new tank looks good ....so far!

[fishmama]

appreciating all responses!!!!

we knew NOTHING when we set up the first 10 g tank just over a month ago.
I don't think it ever cycled...we left the store with too many fish...and knowing nothing about "cycling"..
one fish (out of 9) died right away.
the rest stuck around. we named them and watched them. the more i read, the more i tested the water, the more i got scared. i convinced my dear husband to let me buy a bigger tank (such a great corner tank, 36g) we set it up this past sunday...april 6th...i was so scared the fish weren't going to make it because i just couldn't get that ammonia level down...i went to talk to a very reputable mom and pop fish store. owner said..use stability in new tank to get it cycling....on monday two beloved mollies..."princess" the white lyre tailed and "dolly"..the dalmation...passed away.
i gathered up water samples from both tanks and brought it to LFS.
owner said get all fish out now since it's been 48 hours.did it last night.
fish seem happy in new tank..i tested new tank and all is good!!!

i haven't fed them since tuesday morning. i will feed them thursday.

now what????????

i feel like this tank cycled with the stability? i still have to add more day 7 and day 14 but this tank is so much better. of course i have 6 fish in a 36g..the other tank was 9 for a ten g. i know what i did wrong the first time but i'm wondering about bottom feeders and sucker fish for this tank....
and wondering if you think this one has cycled...
and do i do a partial water change regardless of anything a week from yesterday?

am i sort of out of the woods.....having fish die was scary..and my kids were having their stuffed animals die during imaginative play. very stressful!!!

thanks all....love my new aquarium just don't want any more dead fish. i love these guys!

we have one tiger barb
one rosy barb
one long finned silver barb
one black molly
one neon tetra
one xray tetra.

the rosy barb chases the long finned silver barb--otherwise everyone gets along.

[wesleydnunder]

I haven't heard of the product you mentioned. The only live bacteria culture I know of is Bio-Spira, which will speed up the cycling process. What kind of test kit are you using for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests? Aquarium Pharmaceuticals liquid test kits are reliable and reasonably accurate.

When ammonia and nitite have decreased to zero and nitrate begins to increase the tank is cycled.

With those fish I think the barbs will dominate your tank. If it were me, I'd get 5 or six more of each of the tetras and take the barbs back to the lfs. That's just personal preference. I don't really like barbs that much. For a bottom crew, a school of 4 or 5 panda cories would look really cool in your tank and do a good job on bottom patrol. Remember though, cories can't survive just on scraps the other fish leave behind. They need to be fed to stay healthy.

What filtration do you have for this tank? Filtration and water change routine will both help determine the stocking of your tank.

Frequency and amount of partial water changes is debatable, but 50% weekly partials will probably be sufficient for you tank, depending on stocking and filtration.

Mark

[DirtyDawg10]

Here's what the product is Stability
I'm not familiar with it either. Maybe someone else knows.

[fishmama]

well--thanks guys!!!

i am using a dip stick testing kit and from reading everyone's post i guess i better move on up to the liquid testing kits. but it was so wonderful to see no levels of anything this morning and this afternoon.

this does have me suspicious of course, because i did expect to see spikes in nitrates but i don't....
i will be taking a baggies of water to the LFS i like on friday. they do the liquid testing.

stability says rapid and safe establishment of bio filter and it says it prevents new tank syndrome. the LFS owner told me about it when i told him my story about the overpopulated, 10g tank i created-and how i had a 36g up and waiting. he suggested the stability would help me cycle.

the filter is a rena cannister.

i love those barbs!!!

[DirtyDawg10]

If you don't have any signs of nitrates...sorry, your tank isn't cycled yet. Keep testing and keep up with water changes.

[fishmama]

sorry --and one other thought about "stability"....
because my 10 g was so toxic with ammonia..we had to move the fish sooner than we expected to and so--even though i had done one dose of stability at that point (LFS had told me at first to do stability and fill the tank one third..then 7 days later do another stability and fill the tank another third..then another on the 14th day..--different from instructions on bottle)
but---i had to add fishies to new tank so ...i haven't done anymore stability because these 6 fish ARE my stability now. so i guess i am expecting the tank to get cloudy and spikes to occur.

this fish stuff is scary. well the cycling stuff is.

thanks guys. what goes along with barbs then? i love my barbs.

[joephys]

Stability won't cycle your tank faster. There are a lot of products that break down ammonia, and often people using them and think their tank is cycled. It isn't, and ammonia levels will rise as soon as they stop using them. I don't know if the stuff you are using does that, since I haven't looked at it, but its something that happens. The only thing I have that I add to my tank is a good dechlorinator with water changes, and I would personally consider a product like that pointless.

As far as the dip strips, they are basically useless. I have compared liquid tests and tests strips side by side, and they were totally different. I know the liquid tests must have been right because their readings made more sense.

Tanks sometimes get cloudy when they are new, but they don't have too. The ammonia nitrite and nitrate them selves don't change the look of the tank. The cloudiness comes from either algae or bacteria blooms.

