Hello all
I jumped into this hobby blindly trying to help my kids get over some kittens we had to re home. Sounds strange I know, long story. Anyhow, FF 3 weeks and a bit of research... I have a 10 gallon tank stocked with one Silver Molly, one Lyretail Molly, and three Neon Tetras. They all seem to be doing OK. I purchased a bubble wall to ensure enough oxygen in the water. PH is usually right around 7.2. And water temp at 78F. I bought some conditioner and some Nitrifying Bacteria starter. Also purchased an API Freshwater master kit.
I have been doing 50% daily to bi-daily water changes depending on my readings. I have been adding the conditioner at every water change.
First question... Should I be adding the bacteria starter with every water change as well? I am confused on this part. The bottle says to add it whenever you do a water change, doing a filter change, or adding new fish. However, I have been reading online that a bacteria starter should only be used during the initial fill up of a new tank.
Second question... Approximately how long does a fish-in cycle take? From what I've read, it seems a fishless cycle would be much quicker as you can keep the ammonia in the tank for the bacteria to feed off of and go forth smoothly with the cycle. Where as with a fish-in cycle I am changing the water so often, it seems that the cycle could take forever.
Thank you in advance!
I jumped into this hobby blindly trying to help my kids get over some kittens we had to re home. Sounds strange I know, long story. Anyhow, FF 3 weeks and a bit of research... I have a 10 gallon tank stocked with one Silver Molly, one Lyretail Molly, and three Neon Tetras. They all seem to be doing OK. I purchased a bubble wall to ensure enough oxygen in the water. PH is usually right around 7.2. And water temp at 78F. I bought some conditioner and some Nitrifying Bacteria starter. Also purchased an API Freshwater master kit.
I have been doing 50% daily to bi-daily water changes depending on my readings. I have been adding the conditioner at every water change.
First question... Should I be adding the bacteria starter with every water change as well? I am confused on this part. The bottle says to add it whenever you do a water change, doing a filter change, or adding new fish. However, I have been reading online that a bacteria starter should only be used during the initial fill up of a new tank.
Second question... Approximately how long does a fish-in cycle take? From what I've read, it seems a fishless cycle would be much quicker as you can keep the ammonia in the tank for the bacteria to feed off of and go forth smoothly with the cycle. Where as with a fish-in cycle I am changing the water so often, it seems that the cycle could take forever.
Thank you in advance!