Beginner, Spec 3 tank, Starting cycle, Jump in and read/laugh/cry/suggest/help

I would try a .5 or .75 ppm dose of ammonia. Let it sit for 48 hours. If your nitrates are above 3 then do a 50% water change and dose another .5 ppm ammonia. I think your nitrites aren't moving much because we keep getting into feast or famine situations. I'd do your best to try and keep nitrites between 1 and 3 in that tank without starving your ammonia for more than 48 hours between doses, you might lose some but you will keep enough of them to start leveling back up with the nitrite converters.

 

Yes, both TSS+ and Seachem Stability have both nitrifying bacteria. I would probably go with Seachem stability so that you can do water changes if you need to while TSS+ is more like a hands off approach with no water changes allowed.

el337, thank you for your reply.

Did not have any Seachem Stability locally, but Petsmart has free shipping on any order online (no minimum) until the end of tomorrow. So I went ahead and bought a bottle, should get it Wednesday. If water stats still wonky, I will do a water change and start on the Stability.

Fingers crossed that I will just have to use it on my next tank

I would try a .5 or .75 ppm dose of ammonia. Let it sit for 48 hours. If your nitrates are above 3 then do a 50% water change and dose another .5 ppm ammonia. I think your nitrites aren't moving much because we keep getting into feast or famine situations. I'd do your best to try and keep nitrites between 1 and 3 in that tank without starving your ammonia for more than 48 hours between doses, you might lose some but you will keep enough of them to start leveling back up with the nitrite converters.

Wraithen, thank you for your reply.

Makes sense about feast/famine, can't hurt, it started out last night as 1ppm of ammonia after I added the ammonia solution.

Here is the current stats
Ammonia = 0.0 (looks a bit shade of green, but not dark enough to be 0.25)
Nitrite = 1.0 (yep, 1... the number I can't keep low)
Nitrate = 10.0

These numbers don't seem to reflect what I have been seeing the past few days...

So, I will check the water tomorrow!

 

Hey, your nitrates went up! That's a good sign that your nitrites are moving. I agree to just wait and test again tomorrow.

 

I would try a .5 or .75 ppm dose of ammonia. Let it sit for 48 hours. If your nitrates are above 3 then do a 50% water change and dose another .5 ppm ammonia. I think your nitrites aren't moving much because we keep getting into feast or famine situations. I'd do your best to try and keep nitrites between 1 and 3 in that tank without starving your ammonia for more than 48 hours between doses, you might lose some but you will keep enough of them to start leveling back up with the nitrite converters.

Wraithen, thank you for your reply.

After doing nothing yesterday (other than testing the water parameters), here is what I have after 48 hours.

Ammonia = 0.0 (same as yesterday)
Nitrite = 0.25 (down from 1.0 yesterday)
Nitrate = 10 or 20 (I can't tell as on my booklet, these colors look exactly the same to me)

So, off to do a 50% water change and .5 ammonia (1 drop) dose. Thanks!

Hey, your nitrates went up! That's a good sign that your nitrites are moving. I agree to just wait and test again tomorrow.

el337, thank you for your reply.

Yes, they went up and the nitrites actually went down! Looking forward to tomorrows water test

 

I don't think you'd need to do a water change since both your ammonia and nitrite are down. I'd just dose your ammonia.

It's looking good!

 

I don't think you'd need to do a water change since both your ammonia and nitrite are down. I'd just dose your ammonia.

It's looking good!

el337, thank you for your reply.

I didn't see your reply until after I did the partial water change.

Wraithen had mentioned to do a water change if my nitrates were 3 or over, they were. From what I understand, doing a water change isn't a bad thing no matter when correct?

Here is tonights water stats, after the 50% water change and the ammonia drops to about .5ppm

Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.25
Nitrate = 5.0 this is either good or my testing solution is broke)

So, unless I read differently, I am going to do another small dose of ammonia tonight and not do a water change???

Also, I am getting green/brown algae on my decor and gravel. I am also getting some stringy things in the tank, look like they are coming off the plant, it appears to be very thin (hair thinkness). I have put a pic below, is this normal or a problem? Do I need to clean it off, or leave?

 

Nitrates at 3? Did you mean 30? Even so, unless your nitrates were getting close to 100, it would've been fine to leave alone. They're not toxic to the bacteria as the ammonia and nitrite which are the ones to keep at a low enough level yet large enough for the bacteria to feed on.

Yes, I'd dose to 1ppm and check in 24 hours.

The brown algae looks like diatoms which is common in new tanks. You can just wipe them off. They'll go away eventually on their own.

The hair algae may be a different story. How long do you keep your tank lights on? Does the tank get any direct sunlight?

 

The hair algae may be a different story. How long do you keep your tank lights on? Does the tank get any direct sunlight?

el337, thank you for your reply.

