Hello all. I am a newbie to having an aquarium and am very much looking forward to getting my tank set up.
I became interested in setting up a tank when I was given a betta fish in a medium sized bowl and started reading about how you should properly care for them. After reading a number care guides, I decided to purchase and set up a 5 gallon aquarium and I can't wait to eventually get my betta in the tank.
Of course, as I read about caring for fish, I also learned about fishless cycling for new tanks and I started the process. Here is where I feel I have run into some trouble.
I followed the fishless cycle instructions and after setting up my tank, I added ammonia to bring the level to 3-4ppm. I have checked the water every day to see if I need to add additional ammonia to keep the reading at this level. Occasionally, I have had to add additional ammonia (level sometimes seemed to go as low as 2ppm) and the levels have never been above 5ppm. After about a week or so, I also started testing for nitrites every other day and so far I really have not seen any (perhaps I had a reading of 0.25ppm).
I wouldn't worry about this except it is now day 25, so I feel I must be doing something wrong and would appreciate any help/advice.
Other information that might be useful to know:
- I did add de-cholinator to the water in the tank after I set it up and a day before I added ammonia
- The temperature in my tank is currently high to try and encourage the cycle (~87)
- I have covered the tank to keep the environment dark
- I did not have any filter material from another tank but I did add some substrate from the bowl my fish was originally in to the tank
- I have occasionally added some ground fish flakes to the tank
- The pH reading in the tank is ~7.8 which I know is a bit high but I understand should be good for promoting nitrites
As noted, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I became interested in setting up a tank when I was given a betta fish in a medium sized bowl and started reading about how you should properly care for them. After reading a number care guides, I decided to purchase and set up a 5 gallon aquarium and I can't wait to eventually get my betta in the tank.
Of course, as I read about caring for fish, I also learned about fishless cycling for new tanks and I started the process. Here is where I feel I have run into some trouble.
I followed the fishless cycle instructions and after setting up my tank, I added ammonia to bring the level to 3-4ppm. I have checked the water every day to see if I need to add additional ammonia to keep the reading at this level. Occasionally, I have had to add additional ammonia (level sometimes seemed to go as low as 2ppm) and the levels have never been above 5ppm. After about a week or so, I also started testing for nitrites every other day and so far I really have not seen any (perhaps I had a reading of 0.25ppm).
I wouldn't worry about this except it is now day 25, so I feel I must be doing something wrong and would appreciate any help/advice.
Other information that might be useful to know:
- I did add de-cholinator to the water in the tank after I set it up and a day before I added ammonia
- The temperature in my tank is currently high to try and encourage the cycle (~87)
- I have covered the tank to keep the environment dark
- I did not have any filter material from another tank but I did add some substrate from the bowl my fish was originally in to the tank
- I have occasionally added some ground fish flakes to the tank
- The pH reading in the tank is ~7.8 which I know is a bit high but I understand should be good for promoting nitrites
As noted, any advice would be greatly appreciated.