ifixoldhouses

Hello, new member here, I recently got back into fish keeping after a 10 year hiatus, Every thing I research leads me to this forum, so I figured I'd join up.
I recently aquired a 55 gallon tank and stand, with a Magnum 350 canister filter for free, I stocked it up with plants, driftwood, and rocks and let it set for 3 days, then I put in 4 black tetras ,2 (jade?) corydoras, and one plecotumus. Its been 6 days since I put the fish in, and today I bought the master test kit. I have one of those hangon ammonia testers but it always reads safe. I tested everything today and the ammonia read .50, pH 6.8 everything else 0, I usually change out 5-10% water everyday.I am hopeing to keep some angels and maybe even Discus later on. I have 2 little 15 watt lights atm, but I have a 130 watt light enroute from Ebay. Does everything sound allright so far?

Amanda

You are in the middle of the nitrogen cycle.
Since you have fish, 50% water changes will need to be made until the ammonia levels are at zero.
And welcome!!

agabr123

hi and welcome!

i agree with amanda, 50% daily changes with conditioner are needed until you get the ammonia and nitrite levels to read 0ppm consistently, and nitrate should end up between 5-20ppm

ifixoldhouses

50% wow that's alot of carrying water to save $20 worth of fish, Seems like that would mess up the temp, since I'm just guessing by feel the new water temp. 6 gallons at a time wouldn't change the temp much. A 50% water change once a week, and about 6 gallons a day would work wouldnt it?
theres got to be a better way.

also about the filter, I have a canister filter with a sponge sleeve over a canister filled with carbon and biostones.

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore

Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to your fish. During the cycling process these levels rise and can weaken and kill your fish. It effects their immune system making it harder for them to fight off illness and disease.
It's in your fish's best interest to do daily water changes.
No matter how much they cost, it's still a life.

You might want to look into getting a Python for water changes. I don't have one, but several members do, and they love them.

Good luck

Jess

I've got a Python since I have discus and change water all the time. Its the only way to go. By the way. Don't invest in discus til you have your cycle well completed. You'll just be wasting your money. They won't survive the cycle process. Actually most fish won't. Unless you change the water daily. Like Lucy said.

ifixoldhouses

oh ya, discus would be 4 months from now, but what about the tempature change doing 50% change?

Lucy

You can do it by feel or use a thermometer. Try to get the water running out of the fauset about the same temp as your tank.
Also, I don't know if it was mentioned but if you use Prime or Stress Coat+ as your water conditioner they'll detox the ammonia for 24 hrs between changes but still make it available to the beneficial bacteria.

hssea

Hi Lucy. I've got a question. Does stress coat also detox the ammonia like Prime does? Also it in above situation would you just put amt of Prime/Stress coat for the amt of water being added (ie directly in bucket if using that) or for the entire amt of water in the tank. For the entire tank volume wouldn't that eventually cause of overusage of the water conditioner

Lucy

Stress Coat+ is like Prime, not just plain Stress Coat.
I add it for just the amount of water I'm adding not the volume of the tank. Although there was another thread that some members said they added it according to the volum of their tank.

ifixoldhouses

Well I bought a imitation python called "Economy The ultimate Gravel Vac" by Lee's Aquarium products. I read about those water conditioners and it says they remove ammonia, didn't find anything that detoxified it for 24 hours.Could some one post a link to it?

ifixoldhouses

I tested my water today and it's 0 ammonia 0 nitites and 0 nitrates, It couldnt have cycled allready could it? I seeded it today from another aquarium too. I use the python thing and add water conditioner before I refill it. I used aquasafe from tetra.I have alot of plants in it as well, maybe they are eating up the nitrates if there are any.

catfishlover123

Hi and welcome to fishlore!
. I think your tank might still be in the process of cycling, but I really don't know.

ifixoldhouses

Tested again this morning, all 0's, noticed my pump lines are partialy crimped off but it pumps still, I put too thin a hose on it,and its got some charcoal I need to take out.