fishieguy
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I have a couple of basic questions, but first I want to say something: Congrats to everyone on the board for being the most newb-friendly on the net. I'm just starting my first FW aquarium and I've been using some "other" boards for reference (as I know nothing). I just found this board today and am happy to discover that the tone (from the threads I've been reading) is far more courteous.
Anyway, that said, here are my questions:
I started a 10-gallon tank about three weeks ago (yeah, I know, too small for a beginner -- I know that now). I have two starter fish (platies -- I had never heard about fishless cycling until the day after I bought them). Until a couple of days ago, I had seen no change in my test strip readings. Then I saw my nitrites start to rise a little.
Meanwhile, my tank was cloudy for about five or six days before starting to clear up (today). Today I also noticed a rust-colored invasion on my decorations, plants and, in a couple of spots, tank glass. I've learned from this forum that the newcomer is likely diatom algae. OK, no problem.
My question is this: Are all of these signs (nitrite rise, cloudiness/dissipation, diatom algae) indicative of a certain stage in the cycle? I saw someone say diatoms show up toward the end, but I haven't seen other changes in my test readings. And here's another question: How do I know when the tank has cycled? Is there something I should be watching for?
I want to add more fish, but I keep reading that too many/too soon is No. 1 failure recipe for new aquarists.
Thanks in advance. And, no, I wasn't just trying to suck up with the compliment.
Anyway, that said, here are my questions:
I started a 10-gallon tank about three weeks ago (yeah, I know, too small for a beginner -- I know that now). I have two starter fish (platies -- I had never heard about fishless cycling until the day after I bought them). Until a couple of days ago, I had seen no change in my test strip readings. Then I saw my nitrites start to rise a little.
Meanwhile, my tank was cloudy for about five or six days before starting to clear up (today). Today I also noticed a rust-colored invasion on my decorations, plants and, in a couple of spots, tank glass. I've learned from this forum that the newcomer is likely diatom algae. OK, no problem.
My question is this: Are all of these signs (nitrite rise, cloudiness/dissipation, diatom algae) indicative of a certain stage in the cycle? I saw someone say diatoms show up toward the end, but I haven't seen other changes in my test readings. And here's another question: How do I know when the tank has cycled? Is there something I should be watching for?
I want to add more fish, but I keep reading that too many/too soon is No. 1 failure recipe for new aquarists.
Thanks in advance. And, no, I wasn't just trying to suck up with the compliment.