Cycling shouldn't be scary, but I can see why it would be if you have a tank full of fish. Its just a slow process that requires a bit of patients and maybe a little manual labor once in a while.

[fishmama]

thanks--i finally fed the little guys today..just a small amount --about 2 flakes a piece. the water --oer dio stick is good. tomorrow i bring in the baggie to the LFS and see what that testing says ..
everyone looks happy and swimming around in their new home.

i do hope that with this higher volume of water and less fish this time...that they will get through a cycling phase.
i guess i doubt one treatment of stability got me over and done.

[JustOneMore21]

I see some stocking issues as well. The fish you have need to be in groups of atleast 6 (except for the Molly). I suggest you pick 2 types that you like and give the others back to the store. Then increase the numbers to 6 of each. While you are cycling, you should probably stick to 1 school for now....then add the other later. You could keep the fish from the second school that you already have in until your tank is cycled. It may be lonely, but atleast it would have a better chance of living as opposed to a FULL tank.

I suggest keeping barbs with barbs and tetras with tetras. Alot of Barbs are pretty rambunctious (sp?) and some can even be nippy (Tiger Barbs). Either way, your tank is only big enough for 2 schools of about 6-8.

Water changes will be your friend while you are cycling. Do a water change whenever the ammonia or nitrItes get over 1ppm. This could mean daily water changes, but its just part of fishy cycling. Cycling takes about 4-5 weeks, so you have a ways to go.

[johnpeezy]

That stability sounds like it has the same directions as API's stress syme which is supposed to be a biological filrtation booster. Supposedly it contains live(dead) bacteria. That cloudy looking stuff in your tank is probably the dead bacteria you added to the tank, at least thats what my research turned up on the internet. I haven't been doing this fish tank stuff long enough to know much but what i do know is this:

The best way to battle your tank cycle is LOTS of elbow grease, waterchanges, waterchanges, WATERCHANGES.

lots of them, everyday if you must (i do).

I have had my new tank for about three weeks or so and my Ammonia level just recently started to drop, but thats only the start of the process.

Then the nitrite level increase, fish look like there breating fine but there suffocating.

I was afraid to do anymore then a 2 gallon water change per day and i lost a diano because of it. With the help of these guys in the forums and my LFS. I now know how to combat my tank cycling.

I now do a regular 6 gallon water change everyother day only adding the clhorine remover. The other days i do a water change as needed (2-4 gallons depending on the ammonis/nitrite/nitrate levels). My suggestion to you (noob to noob) would be to HAUNT these forums, everyone is very helpful here.

BUY a few liquid test kits, one for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, or just a master test kit. This cuts your wait time to see how your water is significantly. You dont have to test it all at once everyday. Since you know your tank is cycling focus on your ammonia and test daily, testing for nitrite less frequently. When ammonia drops to trace levels test nitrite daily, and ammonia less frequently and so on.... then you can perform your water changes as needed. The biggest benifit I NOTICED was the fact i could test ammonia levels RIGHT AFTER I performed a water change to see if i made a significant diffrence if not I repeat.

I was worried about all the water changes I was doing would stress the fish but they actually seem to like it (or they think there getting fed) they go up to where the water is being placed in and swim in the current it makes.

My ammoina would go from .25 ppm to almost 1ppm over night according to the liquid test kit, and I had way less fish then you in a 14 gallon. Its pretty nerve racking trying to keep those guys alive and healty. My tanks is still unstable, however I'm on the downward path now

[mostlycichlids]

Good to see another Coloradoian here on the forums! I would agree for the most with the above replies. In regards to the stocking IMO tetras do best in groups of ten or more. Six is a minimum amount but ten or more would be better. With the stock you have that would be quite a lot. Good luck with the cycling and just be prepared to do lots of partial water changes if you see any spikes in nitrite and ammonia. As far as the other fish you have I can't comment on them I only have experience with the tetras!

[Trixie]

Originally Posted by johnpeezy

I was worried about all the water changes I was doing would stress the fish but they actually seem to like it (or they think there getting fed) they go up to where the water is being placed in and swim in the current it makes.

That is one of my very favorite things - to see how happy the fish are as the fresh water is being poured into the tank. Even if I am feeling lazy and sort of procrastinating about doing my water changes, just knowing how happy the fish are with fresh water is enough to get me off my butt....

[fishmama]

thanks you guys! you are all very helpful! and hello, evergreen!! LOL

well the LFS test did show a spike in ammonia finally so i did a water change today and everyone looks like they have come through just fine.
problem is...now i'm afraid to feed LOL...

how many flakes would you say per fish? 2 a day?

i have to trick the barbs and the black molly on one side of the tank and get the neon and the see through x ray on the other side of the tank.... in order to make sure everyone gets some. today i didn't feed them. i'll feed them tomorrow. is that a good way to go while tank is cycling?

oh---and yes..i am thinking that i am going to have to say goodbye to some of the fish species. just so they can have a school, i guess.

