Noob needs a little advice...

[Prediscus23]

Hello, I am relatively new at aquaria and need some advice on cycling,

I want to know what I need to be looking for at the beginning of the process.
I am running a 29 gal Bowfront fish-in cycle with a penguin 200 filter, and 3 Glowlight tetras.

I have been running for one week now and I need to know what is "normal" for this stage?

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0

P.S. I also have a seeded algae ball in the tank from pet smart.... is this ok?....

 

[BBradbury]

Fish in Cycling

Hello, I am relatively new at aquaria and need some advice on cycling,

I want to know what I need to be looking for at the beginning of the process.
I am running a 29 gal Bowfront fish-in cycle with a penguin 200 filter, and 3 Glowlight tetras.

I have been running for one week now and I need to know what is "normal" for this stage?

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0

P.S. I also have a seeded algae ball in the tank from pet smart.... is this ok?....

Hello Pre...

I've cycled a tank before with fish, but it was a 55 gallon tank and I used a couple of dozen Fancy Guppies. I don't believe three small fish is enough to get the cycling process started.

I would get some really hardy fish like Zebra Danios, Platys or Guppies and get a dozen or so fish total.

Anything from a clean, established tank will help with the cycling process, but the process takes several weeks.

While you're getting more fish, pick up a testing kit that tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. You'll need to test daily for these toxins and change a minimum of 10 gallons of water if you have a positive test.

Some floating plants like Anacharis and Pennywort will help with the process too.

Just some suggestions.

B

 

[Prediscus23]

I read a thread on here that the rule of thumb was 1 fish for every 10 gallons.. Is that not accurate?

 

[Bettafanatic]

Not at all. It really depends on bio load, adult size, energy, and of course the size of tank will narrow down your options.

 

[jackwagon]

No it's not accurate. Every species is different and needs a little different setup.
Take this example,

In a 30 gallon the only fish you could put in there are 3 ember tetras? The "rule" may work for certain applications but in most situations it is inaccurate and untrue.

 

[Billbug68]

In my experience glowlights are pretty hardy, I'd stay away from guppies, again from my experience they are not as hardy. I'd up your school of glowlights to at least 5 or more since you already have some. I've got 6 in my 10 gallon.

 

[Prediscus23]

I mainly got that glowlight tetras for my cycling process. Is the bio load that those fish put off too small? Should I go get a dozen gups?
And should I do water changes as soon as I got a positive result from any test (amm, nitrite, or nitrate?)
Srry for the onslaught of questions jus want to kno why Iam doin wat I'm doin.