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May 17th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| My first time cycling tank. =X
Tank cycle started May 15 `09. 1st Weekend, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, pH 8.0 after putting in Tetra Aqua Safe. using a aquaclear 70/300 w/ DIY plastic cup to reduce waterflow ( http://www.instructables.com/id/How_...ter_with_Just/) 
Filter will be replaced by penguin 150 B soon(waiting on shipment orders)  . Also coming soon: eco complete, flourescent hood (20w?), visi-therm 100w heater. tetra air whisper. Man o man, I am stoked. Hopefully I am not doing anything wrong for my first time. 
Last edited by eiginh; May 17th, 2009 at 11:23 PM.
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Good morning. Looks like a wonderful tank for your to play with. What are you using to cycle with? Did you seed the tank with filter media from your 40 gallon? | 
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
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I am using a Tetra AquaSafe to cycle the tank, the bottle states I can add fish as soon as I put that in but I've also read you have to use Tetra SafeStart to really speed up the cycling process(to add fish asap), I'm not willing to take any chances. Yes I seeded the filter from the 40 gallon. I cannot wait to get my shipment from petsolutions.  | |
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Thank you
I'm using algae wafer, replacing it every couple of days to build some readings. I was looking for SafeStart but it's impossible to find! Safestart used to be Bio-Spira then renamed it after they solved the issue of not having it refrigerated right? Since I couldn't find Safestart I thought about buying turbo 700 or fritz-zyme #7 from fritzpet but the product is expensive and so is shipping! but I read the reviews and it worked like magic.
I need to master my patience lol... | |
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh  I need to master my patience lol... | my dad used to tell me I wanted things done yesterday if not sooner... you'd be surprised how much patience this hobby can teach you, just bc things do sometimes take a while. I've been 'working on' getting 3 tanks set up/cycled for about a month now, and they still won't be fish-ready for another two weeks - at least. Yeah, I'd really like it to go faster, but there's something intriguing about the process in its own right, actually. | |
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I'm thinking about exchanging the AquaSafe for Prime. Reason is that I thought AquaSafe would be the same as SafeStart I also read Prime is a favorite and stated it speeds up the cycle faster. Would this be okay even though I used AquaSafe already(used only 10ml once)? | |
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May 18th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| It'll be perfectly ok as you currently don't have fish in the tank; if you did it would be better to get them used to the change in chemicals slowly.
Prime is a favourite, no dispute. I like it bc it's effective and super easy to manage the dosing - 2 drops per gallon. I find many water conditioners have a dose like '5 mL per 100g' or something like that...when I do wc's it's on a scale of 5g or less, I don't want to be fiddling with fractions of millilitres. It also ends up being more cost effective as you're not using too much. I bought the little bottle with the dropper cap, and then a larger bottle without, which I just use to keep filling up the little bottle which sits beside the sink.
Prime does NOT speed up the cycle, as it doesn't add any bacteria. People like using it during cycling if they happen to end up cycling with fish for one reason or another, as Prime makes the ammonia nontoxic to the fish for 24 hours (until the next wc) but still available for the biofilter, so it's a good way to get through the cycle without giving the fish ammonia poisoning.
It's hard to be patient when you're waiting for a tank to cycle. Maybe increasing the amount of ammonia in the tank? say by using liquid ammonia (any kind of fish food will release phosphates, which may contribute to algae problems). My cycling tanks are currently at 8 PPM, and I expect the whole process to take about 3 weeks (based on past experience). I also just cleaned up my canister filter, including swapping out a filter pad, which I then cut up and distributed among the cycling tanks. Any addition of good bacteria will help! | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
|  impatience is in my shadows... 
