How long before I add my fish?
- Thread starter Ponera
- Start date
That is the infuriating thing about cycling, it varies.You can't rush these things, let nature do its thing. You're giving yourself the best possible start by putting some seeded media in there and your sacrificial fish will give you your ammonia source.
Your test kit will tell you what's what. Be sure to follow the test procedure to the letter to attain true results, especially bottle #2 on the nitrate test. Shake the hell out it because it crystallises when stood still. Wash your vials out between tests.
Good luck.
If you are insistent upon a fish-in cycle, at the very least you should try to get healthy, disease-free specimens. Starting a new tank with scrawny, disease-ridden feeders that die if they hear harsh language is not ideal.
And cycled media, if it comes from a healthy tank, is a big help. However, there really isn't any such thing as "cycled water"; a store that tries to sell you that is the wrong place to trust.
And cycled media, if it comes from a healthy tank, is a big help. However, there really isn't any such thing as "cycled water"; a store that tries to sell you that is the wrong place to trust.
So with feeder guppies, I advise that you do a 50% water change when either ammonia or nitrites reach 0.50ppm on either test. You should test ammonia and nitrite everyday.
With fishless cycle method, the ammonia is at the set level you add it, like 2ppm, and you just wait. Test nitrite every 2-3 days, until you see it go up. At this point test ammonia, and see how much it goes down. Once ammonia gets to 0ppm, you add more ammonia (up to 2ppm). Watch nitrite level. Once nitrites hit 0ppm, test your nitrates, and it should show above 0ppm. Redose with ammonia up to 2ppm, and if ammonia is 0ppm, and nitrite is 0ppm 2 days after the 3rd dose, you are good to do a large water change to reduce nitrates and add the bichir the same day after the water change.
Test your tap water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates so you know what you are starting out with.
With fishless cycle method, the ammonia is at the set level you add it, like 2ppm, and you just wait. Test nitrite every 2-3 days, until you see it go up. At this point test ammonia, and see how much it goes down. Once ammonia gets to 0ppm, you add more ammonia (up to 2ppm). Watch nitrite level. Once nitrites hit 0ppm, test your nitrates, and it should show above 0ppm. Redose with ammonia up to 2ppm, and if ammonia is 0ppm, and nitrite is 0ppm 2 days after the 3rd dose, you are good to do a large water change to reduce nitrates and add the bichir the same day after the water change.
Test your tap water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates so you know what you are starting out with.
The water was gonna be free, but I didn't end up with it. Just bought some mature media from them. The Ammonia is holding rock steady at 0.25 ppm.
Should I do 10% water changes every day or more?
Tap water has trace amounts of ammonia, not much though.
Should I do 10% water changes every day or more?
Tap water has trace amounts of ammonia, not much though.
Water doesn't carry the bacteria you need. Beneficial bacteria are sessile, meaning they live as biofilm of surfaces like filter media, and substrate
It can take 3 weeks for the tank to cycle from ammonia to nitrite, and another 2 to 4 weeks to cycle from very toxic nitrite, to less toxic nitrate.
It can take 3 weeks for the tank to cycle from ammonia to nitrite, and another 2 to 4 weeks to cycle from very toxic nitrite, to less toxic nitrate.
That sounds right. I am thinking of using pool filter sand for substrate, is it better to toss it in ASAP or wait until post-cycle?
You want your substrate (the pool filter sand) to be colonized with benefial bacteria.
The more spaces they have to colonize the better. Waiting to add it serves no purpose whatsoever.
No need for water change. are you doing a fish in cycle?
If you get ammonia reading straight from tap then your water is more likely treated with chloramine, so you will need a water conditioner to detoxify your tap water
