Yet another cycling question (with pics)

[librarygirl]

That is a good idea. I did an 80% pwc last night and it brought my ph up to 7, and it's back down to 6.6 tonight. I tested and this is the 2nd night that ammo and trites have been consistantly at 0. My trates are up to 80. So, I'm thinking I've finally finished. I just need to dose enough to maintain my BB now. I won't get fish til the weekend.
What should I shoot for as a maintanence dose?

Dose the same as you have been; you don't want the bacteria getting lazy It'll adjust to the amount of ammonia in the tank so if it's processing 4 ppms of ammonia keep it that way until you get fish. It'll then just down to however much ammo your fish produces.

 

[Reygan2]

This has probably been addressed before, but my question is...if my nitrates are so high just one day after an 80% pwc, does that mean I'll have to continue doing large pwc's frequently or will the nitrates decrease as the bioload decreases? I'm only going to add a Walmart rescued "betta in a cup" and maybe some shrimp, so my bioload is going to be really small, due to it only being a 10g.

 

[jlk]

Lets start with this- how do your numbers look today? As you only plan on keeping a single betta, theres no need to get this tank cycled to 4ppm (2ppm is more than sufficient). The 4ppm amm is the reason you are seeing such high nitrates- with a single betta, you will probably only see nitrates increase a tiny bit & this will be addressed with weekly water changes. No worries! I would recommend cutting back the amm dose to 2ppm & lets finish cycling this tank!

 

[Reygan2]

Lets start with this- how do your numbers look today? As you only plan on keeping a single betta, theres no need to get this tank cycled to 4ppm (2ppm is more than sufficient). The 4ppm amm is the reason you are seeing such high nitrates- with a single betta, you will probably only see nitrates increase a tiny bit & this will be addressed with weekly water changes. No worries! I would recommend cutting back the amm dose to 2ppm & lets finish cycling this tank!

I think I'm there jlk. I've had 2 days of ammo and trites at 0 within 24 hours. I've only been dosing up to 2ppm for the last couple of nights. I would like to add other fish to the tank but I'm not sure what I would put in with a betta. I could do some ember tetras, but I'd have to order them. I have 5 neons in my 29g, but 10g may be too small for them. There are few options with this size tank.

 

[jlk]

I think I'm there jlk. I've had 2 days of ammo and trites at 0 within 24 hours. I've only been dosing up to 2ppm for the last couple of nights. I would like to add other fish to the tank but I'm not sure what I would put in with a betta. I could do some ember tetras, but I'd have to order them. I have 5 neons in my 29g, but 10g may be too small for them. There are few options with this size tank.

Thats great news!!! I am not going to be of much help in respect to suggesting other fish compatible with bettas- im a coldwater girl! Hopefully, someone else can advise! Good luck!!!

 

[Bearchumjs]

I think I'm there jlk. I've had 2 days of ammo and trites at 0 within 24 hours. I've only been dosing up to 2ppm for the last couple of nights. I would like to add other fish to the tank but I'm not sure what I would put in with a betta. I could do some ember tetras, but I'd have to order them. I have 5 neons in my 29g, but 10g may be too small for them. There are few options with this size tank.

That was a really fun thread to read. . You were so upbeat about the whole thing! Anyway, what about glo-light tetras. I think that's what they are called. I saw some at petco and they looked so pretty. I want some but have no room in my little 5gal tank that is currently occupied with a dwarf red flame gourami and 2 little pond guppies.

I really don't know what would be good in a tank with a betta. My mom had a betta in a 20gal with some angel fish years ago. Angels get pretty big though don't they?

I really like the way your tank looks. Make sure you post a pic of your new fishies when you get them settled in!

 

[Reygan2]

That was a really fun thread to read. . You were so upbeat about the whole thing! Anyway, what about glo-light tetras. I think that's what they are called. I saw some at petco and they looked so pretty. I want some but have no room in my little 5gal tank that is currently occupied with a dwarf red flame gourami and 2 little pond guppies.

I really don't know what would be good in a tank with a betta. My mom had a betta in a 20gal with some angel fish years ago. Angels get pretty big though don't they?

I really like the way your tank looks. Make sure you post a pic of your new fishies when you get them settled in!

Thanks! This is an absolutely exhilarating hobby, and believe me I have wanted to pull my hair out several times since I started fishkeeping last July. The members of this site pulled me through and helped me keep my sanity. Now I have multiple tank syndrome and I love every minute of it! I'll be sure to post pics when I stock it.
Oh yeah, angels can get pretty big. They can also be little devils! I love my two, and they never get along.

 

[Bearchumjs]

Thanks! This is an absolutely exhilarating hobby, and believe me I have wanted to pull my hair out several times since I started fishkeeping last July. The members of this site pulled me through and helped me keep my sanity. Now I have multiple tank syndrome and I love every minute of it! I'll be sure to post pics when I stock it.
Oh yeah, angels can get pretty big. They can also be little devils! I love my two, and they never get along.

What about cherry barbs or neon tetras? I remember those from growing up.

 

[Reygan2]

What about cherry barbs or neon tetras? I remember those from growing up.

I already have neons in my 29g. I did consider cherry barbs, but I'm still undecided.

I just tested and it looks like I'm good to go. Day 3 of ammo 0, nitrites 0, nitrates at 80! I can't add anything til this weekend so I'll dose some again tonight.
All in all it took me 20 days using seeded media. I only had to do 3 pwc's. If my ph hadn't been a factor I wouldn't have had to do those. I think it took so long because the AC20 has such a small media basket, therefore the size of the seeded pad I added was small. My guess is that it had to have time to grow quite a substantial amount of additional BB in order to handle up to 4ppm ammo in less than 24 hours.
Regardless..it was my first fishless cycle and it was a blast! Does that make me a complete nerd?

Thanks again Jlk, Librarygirl, mumma, and the others who helped me and so many others.

 

[jlk]

Just think about how easy it will be to cycle your next tank....
Congrats!!!!