cycling help

[Tcal01]

So jeta, are u saying that i should do a water change?

 

[jetajockey]

If it were me, I would just for the sake of being able to keep an accurate measurement. I don't fishless cycle though so take it for what its worth.

 

[Tcal01]

OK I appreciate your input.

 

[Tcal01]

I think my nitrite spike is starting to come down yay!!!!

 

[jlk]

Good job!!!

 

[Tcal01]

There is a snail I'm my tank. Should I leave it in or take it out?

 

[Tcal01]

Just tested my water. Am I done....? If I am I might just have to throw a party. I totally wasn't expecting these readings today lol

 

[Mumma.of.two]

If you continue to get readings like that in the next few days I would say yes!

 

[Tcal01]

Yeeeeeeees!!!!!! I can't believe it went by so fast.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

You have an angelsplus filter?

 

[jlk]

Congrats!!!!! Just continue to dose amm for a few more days to make sure your amm/nitrite continue to zero out. The day your ready for fish, skip the amm & do a big water change to lower your nitrates as low as possible. It may take more than one big wc. Dont forget the water conditioner & make sure the new water is temp matched to your tank water so you dont shock your bacteria. Adjust the temp (if was high) for your fish & read up on 'drip acclimation' (check utube videos) if your not familiar with it. Congrats again!!

 

[Tcal01]

No just a penguin bio-wheel 100. It cclame with the tank

 

[Tcal01]

And thanks jlk . I never considered shocking my bacteria with water changes. Does the same go for fish? How would I heat up/cool down the water before I put it in the tank?

 

[jlk]

And thanks jlk . I never considered shocking my bacteria with water changes. Does the same go for fish? How would I heat up/cool down the water before I put it in the tank?

Its a delicate balance we keep in our little ecosystems- any abrupt changes are enough to throw it off (such as a difference in temps). The same goes for your fish. A temp shock (really cold or hot water) stresses them as well. How are you changing your water right now? The easiest method is to use water from your tap (kitchen/bathroom) that you can adjust the temp on (either buckets or python/something similar) to match your tank water. If this is not possible, you can place buckets of water in room where your tank is & allow it to sit overnight so it comes to match the temp of your tank. Using a faucet that has both cold & hot water is the easiest method. A thermometer is the most accurate method for macthing water temp but not necessary. You can use your hand to match & this is accurate within a few degrees. Hope this helps!

 

[Tcal01]

Yah that definitely helps. I think I might just buy an extra heater and a thermometer for quarantine and water changes

 

[Tcal01]

What should the simplest quarantine tank consist of equipment wise (filters, heaters, etc.)?

 

[jlk]

A simple qt would be a 10gal with heater & filter. I dont use heaters (keep coldwater fish) so i do not have a good suggestion for one but an decent filter would be an aqueon 10 or something similar. Run the filter on your cycled main tank until you need to use it & it will be seeded for an instantly cycled qt (this takes a few wks). You should ask in gen discussion for a heater suggestion help.

 

[Tcal01]

I'm wondering cuz I found a 20 gallon on the street that came with a light and a tetra whisperer 20i. And I wanted to use it as a Q tank. So I cleaned it all up, except the filter. I put water in it and I have four otos, that I bought today, occupying it currently that I want to put into my tank by monday, the latest. Is a filter and cycle necessary for this short amount of time? If so, how would I go about cleaning the Whisperer 20i?

 

[jlk]

A 20g qt tank is even better!!! Yes, a cycle & filter for this tank are necessary. You will need to check the water daily & do pwcs as needed to keep any levels of amm/nitrite under .25ppm. You can clean the filter housing with warm water & vinegar & rinse well. You will have to get some type of media to place in the filter. I would look into a foam filter insert for this filter. Hope this helps!

 

[Tcal01]

I'm finally done!!!!!! Here r some pics of the end product. It is stool in progress tho.