Amanda

I had to return a common pleco that I unknowily bought at Petsmart. My lfs traded it for a clown pleco - which stays 4 in.

nemo addict

fishfood

Amanda

Be careful as most fish food releases phosphates as it breaks down - then you have another problem on your hands.

Freshwater Fan

I havea an aqueon 55. Is this enough right now?

Devon

I use clippings off aquarium plants (regular pruning of dead leaves, etc, decaying plant matter), and snails. A few mystery snails can put out quite the bio-load, and I find they don't seem to care one bit about the nitrogen cycle. They just cruise around and poo all over the tank, I recently cycled my 10 gallon tank fishless using 2 snails, a rotting plant, and some well-seeded sponge filter. I added some leftover brine shrimp that my fish didn't eat all of one day. Took me less than 2 weeks from start to finish.

Amanda

That filter is for a tank MAX on 55 gal. - so you're pushing it with being overstocked right now. I'm not sure if another filter is called for in this situation. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge on over filtering will be along soon. It's never a bad idea to over filter - it can't harm the fish - only help.

nemo addict

i would add another filter till stocking levels are down , but be sure to clean often as filters can become nitrate factories themselfs

Devon

I'm basing the suggestion for a second filter solely on the divided tank aspect -- all the junk that would go in through the intake is often trapped on the other side of a divider, and usually the section furthest from the filter gets much less filtration than the other side. The only remedy I can think of, is to have an intake on each end.

Freshwater Fan

I went to petland last night and I must say that the tanks were much better kept, the fish looked much more vibrant and alive, over healther in apearance, and the staff were "fish nerds" (to be taken as a compliment) They seemed to really know there stuff. PetCo is in a haze compared to them. I think I Will be going there from now on.

As far as my water quality is concerned, pH 7.2, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, Amonia 0.

I am considering NOT doing the daily water changes for 2 weeks thing and change the water once I see the amonia level start to rise. ( I will check it daily) I figure doing it this way will aid in propogation of helpful bactieria.

Amanda

By not doing water changes - if there is an ammonia spike (and there will be), your fish will all die. Cycling with fish can take weeks - that's why most people do a fishless cycle. I would still recommend taking the fish to your lfs and selling them to the store. Then when your cycle is over - you can re-stock wil fish that are better suited for a 55 gal. tank. It's in yours and the fish best interest.

Freshwater Fan

Okay- i will do the water changes. Also, My amiona is at 1. I forgot to let the test stand for a few min. So just remind me again? 10% EVERY DAY for 2 weeks right?

Amanda

50% EVERYDAY for however long it takes for the cycle to complete. It took one of the members here 9 weeks to cycle with fish.

Freshwater Fan

im sorry for my ignorance, but how will I know that cycle is complete? I know that there is no way I can keep up daily 50% water changes for 9 weeks. LOL.

I have the tap water conditioner and biozyme on hand. I am taking 50% of the water out right now. Do I add the water conditioner as I am adding the water with my python? or put it in after I fill it back up?

Amanda

You'll know the cycle is done when there's been a spike in ammonia, followed shortly by a spike in nitrite. Then these should both drop and the nitrate level should be between 10 - 20. Yeah, cycling with fish takes a long time. Add the conditioner as you add the water back into the tank. It's going to be a time consuming project, but the water changes are for your fish best health.

PetSmart

Just a thought - if you know anyone else that may keep fish, see if you can't mooch one of their slight to moderately used filter pads and use that in your tank. It (theoretically) should bring some more beneficial bacteria into your tank, which could help ease the stress from your ammo and nitrIte spikes. Really though, anything out of a cycled tank can work the same.
Otherwise doing daily large water changes are the only way the fish are going to pull through the cycle. It's ironic to me how the changes are going to stunt the cycles progression, yet it's the only way to get 'er done.

Hope all goes well!

Freshwater Fan

Thanks for all your answers so far. I am looking into upgrading the mechanical filtration on the tank. I am looking at adding a canister filter. According to one thing I read, the Fluval is over rated, has low head pressure and poor design. The ehiem, while good, is overpriced. The Via Aqua (the 750 is the one I am looking at) can be had for 90 bucks plus shipping. Anyone have any luck with this filter? Are there any convience features that I might not be able to live without in a more expensive fluval or eheim unit? I don't want to get somethign cheap that will give me headaches. I want a good quality USER FRIENDLY filter that is not too loud either. It will be working in conjunction with the aqueon 55. Thanks again. Great forum!

PetSmart

Tip here:

For a well priced non canister filter...try printing this and taking it into a petsmart (or anywhere else that will price match) and price matching it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...6173&catid=115
$45 for an AC110 is amazing, and that filters ability is up to par with some of the smaller canisters. Heck, it moves more water then all the small fluvals, FX5 excluded.
:P Every time my store gets new ones, I get them for half price, same day.

Devon

You have to be prepared to... and if you can't do it, I would do as Amanda suggested and take your fish back, cycle your tank, then go purchase fish that are right for your tank.

Most LFSs have "orphan" tanks and will take fish off your hands if you are unable to care for them.