My 40g breeder ram build begins!!

[phishfriend]

Ok, so need a bit of advice. This is my first fish-less cycle. I'v done all the homework etc. but today I came home and tested. My ph was tanking around 6.4. From 6.8 last night. I'v read to do a big water change to raise ph if this happens. I did a 90% water change to remove tannins and bring up the ph. Tank is at 79 degrees. Cycle started 11-25. Tank is planted. Here are the lvl's 1hr after water change.




I'm dosing ammonia to 4ppm daily because it
Is processing in 24h but no2 and no3 are steady for about a week now. Even after a 90% water change. Following no3 test to the letter.

Just wondering if this is normal and I'm just being impatient or am I missing something?

Oh, I also seeded with filter medium from one of my other tanks.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[phishfriend]

Update photo

 

[phishfriend]

 

[Nelsontreyjones]

Nice tank so far. This is just me but you should check out Tetra SafeStart. I have used it on 3 tanks and it worked every time. No waiting or troubles of cycling. 14 Dollars on Amazon.

 

[tiger terror]

Ok, so need a bit of advice. This is my first fish-less cycle. I'v done all the homework etc. but today I came home and tested. My ph was tanking around 6.4. From 6.8 last night. I'v read to do a big water change to raise ph if this happens. I did a 90% water change to remove tannins and bring up the ph. Tank is at 79 degrees. Cycle started 11-25. Tank is planted. Here are the lvl's 1hr after water change.

I'm dosing ammonia to 4ppm daily because it
Is processing in 24h but no2 and no3 are steady for about a week now. Even after a 90% water change. Following no3 test to the letter.

Just wondering if this is normal and I'm just being impatient or am I missing something?

Oh, I also seeded with filter medium from one of my other tanks.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

You're doin fine,just keep the ammo at 4 ppm&when your nitrites drop to 0 dose your ammo back up to 4 ppm..repeat that process for a few days untill you routinely.get 0 ammo&0 nitrites..follow up with a huge wc(90%) to reduce nitrates near 0..by repeating the procees several times you're building a large colony of bacteria to handle the 1st initial load put on the bio-filter..i'll keep following checking on your progress...

 

[phishfriend]

You're doin fine,just keep the ammo at 4 ppm&when your nitrites drop to 0 dose your ammo back up to 4 ppm..repeat that process for a few days untill you routinely.get 0 ammo&0 nitrites..follow up with a huge wc(90%) to reduce nitrates near 0..by repeating the procees several times you're building a large colony of bacteria to handle the 1st initial load put on the bio-filter..i'll keep following checking on your progress...

Cool thanks!

 

[tiger terror]

Cool thanks!

Your welcome..I'll post some pics of my bolivian ram setup tomorrow..looking forward to seeing the first additions to your build when the cycle is complete..best of luck..

 

[phishfriend]

Lvl's





Dosing to 4ppm

 

[phishfriend]

Ok I didn't dose to 4ppm. I was thinking about
How high my nitrate where and said wait a sec.....did to big water changes back to back and brought every thing down to less than .25 ammonia, no2. And no3. Three hours later 0-0-5.0ppm. Dosed ammonia to 2ppm. Then last night I was 0-0-5ish. Same today. Boom! I'm calling cycled!! Going to test dose to 2ppm tonight and see what I have after work 2mrw. If all is good. Going to and some stock!!

 

[tiger terror]

Sounds like you've got it whipped...congrats!

 

[phishfriend]

So all was good when I got home and tested!! Moved some guppies over from the "guppy factory" to help mature the tank. Also move over a clown pleco. Will update pics in a week or so after the DIY c02 has been working for a while. Super excited to have this tank cycled!!! That much closer to my rams!!!

 

[tiger terror]

So how's the progress with the new setup? I myself setup a more spacious tank for my bolivians(36g bowfront)...its in the planted section,will post some pics when I'm spittle further along...

 

[phishfriend]

Update with some pics.

So all has be going good with the tank. I'm waiting on my dry fertz to come in and that routine will start. Im excited to see the changes from them.

I tried a DIY co2 which I wasn't happy with at all. I know that people say they will work for tanks up to 40g. If you have 40g I wouldn't waste your time. It's just to inconsistent. It's now on the guppy factory and seems to be working well. I'v gone back to dosing excel and plan to get a pressurized system going after the new year.

The Best thing that has happened is that some how I got one of my lfs to let me buy a group of rams and then exchange ones that haven't pairing or that I don't really like up to 3 times. I couldn't believe they agreed to it! I"v moved the guppies out and put the first batch of rams in. I know its early but i'm watching water quality like a hawk! It's been solid and im doing small 10% water changes a couple times a week. Plus a larger on Sundays. Everyone is super happy and eating like crazy!

I'd also like to thank Rivercats who has been giving me some helpful info and good scaping suggestions. I have moved somethings around in the tank. nothing major really But I think its getting there.

River, I cant get rid of the rock. I tried and the wood popped up. I did move it to the backside so that its less of an eyesore. I am also going to hit the lfs this weekend and see if there is a nice red lotus. I do have one that is really really small you can see it on the right side front just to the left of the stone. I think you had a larger one in mind. lol

 

[tiger terror]

Great looking fish I might add...also love eco-complete,I'm using it in the 36g bow...I also will be going to dry ferts as well&got the gallon of glutaraldehyde in today so tomorrow I will be dilluting it...

 

[Tetra1990]

The tank/fish look great!

 

[Rivercats]

It looks sooo much better without the rocks on the DW!

 

[phishfriend]

Thanks guys!

 

[Samzter]

Omg you're german blues have magnificent colour! You've done an excellent job!

 

[phishfriend]

Omg you're german blues have magnificent colour! You've done an excellent job!

Thank you!

 

[Wy Renegade]

That came together very nicely. How is the DIY canister working for you?