Update from Murfreesboro Newbie
[I hope I am doing this post correctly. All I saw was a "reply" button, but this is really a new thread and I didn't see that option.]
I just posted my update on the Getting Started board. Mainly I just want to let my Tennessee neighbors know that none of my 8 fish have died. (At least, NOT YET! I hope this doesn't jinx my tank!) Tomorrow is the end of Week 3 and cycling with fish-in has finally gone into full swing. (Ammonia is usually between 3 and 5 when I check it in the afternoon. I do a PWC of 25 - 50% and the levels come down to 1. When I replace the water from the tap, I am putting Prime in it to condition the water. I know that adding Prime lowers the Ammonia, but I hope this is an acceptable practice since my fish are in the tank. I am doing the water changes once or twice a day. No NitrItes for the past week and NitrAtes are around 5.
I am getting used to the API test kit, but I had a hard time, at first, reading the colors. I wish there were a kit that gave you a reading in numbers, not colors. Still, I am getting better.
I am enjoying myself so much that I bought a 29 gallon tank with all the amenities. Then I was practically given a 10 gallon tank ($10 for the whole thing. I just had to buy the hood / light.) I am cycling these tanks without fish.
Anyway...Thanks again for all the words of welcome and encouragement!
P.S. I reread the Wardlaw Fin Facts booklet we got in 1990 when we first set up the 20 gallon tank for the kids. The booklet said nothing about cycling. (I didn't think I remembered doing it back then.) Is cycling the tank something that has only been recommended in recent years? (Okay, I am showing my age--23 years ago seems like "recent years" to me!)
