Recent content by 48colcat

starting a new 55 gallon and would like to have my 2 small juvenile firemouths in the tank to start wondering what I can place with them? would tiger barbs be okay if I had like 7 or so? maybe another type of cichlid? I am open to try different kinds..anyone have any ideas?

I have a newer 4 month tank..has been cycled. has a sponge and HOB filter. have been changing the water weekly...have quite a few fish in a 29 gallon tank. 2 plecos/3 tetras/5 small neon tetras/3 gouramies/3 platys/3 cat corys and 3 danios/3 zebra tetras moved them up to the cycled tank already...

there is no bacteria..brand new tank with nothing but tap water which I will treat with the dechlorinate. so I am assuming no healthy bacteria is in there..just wondering then do I start the cycle with bacteria or ammonia? or both at the same time. it's a very small 7 gallon tank.

if I want to start with an ammonia substance I bought for tank cycling...do I add that first or do I start with adding the healthy bacteria?

I have the prime and the stability seachum brands. I will check for the ammonia and when that spikes do the 25% change then monitor for all the nitrates to go down. I think I get it now..I did place bacteria in it yesterday and will today. how much of the bacteria should I add? for how many...

I would assume that once that ammonia spikes I should start seeing the nitrites rising? then the nitrates? is this correct? then I know I am cycling ?

okay. got it...should I test daily for ammonia? I bought one of those in tank ammonia alert things. that should be coming..what brand of bacteria do you recommend?

I can buy more of the beneficial bacteria today...and add some tonight. if I get an ammonia spike what then do I do? add something or do a water change?

I tested the nitrite and ammonia yesterday and both were negative.

yes I have the bigger test kit and have done the test 2 times. I know the basics...okay that helps..I was wondering about that what brand of beneficial bacteria? so I would expect a spike in the ammonia first and then the nitrites? and if so..will that come down on it's own? by placing the...

yes...absolutely. I want to learn...I have had oscars in the past and never did crap with the water and they lived for a few years. I didn't just jump into this..I just never realized it was a bit complicated because of the nitrogen cycle..hell when you go into the fish store they mention...

how about not be so rude... anyway...it's not like fish stores don't tell you much..for crying out loud at least I am on here now... I have 2 heaters. and did put if you did not read my whole post beneficial bacteria..so read my post. I have a siphon on the way.

I just bought a 29 gallon tank. Waited a few days for it to get to temp and then added 3 tetras. I had added the beginning water conditioner/PH down and checked the water using a test kit. I am using flake food and it seems they don't eat everything(I am giving them small amounts but will lessen...