New to hobby and have a few questions....

[EscVelocity]

During the cycling process, your ph will swing. I would wait until you are finished with your cycle to decide to do anything about your ph.
Ghost shrimp wont last long in a cycling tank.
It's really best to do a fishless cycle. Let your kiddo know that the aquarium isn't ready for fish, and it will make the fish sick to add them now.

 

[fort384]

Peat moss is an effective way to get your desired effect. It can make a bit of a mess though.

I tried something a little different with a tank I am currently cycling -- I bought some seachem Stability. It is a live bacteria supplement. Most of these products don't work, but I decided to give this one a try since I have had good luck with other seachem products.

Well, so far it has worked. In a brand new tank, I have 3 zebra danios happily living in .25 or less ammonia levels, and by day 3 I was already seeing some nitrite in the tank. In a week of running, I have only done 1 10-15% PWC, and my tank really seems to be establishing itself. Most will tell you, and I can attest, that under normal circumstances doing a cycle with fish, daily PWCs of 50% or more can be required to keep ammonia levels in check... so so far I give this product an A+.

I got it at petsmart, it might be worth checking out. I am going to hear about it though from the fishless cycling purists .

 

[Fishboy856]

Ok guys......tank cycled and now fish are hapily swimming around in their new homes.

First off; I want to thank everyone in here for such good advice and assisting me with the information I needed. I am sorry I haven't been here in a few. Work has really picked up these past few weeks. Well; tank has fully cycled already; and last week I added 2 Platies. I gave them a week to see how they adjusted; and did daily water testing to make sure everything was running properly....did have a little bit of a nitrite swing; but the following day; lvls were back to normal. Last night; I picked up 2 Mollies and a CAE.......so far everyone seems to be enjoying their new environment.

 

[Fishboy856]

Oh; and by the way; my lil' one decided to name the algae eater Louie........lol

 

[rubyfire]

aww how cute, its always fun to name your fish and congrats on the tank.

 

[dkpate]

Congrats on being so patient with the cycle and doing your research first! Good job!!! Glad all of your fish are doing well, and I love the name Louie for a fish! LOL

 

[Fishboy856]

Hey all......I know I just got my 20 gallon up and running. However; I too was overcome by MTS....lol. I was on my way home from work yesterday; and low and behold; I found a 10 gallon with filter; heater; hood, and lights. I stopped and asked the guy what he wanted for it just for the heck of it; and he gave it to me. He was in the process of cleaning out his garage and told me that the filter and all works; but was not sure if the tank leaked or not. I got it home and water tested it; and holds water perfectly and all equipment works wonderful (with the exception of one light bulb was burned out). Now; my predictament is this. I have the 20 tall as my tropical tank and am thinking about the 10 gallon being a coldwater tank. Are there any other fish other than goldies that can survive in a cold water environment??? Or if I was to go ahgead and put the heater in it; what would be a good selecton of fish??

 

[mfdrookie516]

well, white cloud minnows would work, zebra danios will also work if properly acclimated to that temp as long as it isnt below 68, i had some fry in one of my 10g's that isnt heated...