I've always had an aquarium in my houses since I was a child and it wasn't until about a month ago that found out about the cycling.
I've always kept the fish in the bag for 10 min, then dropped them in and never thought twice about it all while mixing random fish together in the tank. I've never dealt with sickness in the tanks or mass casualties...Been very lucky.
I just recently purchased a new 29g tank starter kit (after not having one for the last 6-years)
and feel that I've become paranoid now that I know about cycling and am hoping I'm doing it correctly.
I filled that tank on Feb 26 (Today makes day 4 of being set up)
I opted to do the fish in cycle option. As of now, I have 3 Zebra Danios who seem to be thriving and happy. Along with the Danios I have 3 live plants.
I've been doing approximately 25% water change every day. I fill my bucket with tap water and add in Aqueon water conditioner per the instructions. I allow it to sit for some time, then fill the tank back up. (I've just read about Prime and it sounds like that may be the best option)
My most recent readings are as follows:
-pH approx 7.2
-Ammonia between .50 and .25
-Nitrite sometimes is 5.0 and other times is 2.0 (though 2 days ago it was .50)
-Nitrate is approx 20ppm
Does this seem like everything is cycling accordingly considering this is the 4th day of the tank being set up?
I realize this question is asked 50 times a day here, but each tank is so different, and the local pet store employees around here don't know the difference between a Corvette and a goldfish.
I have an established Betta tank that I took some gravel out of to put in my new tank, along with one decoration in hopes of speeding up and helping the process.
I've always kept the fish in the bag for 10 min, then dropped them in and never thought twice about it all while mixing random fish together in the tank. I've never dealt with sickness in the tanks or mass casualties...Been very lucky.
I just recently purchased a new 29g tank starter kit (after not having one for the last 6-years)
and feel that I've become paranoid now that I know about cycling and am hoping I'm doing it correctly.
I filled that tank on Feb 26 (Today makes day 4 of being set up)
I opted to do the fish in cycle option. As of now, I have 3 Zebra Danios who seem to be thriving and happy. Along with the Danios I have 3 live plants.
I've been doing approximately 25% water change every day. I fill my bucket with tap water and add in Aqueon water conditioner per the instructions. I allow it to sit for some time, then fill the tank back up. (I've just read about Prime and it sounds like that may be the best option)
My most recent readings are as follows:
-pH approx 7.2
-Ammonia between .50 and .25
-Nitrite sometimes is 5.0 and other times is 2.0 (though 2 days ago it was .50)
-Nitrate is approx 20ppm
Does this seem like everything is cycling accordingly considering this is the 4th day of the tank being set up?
I realize this question is asked 50 times a day here, but each tank is so different, and the local pet store employees around here don't know the difference between a Corvette and a goldfish.
I have an established Betta tank that I took some gravel out of to put in my new tank, along with one decoration in hopes of speeding up and helping the process.