weljer61

Hello all

I am new to this hobby but am very eager to learn. I have a new 38 gallon freshwater tank with gravel substrate, a few living plants, 2 large stones and intend to add some driftwood once I can get it to sink. It has a mechanical filter which flows into the water and a light. I have read and think I understand the nitrogen cycle. It has been set up for 3 days now.

The local pet stores in the area have conflicting ideas on when to introduce fish. Some saying it is ready now. I do not have a complete kit yet but know that the pH is around 7.4.

There are 3 shrimp in it right now that is all. I want to add some fish but dont want them to die. Once I know the tank has been cycled and good to go I would like to introduce angel fish (I love the way they look, move, and watch when I walk by in the stores).

What is a good colorful hardy fish I can introduce now that will eventually mesh with an Angel fish down the road?

Also for down the road can a red tail shark go with Angel fish?

Im so excited for this to get rolling, its something I have wanted for a long time.

Thank you in advance

Kitsune

Welcome to fishlore!

If you are looking to cycle the tank one of the best ways is by doing a fishless cycle. It takes less time than cycling with fish, you would have more time to think about what you really want to add to the tank rather than adding something just to cycle it AND you wouldn't be exposing the fish to the toxins created by the cycle.

Another option is a product called tetra safestart. It's hard to get in stores but you might get lucky, or you could order it online. If you go with the tetra safestart the greatest part of that is you add the safestart and then add the fish immediately.

If you do decide to cycle the tank with fish you can add them at any time but you may want to purchase either Prime or Aquamel +. They are both water conditioners that not only removed the chlorine/chloramine, they also detoxify ammonia. It could help save the fish you are cycling the tank with.

Sorry to throw so much information at you at once

weljer61

Any info can help as I feel a little overwelmed. How long does the fishless cycle take? I actually intend to go buy a testing kit this evening.

Selecting fish that will go together seems a bit difficult.

iloveengl

Hi Weljer Welcome to FishLore!

I hate to say it, but fish stores often say a tank is ready because they're going for the immediate sell. There's really no way your tank is cycled unless you used a bottle of TSS and even then, a few shrimp wouldn't create enough ammonia to feed the live bacteria.

Here's a link that will help a lot: Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling OR you can buy a bottle of Tetra Safe Start, which allows you to add fish immediately. Keep in mind if you go to the fish store and they try to sell you something that claims to immediately cycle your tank, the only product on the market right now with the appropriate live bacteria for freshwater is Tetra Safe Start. (I don't mean to sound like an infomercial, I've just read too many posts about LFS selling the wrong stuff just to make a profit ).

Another thing to look into (this will tell you if your tank is cycled) is a liquid master test kit. It should test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and usually pH (the pH is honestly not that important for now).

Angels, from what I've read, are very sensitive fish. They may die in a new tank, even if it has cycled. You may want to wait a few months after it's cycled to add them. But immediately after the cycle, you could add other less sensitive tank mates. And that's where I am officially useless. I know almost nothing about rts.

Others will surely be along with some more ideas. Enjoy the site and welcome to the new hobby. It's loads of fun, once you're past the initial setup.

weljer61

ok I just got myself a Master Test Kit. Here are my results
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm
pH 7.6
Temperature is 78

That is where I wanna be right?

Whats next? These results seem to be pretty good from what I read. This tank has only been up for 4 days.

btate617

I will let someone else answer your test reading questions, as I am not the best one in that department.


One other option for you as angels do tend to be on the sensitive side, you could look at Mesonauta Festivus (Flag cichlid, Festive cichlid) they are similiar in appearence and in my experience easier to keep.

Brian

weljer61

Oh I guess I forgot to mention that when I set it up I added a conditioner that came with the aquarium.

aquarist48

Hello Weljer and Welcome to Fish Lore. First I would test my tap water for nitrates. I think your readings may be deceiving you as your tank hasn't had time to cycle. What conditioner came with the tank that you've added?

Ilovee gave you some good links and tips on cycling your tank.

By all means ask all the questions that you need to.
Ken

weljer61

Ok here are todays results.

Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
pH 6.6
Temp 78

The conditioner I added was "Water Conditioner" by aqueon.

iloveengl

What is causing the ammonia readings? Is that the tap water readings or are you beginning a fishless cyle? Sorry for the questions - I'm easily confused sometimes. lol

Lucy

I'm a little confused also.
In your aquarium info it says you have no stock, but your first post says you have shrimp?

weljer61

This tank has been up for 5 days. Live plants, and yes there are 2 ghost shrimp in there. I have been adding a little fish food every 12 hours.

So I dont understand where I am in the Nitrogen Cycle.

Kitsune

Based on your readings I would say at the beginning. The nitrates are perhaps coming from your water but you get ammonia, then nitrates, then nitrites. You are not cycled until you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and then nitrates.

Lucy

The fish food explains the ammonia reading and looks like the cycle is just starting.
I'm worried about your shrimp surviving the cycle. The ammonia and nitrites are going to rise and they're both toxic to your shrimp.

As aquarist mentioned above, you might want to check your tap water for nitrates. It's too soon to have a reading in your tank.
The cycle goes kinda like this:
Ammonia--->Nitrites--->Nitrates.

Kit! lol

aquarist48

Hello Weljef. As far as having an Angel and a Red Tail Shark (RTS) in a 38g tank, I wouldn't recommend it personally. I think the RTS needs a 55g or more. I know it's been suggested that the RTS only needs a 10g tank but I "highly" disagree. I don't think the Angel would handle the stress very well. Let's see what some others have to say. I have a Rainbow Shark (pretty much the same as the RTS) in my 265g and he'll chase my large Silver Dollars all over the place at times.

Great info in posts above about your cycle. It may take a while so be patient

Ken

weljer61

Well thank you all for your input it has been very helpful and Im sure that I will soon have more questions.

Im amazed at how the LFS push sales. They do not seem to be very knowledgeable about what they are selling.

I have learned alot from this site. Never realized how much went into taking care of an aquarium, and the LFS makes sound like you add water, fish and your good. But no worries here I have been wanting an aquarium for a long time so I will follow thru.

weljer61

Ok I tested my tap water for Nitrates and got 0

Here are todays results
Ammonia 0-0.25 its really close
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
pH 7.8
Temp is 78

Ghost shrimp are still kicking. Adding a little fish flake food every 12 hours.
Where do you all think I am in the Nitrogen Cycle?

flyin-lowe

I still think you are in the beginning of the cycle. I am not sure where the nitrates are coming from but the little bit of food and the bio load of 2 ghost shrimp won't make a lot of ammonia. I have a tank I am cycling that has six tetras in it and is getting food everyday. I am still getting .25-.50 for ammonia and 0 nitrites, and 5 nitrates. I have a little nitrates in my tap water. It has been going for four weeks today. After a month I still don't have any nitrites. I would not worry about testing the nitrates at this point. You should see the ammonia start to rise for a week or two (4 weeks in my case) they should start to level off and then you will see a spike in the nitrites. Once those both level off and you get elevated nitrate readings then you are going. If you have not had any nitrite readings I would think you are just getting started.

aquarist48

Good morning. If you are using the API Master Test Kit...be sure to shake the Nitrate bottles VERY well. Beat them on the counter, your hand. Sometimes crystals develop in the bottle and it takes a really good shaking to mix it all up.
Good luck!
Ken