[johnpeezy]

Originally Posted by fishmama

thanks you guys! you are all very helpful! and hello, evergreen!! LOL

well the LFS test did show a spike in ammonia finally so i did a water change today and everyone looks like they have come through just fine.
problem is...now i'm afraid to feed LOL...

how many flakes would you say per fish? 2 a day?

i have to trick the barbs and the black molly on one side of the tank and get the neon and the see through x ray on the other side of the tank.... in order to make sure everyone gets some. today i didn't feed them. i'll feed them tomorrow. is that a good way to go while tank is cycling?

oh---and yes..i am thinking that i am going to have to say goodbye to some of the fish species. just so they can have a school, i guess.

A rule of thumb that i have been told countless times is: "a fishes stomach is approximatley about the size of his eye ball" also since they are not warm blooded they do not burn energy as fast as mamals and do not need to intake as many calories in comparison to the size of the fish.

I'd just feed them once a day (a couple flakes each), As long as your cool with doing water changes al the time. there poop machines

[fishmama]

yes thanks i will really cut back on feeding....every other day and only 2 flakes each.

however here i am on almost a week with this new tank and the ammonia has climbed to .25. i did 3 30 percent water changes in the past 48 hours and it is still at .25.

barbas seem ok but my beloved black molly looks stressed.
i guess...with cycling the tank you want to allow a certain amount of ammonia...like .25 is ok but not any higher....

i am stressed that my mollie is stressed and can't sem to handle this spike.
i will of course do another water change today when i get home from work....
my see through x-ray fish is also stressing it seems...(from .25 ammonia level or from disruptive water changes, i don't know) she is swimming a lot more --all over the tank...an it seems out of character. formally she stayed down low sort of shy like---not un happy , just calm. seems to be kinda jumpy twitchy. maybe the old tank ruined their gills an it is only know surfacing in them? eeks i don't know.

[DirtyDawg10]

You need to do more water changes if your ammonia levels are not dropping. Try 50% WC's daily. I would also compare your test kit results with those from the LFS to see if your kit is accurate. What type of kit are you using?

I would definitely try fishless cycling in the future. It is much easier on the fish as well as much easier on the water changes.

[fishmama]

no joke. wish i'd known all about this before i got the fish LOL

i got home from work today and started doing the tests. i bought an API master liquid test kit yesterday.

the ammonia was up to .50
nitrite actually registered .25
ph was down --from 8 yesterdy to 7.6
and the water temp somehow went down to 75 so i boosted it and started changing the water.

it's hard to calculate the size of my new tank. it's a corner unit . the manufacturer says its 36 gallons.
(measurements are 19 height and 37 width of the bowed front and 22 for the two other sides)---

so i did an 8 gallon water change.

took the new readings.

nitrite is now 0
ammonia down to .25
ph 7.6
temp at 78

my black mollie still looks unhappy.
should i buy her an airstone?
i have been using "stress coat" for water conditioner....
i already have a bubling treasure chest but maybe i need more bubbles?

neon is still alive. x ray swimming around more than usual but looks sorta ok.

barbs have been fine.

should i do another water change today? tomorrow will be one week with the new tank.
i did use a dose of stability once when i filled the tank and again on the very first water change on saturday. since then just have been using stresscoat for water changes.
should i add more salt fo the mollie? will that help?
does salt raise the ph?

help!! thanks so much, everyone!

[joephys]

The tank is just a quarter of a circle, so the volume is 3.14/4*22in*22in*19in*.0043gallons per cubic inch = 31 gallons.

If ammonia is .5ppm, a water change is always in order. When in doubt do a water change. If your bored, do a water change. Water changes are always good

The salt won't help much, and neither will an airstone. The only thing that will help are water changes and time.

[Trixie]

You know, if I got any ammonia reading at all, I would do another water change. Ammonia, even small amounts, can be irritating to fish.

[fishmama]

but.....here's the thing. isn't it a little different when trying to cycle the tank? i have heard people say don't do a water change unless fish are stressing and it's over .50 or over 1.0///let the bacteria grow.....

so that's the conundrum.

LFS today told me to add stability again today and do a water change tomorrow and every day and just keep writing down readings. i did add the salt and the molly---who is the only brackish one of the bunch did seem to like it and start to swim around more and get down from the top.

i bought an airstone and added more bubbles.....so now we have treasure chest plus airstone.....

i guess doing a
fishy cycle is hard because you have to develop that fine line between water changes, growing the bacteria to let it cycle and keeping the fish alive.

thanks for the quarter circle measurement!

mollie is currently at top of tank while i write this. maybe her gills got burned from last 10 g tank that failed and can't handle this current ammonia spike
.25.......i think i'll go do another test and see if i should change the water BEFORE i go to bed. i just don't want to streee them with the water changes either.

thanks for everyones imput....so much!