Enki
Aquarium Advice Freak
I have my new 50 gallon all set up, plumbing and rockwork in place, filter up and running, even a handful of rocks from the good lfs for a starter seed.
I start adding ammonia for my fishless cycle, and doh! I spill in 10 times more than I wanted, easily.
One really big water change later, my ammonia level is not quite 4, so I figure I am ok, probably.
3 days in and the ammonia is dropping slightly and nitrites reading .3ish. Ammonia is still above 2, so I am not adding any more yet. I have also reworked procedures to avoid any repeat incident.
I have noticed a benefit that fishless cycling brings that I have seen no mention of elsewhere; It is like a 'dry run' of the tank. I can work out my water change routine and practice a bunch of tasks I'll be doing when I have fish, but I don't have to worry about hurting them yet
Oh yeah, I am setting up for about a dozen Aulonocara baenschi and 3-5 Synodontis petricola.
My tap water starts off pretty good for African rift lake species: Ph of 7.5. no nitrates or nitrites. Fairly hard but no number on that yet, that test kit comes next payday :?
Anyway, I am excited about my new microscopic friends and had to share with folks who would appreciate my enthusiasm for bacteria. LOL
There is also a pic of my tank pending approval, check it when it is up! Update: pic approved
Update: You can check pix on my own webpage
http://homepage.mac.com/cappmonkey/PhotoAlbum52.html
I start adding ammonia for my fishless cycle, and doh! I spill in 10 times more than I wanted, easily.
One really big water change later, my ammonia level is not quite 4, so I figure I am ok, probably.
3 days in and the ammonia is dropping slightly and nitrites reading .3ish. Ammonia is still above 2, so I am not adding any more yet. I have also reworked procedures to avoid any repeat incident.
I have noticed a benefit that fishless cycling brings that I have seen no mention of elsewhere; It is like a 'dry run' of the tank. I can work out my water change routine and practice a bunch of tasks I'll be doing when I have fish, but I don't have to worry about hurting them yet
Oh yeah, I am setting up for about a dozen Aulonocara baenschi and 3-5 Synodontis petricola.
My tap water starts off pretty good for African rift lake species: Ph of 7.5. no nitrates or nitrites. Fairly hard but no number on that yet, that test kit comes next payday :?
Anyway, I am excited about my new microscopic friends and had to share with folks who would appreciate my enthusiasm for bacteria. LOL
There is also a pic of my tank pending approval, check it when it is up! Update: pic approved
Update: You can check pix on my own webpage
http://homepage.mac.com/cappmonkey/PhotoAlbum52.html
