FishEggs
Aquarium Advice Addict
it's a suction cup soap dish.
My first tank! 10g
- Thread starter Alaris
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Thanks! I wanted a black bg and Ed wanted a blue holographic one. The black glitter felt was only 77 cents for a 9 x12 piece. I needed 2.5, but bought 4 for $3.33. It's the stiff felt, not the soft felt so it cost a little more, but it stands up nicely behind my tank. I trimmed it down to 11in high and used masking tape along the top and bottom black frame to keep it in place.
FishEggs
Aquarium Advice Addict
ahhhhhh one of the many lessons of patience, grasshopper.
don't worry it'll get there eventually.
Are you going planted?
don't worry it'll get there eventually.
Are you going planted?
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Well at least it's the end of week 1. And I have some nitrItes already, so that's promising.
Yes I'm going to plant. Quite a bit of java moss and some anubias nana petites and then something tall for the background to hide the heater/filter. My husband doesn't want it heavily planted. I figure I'll add some plants when the ammonia finally starts going down. This will give me a chance to check out the lfs's.
FishEggs
Aquarium Advice Addict
don't ya hate long threads where some idiot 
doesn't go back to the beginning and asks a question that was already answered. 
lol
doesn't go back to the beginning and asks a question that was already answered. lol
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
That's ok, Matt. You're not the only to keep asking me. lol It will be much easier to remember once I plant and post pictures that I have plants.
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Day 1 (8-26): ammonia = 8.0+
Day 2 (8-27): ammonia = 8.0+ nitrIte = 0
Day 3 (8-28 ): First: ammonia = 8.0+ After 50% PWC: ammonia = 8.0+
Day 4 (8-29): First: ammonia = 8.0+ After 50% PWC: ammonia = 4.0 > 8.0
Day 5 (8-30): Ammonia = 4.0 > 8.0, nitrIte = 0 > .25
Day 6 (8-31): evening: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = >.25, nitrAte = 5.0
Day 7 (9-1): morning: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = >.50, nitrAte = 5.0
Today at 4pm: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = 1.0 <--still climbing \^o^/
Day 2 (8-27): ammonia = 8.0+ nitrIte = 0
Day 3 (8-28 ): First: ammonia = 8.0+ After 50% PWC: ammonia = 8.0+
Day 4 (8-29): First: ammonia = 8.0+ After 50% PWC: ammonia = 4.0 > 8.0
Day 5 (8-30): Ammonia = 4.0 > 8.0, nitrIte = 0 > .25
Day 6 (8-31): evening: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = >.25, nitrAte = 5.0
Day 7 (9-1): morning: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = >.50, nitrAte = 5.0
Today at 4pm: ammonia = 4.0, nitrIte = 1.0 <--still climbing \^o^/
FishEggs
Aquarium Advice Addict
or the Jeopardy theme song.
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Or Kirby dancing to the Jeopardy theme song.....
The DDR remix version!!
Imagine.....
The DDR remix version!!
Imagine.....
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Day 7 (9-1): evening Ammonia = 4.0+ NitrIte = 1.0
Day 8 (9-2): Ammonia = 4.0 NitrIte = 1.0
Day 9 (9-3): Ammonia = 2.0+ (closer to 4.0) NitrIte = 5.0
Day 8 (9-2): Ammonia = 4.0 NitrIte = 1.0
Day 9 (9-3): Ammonia = 2.0+ (closer to 4.0) NitrIte = 5.0
FishEggs
Aquarium Advice Addict
Doo b doo b dooooooo
lookin good.
lookin good.
marchmaxima
Aquarium Advice Addict
This part of the worst time IMO! It takes aaaaages for the nitrite to come down in comparison with the ammonia. At least it did for me.
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Day 10 (9-4): Ammonia = 2.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
Day 11 (9-5): Ammonia = 2.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
Day 12 (9-6): Ammonia = 1.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
~added more ammonia. I just dipped a stick in the ammonia and threw some drops in the tank, probably about 6-10.
Tested: Ammonia = 2.0 NitrIte = 5.0
Day 13 (9-7): Ammonia = 1.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
~added about the same amount of ammonia again. I tried to do a little more.
