Recent content by plantnoob

Not at all! I was saying you could switch to fishless cycling in the event that the fish you currently have all end up dying. Otherwise, just keep up with the regular water changes and let the cycle run through its course.

Ah I see. The normal time for a tank to cycle without "seeding" from an established tank is 3-4 weeks. What you're currently doing is called "fish-in" cycling. In most cases, it takes a few days for ammonia to start building up, especially with small fishes like guppies. You're just now starting...

MD, there should be some mechanical filtration before water comes in contact with your bio media. In your case it looks like the bio media is the charcoal (granules?) in the plastic container. You'll need to replace or clean your mechanical filtration media (filter pads etc) regularly. The bio...

What are your water parameters? Can you shed some light on what prestart stuff you did before starting the tank. Did you first cycle your tank before getting the fish in and how?

How are you introducing the fish to the tank - I.e acclimating them as they come in from the store? As for the plants, provide more info - light, substrate, co2 or not etc. how long do you run the light for? Emersed plants always melt and grow back later when first submerged. Some of it is...

Well, depends on the kind of filtration system you have. If the "old" media is the only biological filtration you have, then you can't get rid of it as you'll start a new cycle. Like the other posts suggest, just swish it in tank water when you do partial changes. If you have other bio media...

Agree with the posts here. I live in Houston where the tap water has a pH of 7.8. I was told that my fish would not survive unless I mixed RO water. False. I told the guy to keep his knowledge to himself. 6 months later, I have not lost a single fish. Make sure you take care of the parameters...

Wow, looks cool! Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Yup, possible. I'd do another water change to get nitrites down and not add any ammonia until the nitrite levels go down to zero. Otherwise your cycle will stall. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Works about the same for snails. Don't tolerate nitrites well in my experience. I had several die years ago when I didn't pay attention to cycling. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Said creature is a snail. Assassin snails are the best option, but they are slow and these can multiply fast. A clown loach really does the job, but your tank is too small for one. I'd get a couple of assassin snails and go with it before these multiply. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Yeah, what you need is a good group of schooling fishes that add some color and activity to the tank. Neons, cherry barbs, various tetras would all work. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

I doubt if all your bacteria are dead. If they die within 3 days, the "bacteria in a bottle" companies are going to have some explaining to do. An easy test is to add a bit of ammonia, say 1 ppm and see how that changes. Filter media from my friend sat in a closed bottle over the weekend in my...

Fire your fish store lady and read up on cycling the tank. There is a sticky thread in this forum about how to cycle. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

And 99% of fishes will be able to adjust pretty well to tapwater. Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice