fishylp

As I mentioned in one of my other posts I am cycling my tank with fish food. About a week ago the ammonia level jumped from about 1, I'm not sure about the unit. I'm using a liquid test kit... but the ammonia has jumped from about 1 to more than 4.

Should I keep adding food to the tank, or should I just let the tank be?

Minnow

Keep adding food until the tank is cycled- i.e., you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and some nitrate. Good luck, and kudos to you for cycling fishless!

fishylp

Minnow, thanks. I should start seeing the ammonia level drop soon, right? I mean there's been high levels of ammonia in the tank for about a week. So should the nitrites begin to rise?

Dozey

Keep adding food, eventually you will get nitrite readings and then nitrate readings. Eventually the ammonia and nitrite readings will hit zero while nitrates readings should be between 5 and 20 PPM. (And ppm is the units, parts per million).

Minnow

I'm not sure, as I have never cycled fishless (much to my regret). You can look here: Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle for more info on fishless cycling, and I'm sure someone else will be along soon if you still need an answer.

I wish you a speedy cycle, mine certainly took long enough (over two months, if you're wondering).

jdhef

fishylp, it may take a couple of weeks before the ammonia drops and nitrites start to rise.

fishylp

Two months? Goodness. I'm hoping I will have fish in my tank by Christmas. That would be a good Christmas present!

Minnow

It only took that long because I had to cycle with fish, so I was doing water changes every day. Water changes set back the cycle, so it took twice as long as a fishless cycle does.

fishylp

That's right. I've read that. I just kind of forgot about it because I'm doing the fishless route.

Is it best to do a water change before adding fish? I'm 99% sure the answer is yes. 50% change, or less/more?

Peterpiper

I would do a 100% WC, and a good vacume of the sand / gravel.
The ammonia does strange things to the pH and the ammount of food added during the cycle would have made the water dirty

fishylp

100% it is. Surprisingly the water looks really clean. Of course, if I stir up the water at all there's lots of floaties.

Dozey

A 100% water change is recommended. And since you seem to have an understanding of the cycling process (good work) this would be a good time to start filling in your “Aquarium Details”. This will help members advise you with your up coming questions…

How to stock your tank? When your tank is cycled it will be tempting to run out and buy all the fishies you want in your tank. This won’t be good. Stocking too quickly will crash your cycle and you will be back to square one. Stocking your tank with the wrong fish will is also a common mistake. That little pleco that looks really cute at the fish store that the LFS sales person tells you will help keep your tank really clean will soon grow to be 12” to 18” long. Not a good fit unless you are cycling a 100 gallon tank.

And no… those amazing looking neons and that vibrant blue cichlid won’t make good fish mates either. Although I’m sure the cichlid would enjoy the snack.

So you don’t have to just sit back and stare at that empty tank while it cycles. There is so much more to learn before it finishes.

fishylp

Dozey, thanks for the great advice. I get on here at lease once a day for a half hour and read some posts. I've learned a lot. Especially patience in waiting for the cycle. One of the first posts I put up was asking what kind of fish to put it. And boy was I glad I asked. I've decided on 6 tetra, 1 DG, and some shrimp. I'm also thinking about 6 guppies, or something instead of the shrimp for the bottom clean up crew.

And Dozey, you might be able to help with my next question. It was suggested I start with the tetra. How many can I start with in a 29 gallon tank?

I'll fill out my aquarium details.

Dozey

I’m sorry but no I can’t help you with that question. I am new to this all as well and I’ve got all the wrong fish for my 35 gallon tank. I’ve got the tank care down now so my own next challenge is figuring out how to deal with my improperly stocked tank

3 fish, 1 cichlid (needs to find a new home), 1 pleco that will soon out grow my tank (needs to find a new home) and a red tail shark (praying that I find a new home for the cichlid sooner then later).

fishylp

Sounds like it's time for you to get another tank already. I've been checking out Craigslist and there are a lot of good deals out there. I just have to convince my wife that we shold have another tank already. I think the quarintine tank idea worked, but can't have fish in a quarintine tank forever.