Ok so my wife and I recently got a new 29 gallon tank. Waited 24 hours and got a few fish per the local fish store. I understand now that we should have done a fish less cycle, but we are keeping on top of it. Much more knowledgable about the cycles now, but I have a few questions.
It looks like I am just getting to the nitrates part if the cycle, it's been 4 days so that seem like its right on schedule. Just did about a 33% PWC last night and gravel vacuuming. The fish are all very active and eating.
Fish for now include the following
1 black mollie
3 neon tetras
1 pictus catfish
So first, is there anything I need to be doing in the mean time while the tank cycles? Or just continue monitoring and doing water changes as needed? Also, all of my instuctions say to change the filter monthly, but everything I read on the forums suggests simply rinsing it in tank water when I do a PWC. And basically using it until it falls apart. Is that referring to the white(I'm assuming charcoal) filter packet or to the other filter that more resembles my house ac unit filter? I don't know what part is referred to as the "filter media"
Second, what fish do you think we should add in? I was thinking a few ghost shrimp, and the wife wants a Plecoptera of some kind. I know mollies are supposed to have friends, but I wanted to wait until the cycle was done before adding anything else.
Thanks for any suggestions!!
It looks like I am just getting to the nitrates part if the cycle, it's been 4 days so that seem like its right on schedule. Just did about a 33% PWC last night and gravel vacuuming. The fish are all very active and eating.
Fish for now include the following
1 black mollie
3 neon tetras
1 pictus catfish
So first, is there anything I need to be doing in the mean time while the tank cycles? Or just continue monitoring and doing water changes as needed? Also, all of my instuctions say to change the filter monthly, but everything I read on the forums suggests simply rinsing it in tank water when I do a PWC. And basically using it until it falls apart. Is that referring to the white(I'm assuming charcoal) filter packet or to the other filter that more resembles my house ac unit filter? I don't know what part is referred to as the "filter media"
Second, what fish do you think we should add in? I was thinking a few ghost shrimp, and the wife wants a Plecoptera of some kind. I know mollies are supposed to have friends, but I wanted to wait until the cycle was done before adding anything else.
Thanks for any suggestions!!