I decided to check out Allan's aquarium in Venice after work to look for SafeStart. While looking for SafeStart I came upon SuperBac Aquarium which is similar to SafeStart(hopefully it does the trick). One of the LFS I visited over the weekend told me they used it right before adding fish into their newly built two 4 level acrylic tank. I also bought a 9 lbs drift wood for $12 *good deal?* Though it might be too big for my tank. Pic coming soon. | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Make sure with the SuperBac to 'test' it afterwards before adding fish, by adding an ammonia source and then seeing how long it takes to process the ammonia to nitrates. Just to be on the safe side. My Experience with Superbac Nitrifying Bacteria | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I was reading that last night, thanks for posting the link here.
Because MissMTS(Kate) used it only to help a minicycle, I am thinking of dumping the old water and putting new water to start the whole thing over or should I continue with the same batch since I just started cycling last Friday?
*NOTE: I am noob* | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh I was reading that last night, thanks for posting the link here.
Because MissMTS(Kate) used it only to help a minicycle, I am thinking of dumping the old water and putting new water to start the whole thing over or should I continue with the same batch since I just started cycling last Friday?
*NOTE: I am noob* | I have zero familiarity with SuperBac, so I can't advise there, but I'd suggest maybe PM Kate and ask for her recommendation (and how that tank is currently doing?) | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I can't yet. I'll probably post on her thread. Thanks for the tip! | |
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May 19th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh I can't yet. I'll probably post on her thread. Thanks for the tip! | You can after you have 50 posts - looks like atm you've got 48 You could also leave a visitor message on her profile. | |
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May 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Yes, slowly getting there. This is really awkward, I just tested the water parameters and I got 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 8.5 ph. I did not even use the SuperBac Aquarium yet. I would test for nitrate but I don't have one, I should of bought it when I bought prime today(have not used). Does this mean it is cycled?
(I am using Tetratest Laborett master kit)
Last edited by eiginh; May 20th, 2009 at 12:31 AM.
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May 20th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| The test results suggest it's cycled, but it can also mean it never did cycle - I'd suggest confirming via the presence of nitrates AND test it by adding some ammonia (and get a reading on an ammonia test) then testing again later and verifying that the ammonia has dropped to zero, nitrites have come and gone and you have nitrates.
My only concern with the algae tabs is that they're primarily plant material and MAY not be providing enough ammonia to feed the cycle (or, they ARE and you are cycled and all is well, just verifying). Have you gotten an ammonia reading after adding them? | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I feel really stupid now that I did not even think about testing when the algae wafer was in there. I only tested as soon as I took it out. While cleaning it last night.
I think there was a live snail in my gravel tube b/c I see him on the intake of my filter crawling up. That is the only possible reason he got in there, unless he was stuck on a super dry drift wood that I bought from the store on Monday. I'm surprised the snails alive since my dad cleaned it over the weekend. Sign of first life.
Back to the subject. I just tested the water maybe about 20 min before adding shrimp pellets in. Readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites. I will test again in an hour.
*1 1/2 hour later* 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite. Will test again tomorrow.
Please give better suggestions to add ammonia. (I feel like I'm juggling around )
Thank you.
Last edited by eiginh; May 21st, 2009 at 01:56 AM.
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh Please give better suggestions to add ammonia. | Can you get hold of some liquid ammonia (without any sudsing agents added)? or even a piece of raw shrimp? | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I'll see if there is ammonia around if not I can just go to the LFS or a market and they should have it. I live across a street from a big super market hopefully they'll have it. If not I can just buy a piece of fresh raw shrimp from there.
Anywho since it's a long weekend. I don't mind starting from scratch again while I wait for the supplies tomorrow. I'll also start a new log using SuperBac with everything fresh in the tank. I'll also give MissMTS a heads up. If I do go this way, is it okay to use eco-complete as my first substrate? | |
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May 21st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh I'll see if there is ammonia around if not I can just go to the LFS or a market and they should have it. I live across a street from a big super market hopefully they'll have it. If not I can just buy a piece of fresh raw shrimp from there.
