aquarium dunce

Woo hooo I believe my tank has finally completed cycling! Amm 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 20. I think I might buy some cardinal tetras friday!! How much of a water change should I do before ready for fish?? And thanks for all of ya'll who have helped! After struggling with this tank since Christmas I was ready to give up. I have been telling everyone I see looking at tanks and fish about the site!!

Lucy

Yay!!!!!! Congratulations!!

How did you cycle?
I'd change at least a 50% change before adding fish, get the nitrates more towards 10, IMO.

aquarist48

Hello Aquarium Dunce.
I agree with Lucy on the water change. Congrats on the cycle!

Remember your cycle is new so don't over load it with too many fish at one time. Even though your tank is cycled, the beneficial bacteria are not as strong as they will be later on as the tank ages. I suggest 2 or 3 fish to start with.
Best of luck. We love pictures!
Have you thought about a quarantine set up for down the road?
Ken

MizRamzi

to your cycled tank, isn't it exciting!! Having fun stalking!!!

aquarium dunce

When I came upon this website I already had ammonia off the charts so did water changes until it got down to 4, adjusted my pH with crushed coral, added a couple of shrimp in a nylon and waited. All advice from here as my LFS was very stumped!
I plan on adding only 2-3 fish at a time. Should I wait 1 or 2 weeks between additions??

aquarist48

Evening. Personally, after you add the first few, I would wait a week...Check your readings and if everything is fine then add some more. The only problem is introducing disease with every addition with out quarantine first. So, keep that in back of your mind You could place an additional filter sponge in the tank some where and let it start seeding in case you need it.
Have fun!
Ken

aquarium dunce

will do that thanks.... how big of a tank do I need for a quarantine tank??

BigJoe

IMO that depends on the fish... something like a cardinal tetra if 1 at a time a critter keeper with sponge filter would be more than enough... for 3-4 at a time maybe even a 5.5g-10g

these are just what i have noticed cause in the short time that i have been in this hobby... I have never had one... i plan on getting a 1.5g tank that is at walmart for $20 and seeding the filter once i get my tanks back up and cycling and that is what I'll use for one from then on...

peacemaker92

Congrats! Glad you finally finished the cycle.

aquarist48

BigJoe is correct. It really depends on the type of fish that needs to go in there. For guppies you could even use a plastic container found at the Dollar Store. Add a small filter with already seeded filter media and heater and you're good to go.

If you will go to the top right hand side of this screen and do a search for quarantine tanks I'm sure you'll find some that other members have made. Or you can go to Fish Forum Home and scroll down to the DIY section.
Ken

aquarium dunce

Is 4 cardinal tetras too many to add? Today is fishy friday at the lfs and if you buy one you get one half price.

jwokmuba2

first, i dont think that four will be to much, just keep and eye on your tank for the next week. make sure that your acclimate them well though, i think that i lost a DG by not doin the accimating process right, if you float your bag then just take out some of the lfs store water about 25%, dont put it in your tank, and replace with some of your tank water, about 3/4 to 1 cup of water, every ten mins for about an hour, i used a messuring cup. then net your fish out of the bag and place them in your tank, again dont put the lfs water in your tank....