Questions regarding my new tank

Jerry1809 · June 18th, 2009

I have been reading threads for almost a week now and finally decided to register with Fishlore.com.
I have a 26 gal bowfront tank started on 6/11/09. I did a 25% water change with water conditioner on early morning 6/14/09. I added 2 zebra danios later that evening. Feedings are 2 small amounts daily. I test parameters twice a day with strip tests. My latest readings from last night are:
Amonia 0.5
nitrite 0.0
nitrate 0.0
pH 7.0
Temp 75-78 degrees F
I plan on doing 10% water changes every week. Do I increase the water changes if my amonia levels rise above 1.0 or do I stick to the once a week schedule no matter what? After my tank is cycled I would like to add 3 more danios, 3 swordtails (2 females 1 male) and 3 pepper cory cats. I am wondering if that would be overstocking?

I have really enjoyed reading all the great discussions on this site.

jdhef · June 18th, 2009

Welcome to FishLore!

Many people find it cruel to cycle a tank with fish in it, since the fish are exposed to deadly toxins during the cycling process. Now don't feel like I am scolding you, because due to ignorance I too cycled with some Danio's.

In order to treat your fish in the best manner possible during the cycle, you should do daily 50% waterchanges, using a water conditioner called Prime. The Prime will detox the ammonia (and later nitrite) for 24 hours (yet still leave it available to feed the bacteria you are trying to cultivate) at which time you will be doing another waterchange with Prime.

Also, I would highly recommend getting the API Master test kit for Freshwater. This liquid test kit is know to be far more accurate than test strips. It initally costs morethan the strips, but it preforms many more test, so it turns out to be cheaper in the long run.

The Uke · June 18th, 2009

You should really consider getting the API Master Freshwater test kit. Much more accurate than your strips. Also, you should do a 50% PWC DAILY using Prime, Amquel + or similar water conditioner until your nitrogen cycle is complete . Then you can do 50% PWC WEEKLY. I don't know where you got the 10% weekly PWC idea, but I'm sure it wasn't from this site.

You would not be overstocked in a 26 gallon tank with that livestock but your Swordtails could get you there soon with their fry and their fries' fry and their fries fries fry..... etc. So then you could get some more tanks

Jerry1809 · June 18th, 2009

Caught red handed, the 10% change was from another webiste :-) Glad I didn't join that forum!!!

The Uke · June 18th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry1809

Caught red handed, the 10% change was from another webiste :-) Glad I didn't join that forum!!!

Maybe after you get a little more experience you could join that other forum and straighten them out!

Jerry1809 · June 18th, 2009

I got the Prime, P_tsm_rt was sold out of the master test kit....

MizRamzi · June 18th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry1809

I have been reading threads for almost a week now and finally decided to register with Fishlore.com.
I have a 26 gal bowfront tank started on 6/11/09. I did a 25% water change with water conditioner on early morning 6/14/09. I added 2 zebra danios later that evening. Feedings are 2 small amounts daily. I test parameters twice a day with strip tests. My latest readings from last night are:
Amonia 0.5
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrate 0.0
Ph 7.0
Temp 75-78 degrees F
I plan on doing 10% water changes every week. Do I increase the water changes if my amonia levels rise above 1.0 or do I stick to the once a week schedule no matter what? After my tank is cycled I would like to add 3 more danios, 3 swordtails (2 females 1 male) and 3 pepper cory cats. I am wondering if that would be overstocking?

I have really enjoyed reading all the great discussions on this site.

Test strips can be very unreliable. Your readings show this to be true. In a healthy tank you should have a reading of Ammonia .0 Nitrite .0 Nitrates .05 to .20
If your ammonia rises above 1.0 you'll most likely lose your fish.
I would not add any more fish until your tank is completely cycled. This can take as long as 6-8 weeks.
This is a great forum with a wealth of information. Welcome to FL!

Brimstonepdx · June 18th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry1809

I got the Prime, P_tsm_rt was sold out of the master test kit....

You can order it at Foster and Smith lots of ppl on this site swear by it though I have never shopped there myself

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4454

aquarist48 · June 19th, 2009

Hello. Just thought I'd add that I shop Drsfostersmith.com and they are very reliable. I've used them for years.

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