I was thinking about trying bio-spira, but I don't really trust the pet stores around here to restock. After hurricane Wilma we lost power for quite some time, and I know bio-spira has to be kept refridgerated so that the live bacteria will stay cold and dormant so they don't die in the bag. I just think the stores around here never bothered to restock and have the same old ****.
Finally got the 125! Now how to cycle...
- Thread starter mikehawk
- Start date
Well, it's been 2 weeks and the last time a goldfish died was two or three days ago. I decided not to do water changes during the cycling period because I figured it would speed up the process, and I really didn't care if the goldfish feeders died or not.
When I test the water, what should I look for? How will I know when the tank is fully cycled?
When I test the water, what should I look for? How will I know when the tank is fully cycled?
mikehawk said:
That is really too bad, and I have pity on you for that attitude. After all, a fish is a fish. Granted, feeder are doomed to die, but at least that should happen for a better reason. Had you used bacterial starter (some have a long shelf live w/o refrigeration) like other have suggested, unnecessary losses could have been prevented.
mikehawk said:
Check nitrite and ammonia. Both should be non-detectable before you add more fish. Introduce a few fish at a time (i.e. days apart), not all at once. Monitor both parameters closely and stop adding fish if the values rise. Perform water changes if necessary.
Besides that, it is always advisable to check the pH, nitrate, phosphate, and, if you keep plants, iron.
good luck,
HarleyK
