PhishFor20

Ok so apparently I suck at this whole fish thing because it seems i have done almost everything wrong so far. This whole nitrogen cycle thing...what should I do? I already have my fish, snails,frog, and shrimp in my 10 gal tank. I've got a filter going and a heater and all that jazz. So now what? Just hope my fish survive this cycle? I feel so bad. I mean i'll go buy this test kit thing. But what should i do!? i don't want my little dudes to die

nate

Ypu can always take the fish back and wait, then go back and get fish again. If you know somebody else that has a tank maybe if they have the room they can take care of them til you are ready. The nitrogen cycle needs to be completed though.

joshthefisherman

I would really recomend for you to return the fish if possible because the first time their is alot of room for error and a fishless cycle is really the way to go. another option is use biospira wich basically is the only known product that works to cycle your tank quick it will also save your fish

PhishFor20

is it expensive?

PhishFor20

And i don't really have a receipt or anything...so I don't think i'd be able to return the poor little guys...Could I just put them in a different smaller fish bowl? But i guess that would be the same thing huh? What should i do? Buy this kit thing and then what?

joshthefisherman

Id get bio spira dont put them in a bowl also do you have test kit if not i will recomend API master kit it has every test and last a long time dont get test strips get liquid tests the test kit cost 20-25 the bio spira 10-15 it can be hard to find do not get the product cycle as iit does not work

travie

Do you know anybody that has a had a fish tank setup for awhile? You could take some of their filter media and put it in your filter and leave it in there for a little while, or some of the top layer of gravel will work to (suggested put in mesh bag and let sit in your tank for awhile then take mesh bag out). This will result in pretty much an instant mini-cycle for your tank.

Blub

PhishFor20

two tuxedo guppies, 1 black molly, 2 snails, 2 shrimp, and one crazy ADF, I guess i'll just have to change the water every few days because i don't know anyone who has a setup, can i just replace the 25% of water i take out with regular tap water? thanks for the help guys, glad i found this place

Faye Rod

I know how you feel - I'm in the same boat but am coming through the cycle -more importantly the fish are coming through the cycle! I sometimes did 25% water changes twice a day when the ammonia spiked. Now the nitrite is up and I have done the 25% change every day - haven't had to do a twice a day yet. I do a change whenever the reading is 1.0 The fish have never acted stressed but I understand they can be damaged by the ammonia and nitrite even when it's low.

Did you use tap water in your tank when you set it up? If not then test the pH on your tap and see how different it is from what is in your tank. The fish won't do well if you put in water with a drastically different pH.

And I have learned - always use a water conditioner when you add tap water...I'm not sure about reverse osmosis water or distilled.

From one newbie to another - good luck!

Lucy

Your tap water must first be treated with a water conditioner to take out the baddies (chlorine etc.) that will kill your fish, I think a lot here recommend Prime.
Also make sure the water you add is the same temp. as your tank.
Have you gotten your test kit yet?

PhishFor20

no....i'm broke until tomorrow, and whats a water conditioner?

AggieYen

Cory, while we do love answering questions and helping beginners to the hobby out, it's probably a lot more productive for you to look up the articles on this site to learn the basics, then come here and ask the things you don't understand. Everything you need to know and have been asking, are in the basic beginners' topics on this site:

http://www.fishlore.com/Beginners.htm

This way you don't have to wait for replies to your posts, and you'll learn a lot more that way.

COBettaCouple

Water conditioner removes chlorine from the water. Most also remove chloramines. Some remove other heavy metals as well and also boost slime coating. We use and recommend "Prime".

PhishFor20

k thanks, i did a water change last night, i get paid today so i will get the test kit ASAP

PhishFor20

I bought this stuff called "Cycle" there wasn't any pet stores in town with biosqira, so i had to settle with stuff. It says it releases a massive amount of beneficial bacteria into the aquarium. But it takes like two weeks, and then says that i have to continue to put in a smaller amount every week after.
-First question, do i really need to continue to put this stuff in every week? Shouldn't a bacteria colony form after awhile and i wouldn't have to keep puttin stuff in? I'll be able to tell once i get a test kit and can see how the levels are right?
-And second, do i need to continue to do daily 25% water changes? and if i do have to wont it be taking this bacteria out of the water that i just put in?
Sorry for the long questions, i am determined to get the hang of all this.

susitna-flower

I am so sorry that people at fish stores continue to do this.....but sometimes it really is that starting out, there is a breakdown in communication. WE try but then you get to the store and get conflicting information. Just so you have my vote in this, listen to the folks here on fishlore, we do not make money off you, and have had years of experience. The ONLY reason anyone here gives you advice is because we want your fish experience to be fun, and healthy for your fish.

If you had read all the suggested articles, and browsed the posts...you would know CYCLE doesn't work!

I think everyone here has been very considerate to try to help and be sure that the products we recommend are ones that DO work, in the end you will save money if you pay attention and listen to the advice given here on fishlore. I know it is frustrating when something like bio-spira isn't available right from your local store....

You are still in the very same position you were before. 25% water changes every day, until your water tests come back 0 for ammonia, and nitrite, and your nitrates go up to 5-10....
What you do about the CYCLE product is up to you. Bacterial colonies grow ON things like the glass, gravel, decorations and in the filter. Changing water does not alter the number of bacteria in your tank by enough to deter you from doing the water changes. IF you don't change water the waste levels will be toxic and kill your fish.

You were told to get a water conditioner..to take out chlorine was that something you got? I don't know if anyone gave you a particular brand, but both Prime and Amquel work. There are more, just read on the container and look for something that you put in with each water change to take out chlorine and chloramine.
I wish you the best with this tank. It will eventually cycle, and I hope your fish make it.

PhishFor20

ahhh.....well thank you very much

COBettaCouple

Unfortunately, Cycle is the wrong type of bacteria and who knows how long it was sitting there on the shelf. What it does is create a series of mini cycles in your tank, that's why you have to keep adding it forever. The fluctuating levels are hard on the fish and the tank doesn't really cycle except by chance.

We used that stuff when we started and our tanks just wouldn't cycle and we couldn't figure out why. Then we came on here and found out. After we stopped using it, the tanks finally cycled in a couple weeks. So many people buy that expensive water.