What happens during cycling?

[Aoibhell]

My husband started cycling his 30g tank last sunday. He has some plants in there, and 6 danios. He's been treating the water with Stability, as directed.

I've been testing his water everyday, and his ammonia always seem to read at .25 since the beginning. I find it kind of hard to read that test, so I assumed I was reading it wrong. Last night, we noticed that his was smelling really bad. Today, I did another reading, and other than the ph being up at 8.2 from a 7.4- 7.6. The ammonia still appears to be .25, although it seems more pronounced. NI/NA are both at zero. The water is still crystal clear.

Is the ph supposed to rise like that? I've heard that an ammonia spike could cause false readings on ph, but there really doesn't seem to be much of a change. What is causing the smell, when the readings seem fairly normal?

You should know that he bought 5 danios on sunday from one lfs, but one was dying on the way home (very unexpected traffic, too much time in the bag, I presume). He bought 3 more danios from another lfs on Tuesday. Another danio from the 1st batch died yesterday (Wednesday). The others seem fine, so far.

 

[KcMopar]

This will have a ton of info and answers for you. http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...eshwater-beginner-stickies-read-me-first.html

 

[Aoibhell]

This will have a ton of info and answers for you. http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...eshwater-beginner-stickies-read-me-first.html

Those are links to great info... for fishless cycling. Unless I missed it, my questions are not even touched upon in those stickies.

 

[OrangeCones]

0.25 ppm ammonia would not have a 'smell' noticible. I am very sensitive to odors, and can't detect 8ppm.

Are there plants decaying? How are the fish acting?

pH rising so quicky is not common, no. If anything, it would fall over time. What do you use as substrate? Any rocks that are slowly dissolving (limestone, etc.)

 

[Aoibhell]

0.25 ppm ammonia would not have a 'smell' noticible. I am very sensitive to odors, and can't detect 8ppm.

Are there plants decaying? How are the fish acting?

There is some browning on the plants.. I hadn't thought about that. Maybe I need to change the light to one that's more substantial...

Thanks

 

[OrangeCones]

More light is not necessarily a fix to browning leaves.

Are you sure they are aquatic plants? Can you post pics of them? Sadly, a lot of stores sell plants that are not aquatic, but those that can tolorate a few weeks or months underwater (marginal plants). These will decay over time.

Also, a lot of aquariuam plants are grown emerged, not submerged (faster growth on the farms), so a lot of die-off is normal even for the right plants. The leaves used in the air are usually different (thicker) than those that are underwater, to function properly.

 

[Aoibhell]

(I know this one is some kind of mint plant)

(Kind of hard to make out, but the swirly looking plants in the foreground)

(Thanks for helping me out!)

 

[OrangeCones]

Plant #1 is not aquatic. It is named Pilea cadierel, commonly called "Aluminum Plant".
Plant #2 looks aquatic, but would need better shots of a few leaves to be sure.
Plant #3 is aquatic. It is named Vallisneria americana v. 'Biwaensis', commonly called Corkscrew Val.
Plant #4 is aquatic. A better shot of the top of the plant and a shot of the bottom would help in identifying it. Some are floaters and can be draped under things like rocks or driftwood, but they grow from both ends so never form 'roots.' If yours decays from the bottom, but grows from the top, it is the type that does not root. Putting it in the gravel will only kill that end off.

 

[Aoibhell]

Plant #1 is not aquatic. It is named Pilea cadierel, commonly called "Aluminum Plant".
Plant #2 looks aquatic, but would need better shots of a few leaves to be sure.
Plant #3 is aquatic. It is named Vallisneria americana v. 'Biwaensis', commonly called Corkscrew Val.
Plant #4 is aquatic. A better shot of the top of the plant and a shot of the bottom would help in identifying it. Some are floaters and can be draped under things like rocks or driftwood, but they grow from both ends so never form 'roots.' If yours decays from the bottom, but grows from the top, it is the type that does not root. Putting it in the gravel will only kill that end off.

Wow... this is all very helpful...Thank you! The 4th is indeed rotting from the bottom and growing on the top. Too bad... it looked really pretty rooted... lol. Do you think I could just plant the aluminum plant in a pot of soil?

 

[OrangeCones]

Thank you!

You're welcome!

The 4th is indeed rotting from the bottom and growing on the top. Too bad... it looked really pretty rooted

As long as you do not bury one end, it will grow from both. Be careful if you remove clippings of it, or if you decide to not keep the plant. It is an invasive species. We all must be aware of this possibility and dispose of clippings ethicly.

Do you think I could just plant the aluminum plant in a pot of soil?

Sure can. They take a lot of humidity and not too much heat. Depends on your climate if they can grown indoors or outside.

How to Care for the Pilea Cadierei Plant | Home Guides | SF Gate