Fi$hFace

Well. After weeks of 50% water changes, plenty of Prime, API Stress Coat+ and the occasional shot of API Stress Zyme I am happy to say that my tank is cycled!! Whoo hoo! Did my testing today and everything came out to 0.

I only lost one Tetra, but I'm almost positive it was due to ICH, not to the cycling.

I was so happy about my readings I just had to share with everyone else!!!

MrsM3197

Everything was 0? 0 ammonia 0 nitrItes 0 nitrAtes? You need to be showing some nitrAtes to be cycled. I don't want to rain on your parade, 'cause I know how the waiting is just ever so much a pain.

Shawnie

such a great feeling isnt it? took me 9 weeks to cycle mine booo hoo..only thing I need to ask is do you have real plants in your tank? if not, you should have some nitrate reading ....

Fi$hFace

Hmm. Well that's upseting. The nitrate tube seems to be dark yellow. Perhaps there are a little bit of nitrates? Maybe less than 5? Its not as dark as 5 but not as light as 0. I'm going to say 2.5. Whoo hoo! I'm still happy!

Shawnie

are you using the api test kit? if so, retest and really bang that #2 bottle on a counter and retest..the crystals in that #2 needs to be mixed really well

Fi$hFace

Yeah I'm using API. I did bang it around really well. I'll do another test really quick.

MrsM3197

:::crossing fingers::: for nitrAtes!!!

Shawnie

doing the happy nappy nitrate dance while mrs m crosses her fingers!

Fi$hFace

Well. I have been proven wrong, in a good way. =) I didn't realize I had to run that bottle over with a bulldozer before it was ready to use. I definitely have some nitrates. 5.0 is what I've got. =) Hooray Nitrates!

MrsM3197

WOOT WOOT!!! Doing the NitrATe Boogie!!! Good for you, congratulations!

You really gotta whack the patooty out of that bottle.

Shawnie

AWESOME!!!!!! and yes you do just about have to run it over....congrats again!!!!!!! and if you stock more into your tank, do it slowly...like 3 small fish give it a few weeks etc....congrats fishface!!!!

Fi$hFace

Thanks! I'm so excited. Wait.... I've been doing water changes daily for 3 weeks now. What do I do now that my tank is cycled?!?!

Shawnie

LOL relax and have a cold one...then change out 15-20 % every other week or every week if over stocked

Fi$hFace

Hmm. That sounds easy enough. And I'm taking a 2 week vacation around Christmas. Do you think 2 weeks without a water change will be bad?

Shawnie

should be fine as long as you do one before you go and you dont over feed or are overstocked ...

Fi$hFace

Maybe I'll teach a friend how to use a siphon... =)

Shawnie

uusally teaching a friend how to not overfeed is more important...ppl who dont usually keep fish love to spend alot of time overfeeding and watching the piggies eat and eat LOL

Lucy

Congrats on the cycle! It's a great feeling isn't it?

Had to laugh at the bulldozer!

Who will feed your fish while you're away?
Like Shawnie said, unless you're overstocked waiting 2 weeks for a water change should hurt anything.

Fi$hFace

I was thinking about buying an automatic feeder? Will that be okay?

Shawnie

they are great if you spend the money on one and not the cheaper I had to get one for work and it cost me $50 something ...otherwise the others have accidents and overfeed or dont feed at all...

Fi$hFace

What kind do you have? I don't mind spending the extra money. I just got back from Iraq, so my savings acct is pretty fat. =)

Shawnie

wow ...hats off to you and your dedication to our country!!!!! thank you so very much !!

and mines a rena automatic feeder and its a digital plug in one....I think petsmart carrys them

Fi$hFace

Thanks! =) I'll look into that feeders and others at PetSmart.

MrsM3197

Don't know a thing about the auto feeders, but just gotta tell you if I had a hat it would be off to you. We appreciate what you do.