figliaperduta
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I've just started my 30-gallon XH tank (got the XH because I intend to have a pair of angelfish), and it's in the process of cycling now. But somehow, I don't think things are going so well...
The tank is filtered by an Emperor 400, which does an EXCELLENT job of providing circulation down to the bottom of the tank. Because of an inability to find pure ammonia, I've had to go with fish cycling, using three swordtails (1M, 2F). They were put in the tank on Thursday afternoon, and the ammonia had spiked by that night. Did a water change, about 20% (6 gallons). pH was 7.0, no nitrites, no nitrates. Did not feed the fish, per expert recommendation.
Friday, the ammonia had spiked again. Another water change, about 30% (10 gallons). pH was again 7.0, no nitrites, no nitrates. Again, did not feed fish.
Saturday: Repeat of Friday, water change of 8 gallons, about 25%. Fish have not eaten.
Now it is Sunday, and my water conditions remain the same as they were Thursday night. I put some old filter media (from the cycled betta tank, a month-old Tetra 3i cartridge) into the filter, behind the media. I have also discovered a free sample of Stress Zyme that came with my aquarium kit. Has anyone here used this product? Is it helpful? Is it safe to use, with fish already in the tank? How much water should I be changing at once during cycling?
Also, the fish still haven't been fed. They're picking at the fake plants, the aquarium walls, and the sealant, and (in my opinion) they're starting to look a little thin. When is it safe to feed them?
One of my swordtails (I believe the male) squeaks--he sounds almost exactly like a mouse. I know it's the fish--I've unplugged the equipment, and the sound continues. Is this normal behaviour, or should I start investigating the parentage of my fish?
The tank is filtered by an Emperor 400, which does an EXCELLENT job of providing circulation down to the bottom of the tank. Because of an inability to find pure ammonia, I've had to go with fish cycling, using three swordtails (1M, 2F). They were put in the tank on Thursday afternoon, and the ammonia had spiked by that night. Did a water change, about 20% (6 gallons). pH was 7.0, no nitrites, no nitrates. Did not feed the fish, per expert recommendation.
Friday, the ammonia had spiked again. Another water change, about 30% (10 gallons). pH was again 7.0, no nitrites, no nitrates. Again, did not feed fish.
Saturday: Repeat of Friday, water change of 8 gallons, about 25%. Fish have not eaten.
Now it is Sunday, and my water conditions remain the same as they were Thursday night. I put some old filter media (from the cycled betta tank, a month-old Tetra 3i cartridge) into the filter, behind the media. I have also discovered a free sample of Stress Zyme that came with my aquarium kit. Has anyone here used this product? Is it helpful? Is it safe to use, with fish already in the tank? How much water should I be changing at once during cycling?
Also, the fish still haven't been fed. They're picking at the fake plants, the aquarium walls, and the sealant, and (in my opinion) they're starting to look a little thin. When is it safe to feed them?
One of my swordtails (I believe the male) squeaks--he sounds almost exactly like a mouse. I know it's the fish--I've unplugged the equipment, and the sound continues. Is this normal behaviour, or should I start investigating the parentage of my fish?