Need some advice with cycling.

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iftimiecatalin

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Mar 24, 2017
Messages
13
Hello guys

[This is the tank](https://www.therange.co.uk/aquatics/fish-tanks-and-bowls/fish-r-fun-goldfish-starter-kit#481837)

I want to make a coldwater tank, with 1-2 small fish like Swordtail fish.

Without knowing too much I bought some liquids:

- [Ammonia & Nitrite Remover for All Aquariums Bacterlife 500ml Activates Filters](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B011RDI7CQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [Tetra Crystal Water Clarifier](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005P7ESII/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [King British Test Strips 6 in 1 for Aquariums and Ponds](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003DHEWQA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [Tetra Safe Start Water Conditioner](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000S5L59W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [Semlos 0.01 Resolution Digital PH Meter](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01C5OOF6I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [Tetra AquaSafe 500ml Water Conditioner](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LXUWN6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- [Interpet Bioactive Tapsafe, Aquarium Water Dechlorinator](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Interpet-B...?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1490289637&sr=1-6)

What I did is fill the tank with water, added some ornaments and added the appropriate parts per liter of several of these liquids( Safe Start, Aquasafe, and Interpet)

I have no fish in the tank, at the moment, and I don't think I will at the time because I found out I need to cycle the tank so that it creates that bacteria in the filter.

I did not put any food or ammonia to boost or start the cycle. The filter is running and I also have a bubble machine.

Now to the questions.

Did I put too many liquids in there that I might need to change the water?

Do I need to add food and/or ammonia to start it( it has been 24h since I filled the tank and treatment)?

Are the strips sufficient for my measuring needs?

How often do I need to measure the changes in the tank?

I have read that you need to add ammonia(to a level of 3ppm m) every time the bacteria brings it to 0, until it does that at a 24h cycle, is it correct?

[Here](Tests - Album on Imgur) this is what readings I am getting. What bothers me is the imbalance in PH and water hardness. But from what I have read PH is not to off scale. And hardness it's not overblown and some fish will be alright.

I will follow up with questions if I have later.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!
 
I hate to break it to you, but that tank is way too tiny for swordtails, or for most fish tbh
:( you may want to look at getting something bigger first

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app
 
I don't mean to keep like a lot, maybe one or two. Or at least get the cycle started and have some bacteria established that will break down ammonia on a 24h cycle. I have a larger tank, that I plan to aquascape and plant. But I need to test my cycle on somethink. And this small one is perfect. And I think that a small fish will be easy to manage with a good cycle and frequent water changes.
 
I'm not trying to be mean, but that tank is not really suitable for any fish. Most people won't keep a lone betta in anything smaller than a five gallon, which is bigger than that tank. Swordtails can get over 4 inches long, way too big, even one. And I'm not sure why you wouldn't just do a cycle on the bigger tank and then stock that, although not sure how big that tank is or if you could have swords in it either?

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app
 
The design looks like it wasnt made for a heater either. Says for cw fish and looking at the top it would have to be modded.
 
Aside from being a way too small tank, you need to minimize the chemicals you are adding to the tank. What is your water supply? If it is decent you might not need to add anything. Maybe a dechlorinator but what else do you really need?
 
Aside from being a way too small tank, you need to minimize the chemicals you are adding to the tank. What is your water supply? If it is decent you might not need to add anything. Maybe a dechlorinator but what else do you really need?

I am getting my Api test kit today. And I will do a whater test from tap. I posted some test strips results up in the post. I also posted some liquids that I have. Which one are you telling me to use, only.
 
I don't mean to keep like a lot, maybe one or two. Or at least get the cycle started and have some bacteria established that will break down ammonia on a 24h cycle. I have a larger tank, that I plan to aquascape and plant. But I need to test my cycle on somethink. And this small one is perfect. And I think that a small fish will be easy to manage with a good cycle and frequent water changes.



This is what I get

IMG_1540.JPGView attachment 1
 
Aside from being a way too small tank, you need to minimize the chemicals you are adding to the tank. What is your water supply? If it is decent you might not need to add anything. Maybe a dechlorinator but what else do you really need?



These are my readings.
Tap water
IMG_1539.JPG


Tank water
IMG_1540.JPG
 
If I interpret things correctly, your tap water seems ok but I don't understand the results from your tank - seem very different. My point is, try to solve the problems in the tank without all kinds of chemicals; the tank will never get balanced. Keep doing water changes until things settle down.
 
If I interpret things correctly, your tap water seems ok but I don't understand the results from your tank - seem very different. My point is, try to solve the problems in the tank without all kinds of chemicals; the tank will never get balanced. Keep doing water changes until things settle down.



The way I see the results from the tank is, that ammonia is close to, Nitrite is 0 and Nitrate is high. I just did a 25% change and brought down the Nitrate to 20ppm. Which to what I read is the last part of the cycle, meaning the bacteria that transforms nitrite in Nitrate is present. I did not feed my tank ammonia, I just put some food to decompose. As you can see ammonia is 0. Should I try to buy ammonia and bring the tank to 3ppm?
 
If ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate is 25, then it looks like your tank is cycling. Nitrate should be lower but it's not bad. Don't add anything but fish food and things should settle down.
 
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