tremod

I have a new 30g just cycled tank and still don't know what to put in it. I was thinking school fish like harlequin rasboras,cherry barbs, Neon tetras,a small pleco or two.

Anyone Got any ides? Please help im new to this and want a peaceful community.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to give you a bit of advice..the product cycle will NOT cycle the tank properly as the bacteria in it, isnt aquatic and will die as soon as you stop using it.....adding fish with those readings , which can be totally false by using this product, could end up in a mess especially where the tank is only a few days old...

what did you use for an ammonia source? or did you just use the product cycle?

tremod

I used cycling producy Nutrafin cycle the declorinator.
Then i waited about 6 days and testing everyday and they look good.
But as i said i am new.

Tank conditons:
ammonia: 0ppm.
nitrite: 0ppm.
nitrate: 0ppm.
pH:7.8.
Temp:76f.

Shawnie

yes with using those products, it gives you a false reading unfortunately ......we all started new and allot of us have been where you are....

heres some ways you can properly cycle it so you wont have major issues when you add fish .... Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling

I would start over and use one of those methods ...good luck either way you decide

Meenu

I agree with Shawnie. Since that product does not really cycle your tank, I believe it is not truly cycled. My suggestion would be to read the link in my signature - it explains ways to cycle without fish in the tank.

tremod

Thanks guys I read all that before i started i used gravel form an established tank. A friend gave it to me because he was moving and might not be able to take his 180g tank so i took the gravel.

I still used the cycle stuff would this have made things worse or will the gravel still do the job.

Shawnie

the gravel will help it along but the bacteria in the gravel still needs an ammonia source to feed it....the cycle product will take over the established bacteria and id say you have to start over but cycling fishless will be faster and much more safe to the fish

tremod

Disaster who said it was easy. Thanks for the help though.

Shawnie

nothing is easy in life ..not even fish keeping LOL ..but it can be once things are cycled and you are able to relax!! its the starting thats ..but at least you are doing your homework first instead of looking for help with dead fish right? GREAT job cycling fishless!

mosin360

Fish may be small but they'll bring you to your knees. Stick with it!

rae64

Welcome to Fishlore!!!

Great advice above!
You may want to check into a product called Tetra Safe Start, as it is the only product on the market that actually contains the right bacteria for cycling an aquarium. It is a little hard to find, and lots of people do not have a fish store that carries it. It is also a little pricey, but IMO worth it! It cycled my 29 gallon tank in week. If you cannot find it at the LFS, you can get it over the internet. I'm not sure if it is available for purchase in ireland, though. If you do a search for it on the forum, there is a bunch of information on how to use it. Here is a link also Q & A With Tetra about Tetra SafeStart

potatos

when it is cycled though, you could add in maybe a dwarf or pearl gourami, they are lovely. do NOT get a common pleco, the get huge, way too big for your tank. you could get a school of ottocinclus, or maybe a smaller variety of pleco, like the bristle nosed pleco.

tremod

Right i now no to get rid of cycle stuff you need to put fish in within days I thought it would be fishless and all done in 3 days. Going to start again with the fishless cycle better off.

The fish we decided on today are
5 female cherry barbs.
1 male cherry barb.
1 bristlenose pleco.
2 female pearl gouramis.

How does that sound more or less.
Oh only after i do the fishless cycle of course.

Meenu

I agree that you are better off doing a fishless cycle. The product that Rae mentioned, Tetra Safe Start, actually has the correct bacteria, and can help your tank cycle (it's the only product that I know of on the market), but it isn't readily available. Most members who have tried it have had luck, but some haven't.

It's recommended for use with fish, and I often will suggest it to those who already have fish in their tanks. However, since you are willing to do a fishless cycle, and it is the only method guaranteed to harm NO fish, I say stick with it. We'll cheer you on.

tremod

Ok i took all the water out and started again that was day after my first post.
I managed to get filter media of my friend Along with the gravel he gave me so that was good.So i added the declorinated water put the media in with the filter.

Ok so here my readings now:
Ammonia spiked at 2.0 then dropped to 0ppm about 6 days.
Nitrites kicked in as the amm dropped and spiked at at 1.50 now at 0.25ppm.
Nitrates : holding steady between 5 and 10 PPM.
Ph is 7.6 from the tap.

My question is this is 16 days is that normal and will the nitrites drop to 0pp.
I must be nearly there with those readings no?

Meenu

It can take a month or even longer to cycle. You have an advantage since you were able to get some established media. Hang in there.

tremod

Thats good to hear.
In your experience once the nitrites start dropping will they keep dropping.
Thanks for all your help.

Meenu

I'm sorry, I didn't cycle like that, so I don't have any experience in this. My answer was based on what I have read through research and reading this forum. Hopefully someone who has cycled like this will answer your question shortly.

tremod

Cheers thanks again for your much needed help