Emperer 400's

[Bderick67]

the shrimp way would be easy for me i work in a seafood market . . . but a month??

Actually it will take a little longer to properly cycle you tank. There are quicker ways to do it. You can try to acquire some used filter media, though I don't recommend this as you are trying to build the colony of bacteria on your bio wheels. There are also brands of bacteria in a bottle. You may try soaking the biowheel in some for a day then put back in the filter.

Since you are trying to colonize the biowheels it is best that you don't run any other media in your emps until they are cycled. Since the other media is either cleaned or thrown away you don't want to be growing media there.

You need to research the nitrogen cycle(see link below) and buy a quality test kit, so you can test ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. These levels will let you know when your tank is cycled and ready for fish.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

 

[Snakeheadman]

cool im going to my LFS right now to check some stuff out. I appreciate all the help you guys I dont know what i would do without it. ill keep you guys updated and maybe some pics soon

 

[Snakeheadman]

okay so its been over 2 weeks and my ammonia has since spiked and gone down. . .now my nitrites and nitrates are both up how long do you think untill they drop? im trying to be patient but i want some fish

 

[Ullopincrate]

How high off the gravel did you leave your strainer. I'm curious as to the variety of levels people pick and why. My substrate is larger and my strainer is only about 1.5" from the substrate.

 

[crazy clowntang]

I keep my strainer about an inch of the gravel, but i use big gravel so there is no danger of the gravel getting into the filter.

 

[ProblEmZ]

okay so its been over 2 weeks and my ammonia has since spiked and gone down. . .now my nitrites and nitrates are both up how long do you think untill they drop? im trying to be patient but i want some fish

What are the numbers 'exactly'? Current ank stock? Basically what method of cycling are you using?


But you are still in the cycle. Give it some more time, keep checking parameters until ammonia=0, nitrites=0, and nitrates= 10-40.

 

[Snakeheadman]

I have large Gravel. . .my strainers are a little over an inch off of the gravel.
i have 2 dozen feeder comets in there, but i spoke too soon i just got home from work and my nitrites have gone down but my nitrates are still about the same somewhere between 40 and 50

 

[Snakeheadman]

another quick question. Im looking for a good combo of some cool aggressive fish. Any suggestions?

 

[Finalfire9]

Clown knifes and Oscars

 

[ozpkchris]

if ammonia is zero and nitrites are zero you should be able to add 'a' fish