richard7467

okay my tank has finally cycled Nitrites 0 ammonia 0 nitrates 20 now is that level of nitrates ok?adding a couple of female dwarf gouramis and a clown pleco tomorrow

Blub

richard7467

im gonna go with your first idea

chickadee

Nitrate does not go down on its own. It is done with a water change. So do a 40% or so water change and then check the nitrates. If it is under 20 you are good to go. If not do one more day and another water change. You can do up to 50% water change at a time but no more with a new cycle.

When you get less than 20 on the nitrates with a water change you are CYCLED!! Congratulations. Now just populate it slowly. I am so proud of you, you did it!!!

richard7467

Sorry all for not posting for a while I now have my tank set up Nitrites 0 Nitrates 10 pH 7.5 24/25 DEG C 3 Dwarf Gouramies (2 female) 7 cardinals, 5 Julii Cories and a Clown Pleco. Amazingly I think the Gouramies are thinking about breeding as they seem to be playing kiss chase constantly (the fem is plump) and they embrace frequently to the extent they become a lifeless floating body for 5-10 seconds properly cuddling up to each other but the male doesn't appear to be building a nest, so I think maybe not! What do you think.
Special thanks goes out to Hatchet and Chickadee for their expert advice and patience guiding me through the initial set.
nope they are definetly spawning just witnessed them she pick at his fins and side they embraced he rolled he over and she released her eggs but why hasnt he built a nest oh after the spawning he ate the eggs.

chickadee

My pleasure for anything I may have done but the work was yours and you should have every reason to be proud of your efforts. Enjoy your babies and tank. It sounds wonderful. Please keep us informed of your progress and post pics if you can. I am so pleased for you.

Rose

Blub

I've seen DG's attempt to breed before in a QT! First, the male started blowing bubbles, and making a large bubble nest. I put in a few floating plants for him to use in it, and he seemed to use them to structure it. Then, he tried to spawn with the female. (No eggs!), he obviously thought there where eggs and tried to kill the female and defended the nest... Fish don't get 'Pregnant', (Well, Livebearers do, but that's a dfferent story) as the young are raised in the eggs. Great to hear how your tank is coming along though! Can you post pics?