And so it begins... - Aquarium Advice

Phlegethon · 11-12-2003, 07:27 PM

My fish arrived today, from liveaquaria.com:
8 Head & Tail Light Tetras
6 Albino Aeneus Corycats
1 Bushynose Pleco

Water:
79 degrees
pH 7.0 steady for one week
kH 2 gH 3

They all seemed healthy. I acclimated them slowly in a darkened room, floating them in the bags for 25 minutes, adding 1/2 cup of tank water to the bags every 4 minutes for about an hour. Then I netted them and released them into the tank. The corycats mostly swam to the bottom and started looking around, but one seemed to be going nuts, swimming all around very fast. The Tetras started schooling and checking things out, while the Pleco immediately went to work on the large pieces of driftwood. Seeing how hungry the Pleco was I add a small amount of dried brine shrimp flakes and they all seemed very hungry. The catfish settled down a bit once they realized where the food was settling. Before all this I added 2 tablespoons of salt to the tank (40 gallons). Finally, I added 3 oz. of Bio-Spira, 1 oz. to the biofilter, 2 oz. right into the tank.

I was quite nervous about trying this "instant ecosystem" method. I will post further progress as I go. Wish me luck.

P.S. is salt very bad for cory cats? I'm glad I only used a half dose. Also how long should I wait before turning the lights on?

LondonGman · 11-12-2003, 07:45 PM

Congratulations. I am not an expert on Bio-Spira, but other than that, 10% daily water changes for a week or 2 should have your tank up and running. Afterwards 20% weekly changes is all you need. I personally will not add anything else to the tank for now, including the salt unless someone here or you have a good reason to add it. Basically nice fresh water, peace and quiet plus patience is what your tank now needs to get established

Allivymar · 11-12-2003, 08:15 PM

Do keep an eye on your parameters; I've heard of a couple of folk getting "bad bags" that didn't work as well as promised; they cycled the tank, but not fully (low amounts of ammonia or nitrites). However, I've used it...3? 4? times successfully each time. Awesome stuff. I think you'll be pleased.

I'd avoid any measurable level of salt for the corys. While I cannot find any documentation supporting the problems of salt with corys, I have read numerous posts on different forums of folks who had problems with corys when salt was added to the tank.

And pics? Wheres the pics?? [acronym:2ec2ee2812="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:2ec2ee2812] We're waiting!

BrianNY · 11-12-2003, 10:02 PM

It makes me happy to see how excited you are with your new fish. I'm sure theyll be fine!

Phlegethon · 11-13-2003, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianNY

It makes me happy to see how excited you are with your new fish. I'm sure theyll be fine!

Yes, I'm as giddy as a little girl,
I don't want to kill them all!

One of my corycats arrived missing an eye, [acronym:61f5c7b79a="By the way"]btw[/acronym:61f5c7b79a]. It doesn't seem to be any kind of hinderance though. Maybe I'll name that one...

So far no ammonia so I guess the Bio-Spira is working. Amazing stuff...

11-12-2003, 07:27 PM	#1
Phlegethon Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 108 Images: 6	And so it begins... My fish arrived today, from liveaquaria.com: 8 Head & Tail Light Tetras 6 Albino Aeneus Corycats 1 Bushynose Pleco Water: 79 degrees pH 7.0 steady for one week kH 2 gH 3 They all seemed healthy. I acclimated them slowly in a darkened room, floating them in the bags for 25 minutes, adding 1/2 cup of tank water to the bags every 4 minutes for about an hour. Then I netted them and released them into the tank. The corycats mostly swam to the bottom and started looking around, but one seemed to be going nuts, swimming all around very fast. The Tetras started schooling and checking things out, while the Pleco immediately went to work on the large pieces of driftwood. Seeing how hungry the Pleco was I add a small amount of dried brine shrimp flakes and they all seemed very hungry. The catfish settled down a bit once they realized where the food was settling. Before all this I added 2 tablespoons of salt to the tank (40 gallons). Finally, I added 3 oz. of Bio-Spira, 1 oz. to the biofilter, 2 oz. right into the tank. I was quite nervous about trying this "instant ecosystem" method. I will post further progress as I go. Wish me luck. P.S. is salt very bad for cory cats? I'm glad I only used a half dose. Also how long should I wait before turning the lights on?

11-12-2003, 07:45 PM	#2
LondonGman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leytonstone, London Posts: 224 Images: 2	Congratulations. I am not an expert on Bio-Spira, but other than that, 10% daily water changes for a week or 2 should have your tank up and running. Afterwards 20% weekly changes is all you need. I personally will not add anything else to the tank for now, including the salt unless someone here or you have a good reason to add it. Basically nice fresh water, peace and quiet plus patience is what your tank now needs to get established __________________ old signature here my fish tank

11-12-2003, 08:15 PM	#3
Allivymar Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,355 Images: 15	Do keep an eye on your parameters; I've heard of a couple of folk getting "bad bags" that didn't work as well as promised; they cycled the tank, but not fully (low amounts of ammonia or nitrites). However, I've used it...3? 4? times successfully each time. Awesome stuff. I think you'll be pleased. I'd avoid any measurable level of salt for the corys. While I cannot find any documentation supporting the problems of salt with corys, I have read numerous posts on different forums of folks who had problems with corys when salt was added to the tank. And pics? Wheres the pics?? [acronym:2ec2ee2812="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:2ec2ee2812] We're waiting! __________________ aka Cycling Guru and the Ich Slayer glares at Terry and QTOFFER Card carrying member of FTAS & GCAS.

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11-12-2003, 10:02 PM	#4
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	It makes me happy to see how excited you are with your new fish. I'm sure theyll be fine!