HooKooDooKu
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I'm in the process to cycling a new tank (carnival goldfish), Started almost a week ago. I'm daily testing ammonia levels and doing 20%-35% water changes.
While I know ammonia needs to be zero, that obviously isn't possible when I've been forced to suddenly start a new tank already stocked. But when I try to research the subject of cycling a tank, everything just says "too much ammonia" is going to be harmful without anyone saying HOW MUCH is TOO MUCH. Give me a number!
What I'm looking for are numbers that I can use to let me know I can put off a water change vs when I need to do a water change NOW!!!
For example, would a good plan be...Put off a water change if ammonia levels are 0.25ppm to 0.5ppm, do a water change at 0.75ppm to 1.0ppm, and PANIC if it gets near 2.0ppm?
My current setup:
Stock: 2" common and 2" rosie minnow goldfish
10 gallon tank
HARD tap water (lots of calcium around here, using Prime)
15W florecent light
Sand base with a few decorative river rock
Some plants
Fluval 1 Filter and basic air stone
While I know ammonia needs to be zero, that obviously isn't possible when I've been forced to suddenly start a new tank already stocked. But when I try to research the subject of cycling a tank, everything just says "too much ammonia" is going to be harmful without anyone saying HOW MUCH is TOO MUCH. Give me a number!
What I'm looking for are numbers that I can use to let me know I can put off a water change vs when I need to do a water change NOW!!!
For example, would a good plan be...Put off a water change if ammonia levels are 0.25ppm to 0.5ppm, do a water change at 0.75ppm to 1.0ppm, and PANIC if it gets near 2.0ppm?
My current setup:
Stock: 2" common and 2" rosie minnow goldfish
10 gallon tank
HARD tap water (lots of calcium around here, using Prime)
15W florecent light
Sand base with a few decorative river rock
Some plants
Fluval 1 Filter and basic air stone