bjcballa22
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2013
- Messages
- 74
Howdy there!
So I have reading around this website and it got me wondering about my tank situation. I would like for you to read about my tank and comment/opinion about my tank.
Here goes the story....
In August, I purchased a used 29 gallon fish tank with accessories and cleaned it up properly to use. I got all of my decor and (sand) substrates and placed them in the tank, filled it up with dechlorinated water (I use Novaqua Plus). I learned about the fishless cycle and decided against fish in cycling. Using fishless cycling, I used Dr Tims One and Only Nitrifying bacteria and Ammonium chloride. I followed the instructions (poorly written) and cycled my tank within 2 weeks. The nitrifying bacteria was to help jumpstart the cycle and the ammonium chloride is used to feed the bacteria that needs to colonize. So during the two week period, I had readings of 1ppm for ammonia and approximately .5 ppm nitrite, then as ammonia and nitrite readings began to drop, my nitrate grew to approximately 5ppm, it got to a light orange-y color but never red. Over the last few days during the two week period, nitrates went down to 0ppm and i tested my ammonia and nitrite by adding the ammonium chloride and after 24 hours, the readings were still at 0ppm. So, in the end, I had 0ppm for all three readings. Keep in mind, I have 5 different live plants and driftwood/bogwood in the tank during the cycle. So, after researching, I assumed the plants and wood absorbed the nitrates. After a few days of a complete tank cycle (to my knowledge) I purchased two bolivian rams, a balloon molly, ghost shrimp and chameleon shrimp. One bolivian died unexpectedly (no signs of stress or bullying) two days after purchase. One day later, my balloon molly died after a whole day of seeing signs of stress (separated dorsal fins, upside floating, etc). FYI-Balloon molly was bullied in the transfer bag from pet store by the bolivian ram that died. One week after their deaths, I got another bolivian ram and some cory cats. The very next day, my new bolivian ram was dead and I believe its from the bullying from my current bolivian ram in the tank that occurred when I put them together. As of today, I have one bolivian ram, (new) sunburst gourami, 4 cory cats (2 are new) , (new) balloon molly, (4) ghost shrimp, 1 chameleon shrimp (1 discovered dead this morning), and (2) (new) cherry shrimp.
Since my tank cycle 2 weeks ago, 3 fish and 1 shrimp have passed. Does this indicate anything as far as completing the tank cycle? All of my readings are currently at 0ppm. Ive only added 3 fish each week, but added more in replace of the dead ones. Can anyone provide their opinion or comment? I really hope I set the tank up properly. Thank you for your time.
So I have reading around this website and it got me wondering about my tank situation. I would like for you to read about my tank and comment/opinion about my tank.
Here goes the story....
In August, I purchased a used 29 gallon fish tank with accessories and cleaned it up properly to use. I got all of my decor and (sand) substrates and placed them in the tank, filled it up with dechlorinated water (I use Novaqua Plus). I learned about the fishless cycle and decided against fish in cycling. Using fishless cycling, I used Dr Tims One and Only Nitrifying bacteria and Ammonium chloride. I followed the instructions (poorly written) and cycled my tank within 2 weeks. The nitrifying bacteria was to help jumpstart the cycle and the ammonium chloride is used to feed the bacteria that needs to colonize. So during the two week period, I had readings of 1ppm for ammonia and approximately .5 ppm nitrite, then as ammonia and nitrite readings began to drop, my nitrate grew to approximately 5ppm, it got to a light orange-y color but never red. Over the last few days during the two week period, nitrates went down to 0ppm and i tested my ammonia and nitrite by adding the ammonium chloride and after 24 hours, the readings were still at 0ppm. So, in the end, I had 0ppm for all three readings. Keep in mind, I have 5 different live plants and driftwood/bogwood in the tank during the cycle. So, after researching, I assumed the plants and wood absorbed the nitrates. After a few days of a complete tank cycle (to my knowledge) I purchased two bolivian rams, a balloon molly, ghost shrimp and chameleon shrimp. One bolivian died unexpectedly (no signs of stress or bullying) two days after purchase. One day later, my balloon molly died after a whole day of seeing signs of stress (separated dorsal fins, upside floating, etc). FYI-Balloon molly was bullied in the transfer bag from pet store by the bolivian ram that died. One week after their deaths, I got another bolivian ram and some cory cats. The very next day, my new bolivian ram was dead and I believe its from the bullying from my current bolivian ram in the tank that occurred when I put them together. As of today, I have one bolivian ram, (new) sunburst gourami, 4 cory cats (2 are new) , (new) balloon molly, (4) ghost shrimp, 1 chameleon shrimp (1 discovered dead this morning), and (2) (new) cherry shrimp.
Since my tank cycle 2 weeks ago, 3 fish and 1 shrimp have passed. Does this indicate anything as far as completing the tank cycle? All of my readings are currently at 0ppm. Ive only added 3 fish each week, but added more in replace of the dead ones. Can anyone provide their opinion or comment? I really hope I set the tank up properly. Thank you for your time.