets that had for a while died. i don't think 5 would be enough for that big of a tank anyway. have you considered fishless cycling? there are plenty of articles in the forum about fishless cycling.

 

[bordercollie05]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate your help. I have read about fishless cycling, maybe I'll give it a shot.

 

[bordercollie05]

i'm only discouraging you from cycling with the bettas because they appear to be your pets. i mean, there is a high chance of some them dying and the rest being stunted if you put them in your new tank, not to mention the fact that the bettas might get fin rot too. i don't know about you but i'd be pretty sad if my pets that had for a while died. i don't think 5 would be enough for that big of a tank anyway. have you considered fishless cycling? there are plenty of articles in the forum about fishless cycling.
[/quote]

After reading more about fishless cycling, I have decided to give it a shot. I didn't realize that it was so risky to use fish in cycling a tank, I never had a problem with my betta fish, but I realize now that not only are they hardier fish, but I also added them one at a time which probably helped. Basically, I just got lucky with them.

I moved them back into their original bowls (~ 1 gallon each) that they lived in all summer. I think they should be okay like this if I keep a close eye on the cleanliness of the water. I used half tap water and half water from the tank they were in to fill the bowls.

I put my angel fish (one passed away ) in the cycled 10 gallon as a temporary home for her while her bigger tank cycles. I know thats pushing it for tank size of an angel, but it was the only thing I could think of as the pet store wouldn't take her back.

I plan on starting the fishless cycle tomorrow if I can find the ammonia at the local hardware store.

Thank you so much for your tips and advice! I think it saved my angel (who is also being treated for the fin rot with maracyn II)

 

[nunchucks]

i'm only discouraging you from cycling with the bettas because they appear to be your pets. i mean, there is a high chance of some them dying and the rest being stunted if you put them in your new tank, not to mention the fact that the bettas might get fin rot too. i don't know about you but i'd be pretty sad if my pets that had for a while died. i don't think 5 would be enough for that big of a tank anyway. have you considered fishless cycling? there are plenty of articles in the forum about fishless cycling.

After reading more about fishless cycling, I have decided to give it a shot. I didn't realize that it was so risky to use fish in cycling a tank, I never had a problem with my betta fish, but I realize now that not only are they hardier fish, but I also added them one at a time which probably helped. Basically, I just got lucky with them.

I moved them back into their original bowls (~ 1 gallon each) that they lived in all summer. I think they should be okay like this if I keep a close eye on the cleanliness of the water. I used half tap water and half water from the tank they were in to fill the bowls.

I put my angel fish (one passed away ) in the cycled 10 gallon as a temporary home for her while her bigger tank cycles. I know thats pushing it for tank size of an angel, but it was the only thing I could think of as the pet store wouldn't take her back.

I plan on starting the fishless cycle tomorrow if I can find the ammonia at the local hardware store.

Thank you so much for your tips and advice! I think it saved my angel (who is also being treated for the fin rot with maracyn II)

glad i could help. good luck!

sorry to hear about the angel, but at least now you'll know not to put them in uncycled tanks.