Tested: Ammonia = 2.0 NitrIte = 5.0
I'll test again tonight and probably add some more ammonia. The first time I did a capful and that was about 20+ ppm. I might try pouring a tiny bit into a paper cup and then slowly put in a few drops from it.
I'm going to run out of my ammonia test at this rate.
Edit: I tested ammonia again before adding more and it was at 1.0. So I did the paper cup thing, but instead of dropping I still threw it in (IT REEKS!!). I tested an hour later and it's at /almost/ 4.0 (just a little lighter).
I finally figured out what ammonia smells like....hair color. duh. Or I should rather say: that awful stench I smell in my eyeballs when I color my hair is ammonia. I'm so afraid to inhale whenever I dose my tank. I hold my breath and it takes longer than I'd like to pour and I end up throwing whatever random amount in there. Oh well...still better than watching a shrimp rot I bet. X_X
Day 11 (9-5): Ammonia = 2.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
Day 12 (9-6): Ammonia = 1.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
~added more ammonia. I just dipped a stick in the ammonia and threw some drops in the tank, probably about 6-10.
Tested: Ammonia = 2.0 NitrIte = 5.0
Day 13 (9-7): Ammonia = 1.0+ NitrIte = 5.0
~added about the same amount of ammonia again. I tried to do a little more.
Tested: Ammonia = 2.0 NitrIte = 5.0
I'll test again tonight and probably add some more ammonia. The first time I did a capful and that was about 20+ ppm. I might try pouring a tiny bit into a paper cup and then slowly put in a few drops from it.
I'm going to run out of my ammonia test at this rate.
Edit: I tested ammonia again before adding more and it was at 1.0. So I did the paper cup thing, but instead of dropping I still threw it in (IT REEKS!!). I tested an hour later and it's at /almost/ 4.0 (just a little lighter).
I finally figured out what ammonia smells like....hair color. duh. Or I should rather say: that awful stench I smell in my eyeballs when I color my hair is ammonia. I'm so afraid to inhale whenever I dose my tank. I hold my breath and it takes longer than I'd like to pour and I end up throwing whatever random amount in there. Oh well...still better than watching a shrimp rot I bet. X_X
Last edited:
tabbycat0282
Aquarium Advice Regular
I hope this starts to work for you soon!
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Thank you! I think I might be able to add fish maybe this weekend. I was planning on the cycle taking 2-5 weeks.
Day 14 (9-8 ): this morning, Ammonia = 2.0
Day 14 (9-8 ): this morning, Ammonia = 2.0
marchmaxima
Aquarium Advice Addict
I would advise against adding any fish at all until your ammonia/nitrite have been at 0ppm for a couple of days and your nitrate is high.
OP
OP
Alaris
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Oh yes I know. I'm just hoping it will drop that fast. HOPING!! lol
Yes I know I'm cycled when 4ppm of ammonia drops to 0 in 24 hours (and nitrItes are 0). I'm going to test this twice before I even declare the cycle over.
Just hoping it will be fast! (I've been waiting for fish for 3 months now.)
Day 14 (9-8 ): Ammonia = 2.0, NitrIte = 5.0 (or more)
Yes I know I'm cycled when 4ppm of ammonia drops to 0 in 24 hours (and nitrItes are 0). I'm going to test this twice before I even declare the cycle over.
Just hoping it will be fast! (I've been waiting for fish for 3 months now.)
Day 14 (9-8 ): Ammonia = 2.0, NitrIte = 5.0 (or more)
marchmaxima
Aquarium Advice Addict
Don't lose your cool if you discover it stays the way it is for a couple of weeks. Not trying to be a killjoy or anything, but my fishless cycle took almost 5 weeks total.
I know its hard, and you have been really good in being patient. Just a little longer now....
I know its hard, and you have been really good in being patient. Just a little longer now....
tabbycat0282
Aquarium Advice Regular
I can't remember.....were you only able to get gravel from your friend's tank? Maybe you could give them some fiber to put in their filter and then pick it up a few days later and get some O so good for your tank happy bacteria?? Just an idea. Hope it speeds up soon. Have you completely decided what you are going to put in your tank yet (in all this hurry up and wait time)?
Similar threads
