New 75 gallon (is it ready?)

[deeda]

Finthusiast , you didn't post what your ammonia level is in the 75G tank and it sounds as if you are using test strips since your nitrate is 20-40ppm. What test kit are you using?

You really haven't been cycling the 75G tank very long though it is possible that the cycle is started but may not be finished yet since you have added some amount of cycled media from the existing 10G tank.

Have you been keeping a written log of your water testing results for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? If so, post when you started cycling the 75G tank and what your test results have been by the date you tested.

You should have zero ammonia, zero nitrite and some level of nitrate above 10ppm for at least a week after the cycling process is finished.

Usually fish-less cycling uses some type of bottled bacteria, very mature media from a cycled aquarium, the transfer of the existing filter with its mature media to the new tank or clear bottled ammonia from a store.

No reason to start another topic and ask similar questions on if it's OK to move the fish, much better to ask in this topic since all the relevant information will be in the same place.

I know you are excited about the new tank and moving your fish so I'm not trying to be mean here. ?

 

[Finthusiast]

Thanks for the input I will wait one more week and then if levels stay at 0 ammonia and nitrite im good? Im using an api liquid test kit but it was orange looking (20ppm) then put up to paper and turned closer to the red color of the 20-40 ppm (20 and 40 ppm look like almost the same color to my eyes)
So I guess it is closer to 20ppm but hard to really tell it looks orange in bottle but it says hold up to white paper and then it actually looks more red

 

[islandguy11]

Thanks for the input I will wait one more week and then if levels stay at 0 ammonia and nitrite im good? Im using an api liquid test kit but it was orange looking (20ppm) then put up to paper and turned closer to the red color of the 20-40 ppm (20 and 40 ppm look like almost the same color to my eyes)
So I guess it is closer to 20ppm but hard to really tell it looks orange in bottle but it says hold up to white paper and then it actually looks more red

Yeah it's really not easy to read API's nitrite level. But what you're supposed to do from what I've heard is to hold the vial about a small finger's width away from the color card. In my thinking if it's orange it's time for a water change; if red (which I really never get in my lightly stocked tanks and weekly water changes) it would entail a larger water change.

But like others have said for now hold off on any water changes until you're more confident the cycle is ready to add fish. Good luck and keep us updated how it goes, your fish will love it's bigger new home.

 

[Finthusiast]

Wow ok thanks for tip on the api test kit. I wasnt sure about that really so assumed higher if anything to be safe lol

 

[Schniz]

I bought rocks for my Mbuna tank from a local landscape supply store. It was a lot cheaper than buying from the LFS and I could dig through the pallets of rocks and find the size and shape I was looking for. Many people on here use rocks they collect at local rivers and lakes. Just make sure you clean them off and then boil them to kill off anything that might be living on them. And make sure you let them cool off to the same temperature as your tank water before putting them in your tank.

 

[Finthusiast]

Thanks for those tips Schniz I will check different places Im sure I will find something lol

 

[deeda]

No real reason to boil the rocks, a good cleaning with tap water and a scrub brush that hasn't been used with any cleaners or chemicals will be just fine. Be aware that some people say that boiling or baking rocks may cause them to explode if they have any fine cracks in them.

 

[Schniz]

Never heard that before. Glad none of the many rocks I've boiled were of the exploding type.

 

[Schniz]

D deeda do you at least clean them with some type of diluted bleach solution or does the chloramine in the tap water kill anything living on them? I read about boiling rocks probably 18 years ago and have just done it that way ever since. Most things I do are probably considered old school, part of the reason I like reading the threads on here.

 

[deeda]

Schniz , I haven't added rocks in years and I have untreated well tap water in my home. I have seen some people suggest using a diluted bleach/water solution to clean rocks, rinse well in tap water and then soak in a dechlorinator/water solution with good results.

I have purchase rocks in bulk before, and what I am using in most of my tanks is called Feather rock which is porous and floats on water when dry. In my case I used a big turkey fryer pot filled with water and boiled them outdoors until they sunk and then transferred them to a separate container of water to keep them sunk until ready for the aquarium. I have also baked dry ones at 200F and quickly submerged them in a tub of water in the kitchen when it was too cold out. In both cases I have never had them explode though that may be due to the composition of the Feather Rock or just my good fortune.