Anywho since it's a long weekend. I don't mind starting from scratch again while I wait for the supplies tomorrow. I'll also start a new log using SuperBac with everything fresh in the tank. I'll also give MissMTS a heads up. If I do go this way, is it okay to use eco-complete as my first substrate? | Ecocomplete - don't see why not? I haven't used it personally, but I see no reason why you couldn't have it in your tank while it cycles.
Cycling log - excellent idea. It will be very helpful for other members that may be considering using SuperBac.
Ammonia - make sure it's the kind with absolutely no sudsing agents. Surprisingly hard to find! If it doesn't list the ingredients you'll have to shake the jug to see if bubbles form. Mine came from the cleaning aisle. The actual concentration doesn't matter, you can account for that when you figure out how much to put in your tank.
I know this probably hasn't been 'fun'...but when you've finally got it all up and running, and aquascaped and full of fish... wow will it be worth it! (yeah I didn't believe ppl when they told me that...but they were right!)  | |
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May 22nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I didn't have time last night to buy ammonia and I was really disappointed the Lakers lost. Good thing I didn't watch the game.
The learning experience is pretty fun, I see this as the foundation of being a fish hobbyist. I am sticking to my second option and going to start new. I tested my tap water last night and the ammonia is pretty high, a good source of ammonia haha. Hopefully by the time I get home the UPS has already dropped of my package. I can't wait to get home!  | |
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May 22nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Yikes - there's ammonia in your water straight from the tap?! that will be a concern with water changes in the future, you don't want to be ADDING ammonia to a tank with fish in it. Maybe RO or bottled water for that? | |
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May 22nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Wouldn't the bacteria and prime help out with ammonia for future water changes? | |
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May 22nd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh Wouldn't the bacteria and prime help out with ammonia for future water changes? | If it's low enough, once things are established it should get processed fairly quickly, or so I've read. If it's higher than .25ppm you might want to consider other options, but that's just my opinion.
As far as finding pure ammonia I just wanted to suggest trying a dollar store. I hunted for it, two grocery stores, and a hardware store; and was unable to find any. But on a whim I went to a local dollar store, and there it was, lol. Everywhere else I went it wasn't pure. | |
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May 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Restarted Tank
Cloudy tank from eco complete. I can't even find the background . I removed carbon filter and added Prime through the filter and tested about an hour later the readings are 1.5 ammonia, 0 nitrite.
Last edited by eiginh; May 23rd, 2009 at 04:06 PM.
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May 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Nice piece of driftwood. Looks like its leaching some tannins eh? Mine did that too so I boiled it about 11 times in a row and now it doesn't do anything. By the way that Penguin filter you are getting...I have it...it's awesome. You won't need that cup diversion thingie anymore trust me. There are dual intakes on it, one at mid-level and one about at the bottom. The circulation that filter produces is spectacular. | |
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May 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Thank you, lol yes the water was basically pond water. I did not boil before putting it in. When I restarted the tank I decided to put in the 40 gallon since it was too big. I bought another driftwood which was about 7 lbs for $6. I can't believe other fish stores would sell double that price for the same size. It's still in the pot cooling down now. I tried using the extension tube but my 10 gallon is not deep enough but even without the intake it is almost in the middle. | |
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May 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I finally added SuperBac and added the Corydoras that were hanging out for a bit with the bigger boys in the 40g. They seem like they're enjoying their new home. =D
Last edited by eiginh; May 25th, 2009 at 07:07 PM.
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May 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| New Plants
Cryptocoryne Wendtii & Amazon Sword
Is it bad to test water right after putting in food?
I just tested it and I got:
Ammonia 1.5
Nitrite .3 | |
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May 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Nice looking plants! I have similar crypts, they do really well.
Not sure about the food, as I haven't cycled with food...I'd think it would be better to allow it to dissolve and/or rot a bit, that IMO is where the ammonia comes from. Maybe test again a few hours/a day after you put in the food, see if your ammonia levels actually go UP.
You've got nitrites, you're well on your way - almost there!  | |
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