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Make sure you use tank water to rinse it, not tap water...tap water will kill the bacteria. Also might want to take a brush to the bearing and axle. Sometimes they gunk up and don't allow free rotation. The starting and stopping won't hurt as long as it doesn't come to a complete stop.

This is a link to another forum, but it is the most comprehensive article I've seen about cycling. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64301 I did a "fishless" cycle with no live plants, but since you have plants you might want to check out the "Plant Cycling" section.

The tank will cycle itself. Nature WILL run it's course whether you know it's happening or not. It's just a matter of whether the poison levels get high enough to kill your fish. Not even water conditioner? Maybe your tap water is low in chlorine. Chlorine will kill your fish in high...

There are a lot of really colorful Rainbowfish. I like Boesemani. I bought mine here, they have a good selection: http://www.thatfishshop.com/

I want to make a spraybar powered by a powerhead to create a current along the length of my 55g for my Rainbowfish to swim in. I have a Rio 600 powerhead and I have a clear uplift tube from a UGF...neither of which are currently being used. The part I'm having trouble with is how to attach...

Anyone have advice regarding powerhead brands? Which is best in your experience?

It's pretty close to the 1" per gallon rule that there's so much controversy about. I'm thinking it'll be ok as long as I keep up with the PWC's.

Updated Potential Stock List 7 Rainbowfish (either all Boeseman's or a mixture) 5? Sterba's Cory - Corydoras sterbai 2-3 Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus siamensis I read that Sterbai are more comfortable schooling, so I feel like I should keep 5 instead of just 2 or 3. Looking at adult...

Well then I simply can't go wrong either way! :) That's one of the cool things about this hobby....there's usually more then 1 right way to do things (along with multiple WRONG ways). If anyone has more stocking advice, feel free to stop by my other thread here...

BOSK1 RULES!!! LOL! :lol: Seriously though, you've been very very helpful to me in my threads as well as other threads I've read. People helping each other is what's so great about the internet! Many thanks!!!

Good to know...I'll stick with heat-only treatment if I end up with ICH problems in the future. Also, I edited my post above with a question about schooling. Thanks for your help!! Tim

Yeah, I'm also worried about the stocking levels. I'm thinking of starting with a school of 7 or so Rainbowfish, then adding bottom feeders slowly 1 or 2 at a time. After that I'll have to make the decision whether a second school of smaller fish is going to be too much to handle. Definitely...

Awesome...that's great to hear! I'm hoping to get lots more posts with corroborating and/or conflicting opinions.... Did I mention this forum is great?!? :D

Yep, patiently waiting for that 0ppm nitrIte reading. I'm looking to stock a Rainbowfish school, which get to be a decent size, but should only be 1-2 inches when purchased. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on parameters. My thinking was this: - Fishless cycle to build up...

Yeah, I believe I am VERY close. I did a big PWC over lunch break (70-80%) and then re-dosed ammonia. Hopefully after 24 hours I'll be at 0/0 ammonia/nitrite. After that, I'll test nitrAtes and make sure they're low enough to add livestock. I'm looking to add a full school of 7, wait a week...

Links to the profile section of this forum: Boeseman’s Rainbow - Melanotaenia boesemani http://www.aquariumadvice.com/profiles/6_30_en.html Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis http://www.aquariumadvice.com/profiles/6_39_en.html

Got a 55g for Christmas. ALMOST finished fishless cycling....should be ready by this weekend. I've been researching livestock while staring at the empty tank for about 4 weeks now. Final stock will be: 1-2 schools 1-2 non-schooling centerpiece fish (maybe) 3 or 4 bottom feeder cleanup...

Well I'm back and everything looks ok thanks to the excellent advice I received. I ended up SLIGHTLY overdosing ammonia (4ppm instead of 3ppm), and adding a pinch of flake food. When I got home last night: Ammonia - 0 PPM Nitrite - 2 PPM I dosed 3ppm ammonia last night, and it was...

The only fish food I have right now is just generic flakes. The idea is to add some flakes so that they decompose all weekend slowly releasing ammonia. I'm not sure how much will be enough though. About a teaspoon? Other suggestions? Also, is there a way I can get it to settle in a tupperware...

I'm SOOO close to finishing my fishless cycle. Ammonia levels drop from 3ppm to 0ppm in under 24 hours. Nitrite is falling as well and should zero out in the next couple of days. The PROBLEM: I'm going out of town for the weekend (leaving Friday morning and not coming home till Sunday...

That makes sense. The fishless cycle article I read just said to sit there and wait for the nitrites to come down to 0...no matter how high they go. It makes sense though that they only need to be able to convert like 2 or 3 ppm per day. You probably just saved me a couple of weeks of empty...

What's the purpose of a big water change during a fishless cycle? Don't you want those Nitrites in there so the second type of bacteria will grow?

Well, I finally got a nitrite reading today, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say that 8.6 pH is safe during fishless cycle. :)

I set up the tank and added ammonia 10 days ago. I haven't measured KH. I'm hoping it's just the ammonia that's messing with the pH. I certainly won't be adding any fish until it's nice and stable. I'm just trying to decide if it's a good idea to do a PWC to bring the pH back down a...

Yeah, that's why I went fishless cycle....I don't know this kind of stuff. The bacteria is the only thing I need to worry about keeping alive right now. I'm hoping the pH will stabilize after cycling is finished.