New tank
- Thread starter mrmoog
- Start date
Before you put any fish in it, you have to cycle your tank. Start off by buying one of those master test kits that have ammonia, nitIte, nitrAte, and ph. There are several articles linked on this page you should read:
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...eshwater-beginner-stickies-read-me-first.html
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...eshwater-beginner-stickies-read-me-first.html
Don't trust entirely on those "cycle starter" or "cycle runner" things,...
Make sure that there is no ammonia in the tank, and be sure you have an ammonia source for the bacteria to feed on, such as a raw shrimp, fish food, a few cheap/hardy fish (cycling with a fish). I recommend a fish-less cycle. Many people use pure ammonia.
Make sure that there is no ammonia in the tank, and be sure you have an ammonia source for the bacteria to feed on, such as a raw shrimp, fish food, a few cheap/hardy fish (cycling with a fish). I recommend a fish-less cycle. Many people use pure ammonia.
Unfortunately, it is doubtful that you have enough beneficial bacteria in your tank yet to deal with the bioload/ammonia that adding fish would produce. You'd have to have some nitrates in in there to show that there's bacteria breaking down the ammonia and nitrites.
I also love the Marileland all in ones, but the fishkeeping info that comes with the tanks falls way short. *IGNORE THIS...THINKING OF ANOTHER THREAD.....SORRY*
Usually those cycle products don't do much except cost you money. "bout the only baciteria for sale that usually works is Bio Spiro. It's put out by Marineland labs and some fish stores sell it. It must be kept refrigerated till used since it contains live bacteria. That is why I say it usually works. If the store doesn't keep it properly stored in a frig., it'll be useless when you buy it. It's something you add with fish so there's ammonia to feed the bacteria. Not everyone agrees with this method. Just one of many ideas.
Good luck!*thumbsups
I also love the Marileland all in ones, but the fishkeeping info that comes with the tanks falls way short. *IGNORE THIS...THINKING OF ANOTHER THREAD.....SORRY*
Usually those cycle products don't do much except cost you money. "bout the only baciteria for sale that usually works is Bio Spiro. It's put out by Marineland labs and some fish stores sell it. It must be kept refrigerated till used since it contains live bacteria. That is why I say it usually works. If the store doesn't keep it properly stored in a frig., it'll be useless when you buy it. It's something you add with fish so there's ammonia to feed the bacteria. Not everyone agrees with this method. Just one of many ideas.
Good luck!*thumbsups
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Jake....Maybe you have "magic fish fingers" but telling someone to "Not bother cycling their tank" is just plain nonsense.
There are many different articles on many different forums, that explain exactly why you need to cycle your tank....believe me not everyone of those folks are wrong.
Maybe you and your dad have had great luck and never killed any fish (not likely) but most people don't have such luck. If you must post, at least offer good sound advice.
I should note: I ONCE cycled my tank using hardy fish....It worked sure, but I feel I was lucky, not good.......Food for thought.
There are many different articles on many different forums, that explain exactly why you need to cycle your tank....believe me not everyone of those folks are wrong.
Maybe you and your dad have had great luck and never killed any fish (not likely) but most people don't have such luck. If you must post, at least offer good sound advice.
I should note: I ONCE cycled my tank using hardy fish....It worked sure, but I feel I was lucky, not good.......Food for thought.
It is true, I've read, that if your tank pH is more neutral, your total ammonia levels can be higher without gill damage. ie. if your tank is at 77 degrees and pH is 7.0, apparently your total ammonia level can be 3.6 with little gill damage occurring. My tank pH seems to settle at 7.9, so my total ammonia must be kept .5 at most. Aquaria FAQ This site has a lot of good information IMO. Click on "your first aquarium" then scroll down to the cycling section in the table of contents.
So Jake, what pH do you shoot for and how often are you doing water changes? It could very well be that by watching your pH and doing partial water changes, you are controlling the ammonia level and don't realize it.
Does this make sense to everyone, or am I confused about the whole thing?
So Jake, what pH do you shoot for and how often are you doing water changes? It could very well be that by watching your pH and doing partial water changes, you are controlling the ammonia level and don't realize it.
Does this make sense to everyone, or am I confused about the whole thing?