Lucy

Unfortunatly, with their size tank, there isn't room to add any fish.

Mike19

Thats great news, how will you be cycling the tank and your welcome helping is what we are about at fishlore


I agree, when she gets her new 40-55gal she can add some more in.

wakingupnow

Yes it is.

Well, since there are a few ways to do it I was going to ask about that. I do see that the pure ammonia method for nitrogen cycling is most clear and it won't cause a dirty filter(say with rotten fish/shrimp or fish food). If you think there is a better method, please do tell.

wakingupnow

Hi everyone.

A new update tonight: It seems to look okay and the fish are lively and swimming all around.

Now, I'm finally noticing the aggression from the Tiger Barbs and even the larger of the 2 Mollys, but it hasn't seemed to have gotten out of hand from what I have observed.

Also good news, the water looks clearer, but I would like to know if this toxic ammonia, nitrite and nitrate would have a color to the water like a bacterial bloom or would the water be clear as crystal?

Thanks again for the help everyone.

agabr123

you probably won't see any differences in the color of your water with ammonia/nitrite/nitrate spikes, unfortunately

Lucy

Your water could still be clear, you can't see ammonia nitrites or nitrates.
If you have a bacterial bloom ammonia and nitrites could still be present in the water.

Mike19

Best thing would be to buy a liquid test it that way when the liquids bond with one another you will see whether or not you have ammonia,nitrites nitrates present.

wakingupnow

Hello everyone again

Well, today I went fishy shopping and got a few things. I got an ammonia tester ( still have to get nitrate and nitrite ones because I can't find a master test kit), and a pH tester.

There was a sign on ammonia and the card indicated .5-1.0. Also the ph tester indicated a 7.2 which I thought was good considering a middle ground ph for all of the fish in the tank.

I also bought some API ammo lock because I could not find any prime as of yet and the tank so I added some and am going to test for ammonia again (Question: How long should I wait to test again?).

Also, going to try out this gravel vacuum in a bit.

Take care all.

docjr03

I believe stress-zyme plus claims that you will have a cloudy tank for a few days (mine was for a week) after using it. The cloudiness is not a sign of cycling, the proper bacteria do not replicate nearly fast enough for that. You should be able to use stress zyme + as your water conditioner, though. You may want to call tetra, they can help you with the protocol on using this product.
Daily water changes and gravel vacuums helped me get through cycling in less than 4 weeks. Hope this helps!

wakingupnow

Hi again all,

Just a quick update.

My fish seem to be doing well, but I haven't been able to get the ammonia levels under .5 so I am still using the ammo lock and will be until it's all gone. This weekend I will be getting the nitrate and nitrite tester kits so I can know when the cycle has finished.

Thanks everyone for the help!

Mike19

Thats great news and your welcome