No direct sunlight, but I keep the lights on during the day while I am gone, so usually 10-12 hours a day.

Too much huh?

 

Yeah, that's most likely the cause. Keep it between 6-8 hours a day. I highly recommend getting a timer if you don't already have one. You can break it up into 2 photo periods 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening so that you can enjoy looking at the tank when you're home.

Remove the hair algae with an unused toothbrush.

 

Current water stats
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrites = 0.0
Nitrates = 5.0 (yep, its either perfect or the solution is stuck at 5)

This is after adding 1 drop (0.5ppm ammonia) last night, didnt see your post about 1 until after left.

Yeah, that's most likely the cause. Keep it between 6-8 hours a day. I highly recommend getting a timer if you don't already have one. You can break it up into 2 photo periods 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening so that you can enjoy looking at the tank when you're home.

Remove the hair algae with an unused toothbrush.

el337, thank you for your reply.

Timer added to tank lights did 3hr/3hr (cheap walmart timer does 2 different times)

I was able to rinse off the brown algae and got most if not all of the hairs, but by the time I did this, I wound up having to replace about 1/3 of the water...

Will put in 1ppm ammonia tonight and check tomorrow, looking good!

I stopped and got a moss ball, and put it in the tank, like the way it looks!

 

Nice, you could be cycled! Yep, do the same tonight. Hopefully, we see the same results tomorrow night.

That's great that you got the timer.. it just makes it easier so you don't have to remember to turn the lights on/off.

You have to show us an updated pic with the moss ball.

 

Nice, you could be cycled! Yep, do the same tonight. Hopefully, we see the same results tomorrow night.

That's great that you got the timer.. it just makes it easier so you don't have to remember to turn the lights on/off.

el337, thank you for your reply.

With the water parameters I had after being away for a few days, I didn't think I would be cycled this soon after.

Last night I put in 1 drop of ammonia, that got the ammonia to 0.5-1.0ppm (was not able to test after).

Here is the water parameters a day later

Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.0
Nitrate = 5.0 (seems stuck, but I will take it)

Tonight I will put in 2 drops of ammonia solution, if it comes back like it did tonight, then it will appear it is cycled and I can get a fish!

You have to show us an updated pic with the moss ball.

Can I ask, with a PH of 8.2-8.4, just so I know my options (yep, I hear cycle and I am starting to think of fish)... what is a fish that will swim around (not sit on bottom) that is small enough for my 3 gallon tank? Or, if I go with shrimp, how many could I get in the tank? Still think I am getting the 1 betta, but is there something smaller?

 

Great! That's a good idea about dosing to 2ppm.

Most fish and inverts do just fine with that pH so I wouldn't worry about it. I think for that tank size, you are limited to just a single betta with some shrimp and/or snails.

 

I would either do 1 betta or a small dwarf shrimp colony. Some of the bright orange or bright yellow ones would look awesome in there.

 

Great! That's a good idea about dosing to 2ppm.

Most fish and inverts do just fine with that pH so I wouldn't worry about it. I think for that tank size, you are limited to just a single betta with some shrimp and/or snails.

el337, thank you for your reply.

Water test today

Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.25
Nitrate = 5.0

Not bad from 2ppm last night, I think it is cycled? Do you agree? If so, I'm getting a fish!

I would either do 1 betta or a small dwarf shrimp colony. Some of the bright orange or bright yellow ones would look awesome in there.

Bithimala, thank you for your reply.

I think I am going to just go with my original plan, get me a Betta.

That's what I had and was really happy till he died, going to get another

Never hurt to ask if there was another fish that would fit the tank though. I am really surprised that it was really that small a choice, as there are many other fish that are out there that are actually smaller than an adult Betta... Just curious, why is that?

 

el337, thank you for your reply.

Water test today

Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.25
Nitrate = 5.0

Not bad from 2ppm last night, I think it is cycled? Do you agree? If so, I'm getting a fish!

That is good though I am really puzzled about those nitrates not climbing higher than 5. Are you sure you're banging and shaking the living daylights out of nitrate bottle #2?

 

That is good though I am really puzzled about those nitrates not climbing higher than 5. Are you sure you're banging and shaking the living daylights out of nitrate bottle #2?

el337, thank you for your reply.

I am banging on the counter for a good 15-20 seconds hard, then shaking it another 30 seconds, then after putting the solution into the test tube, I am shaking it hard for another 90 seconds (30 past the 60 instructed).

I verified that it is not expired, none of the other tests from the same kit are showing anything strange...

I am at a complete loss.

Earlier in this journey, it showed higher nitrate results, so I guess it's correct, I just don't understand why.

Do you think I am good for a single betta, or should I keep testing?

 

Test again in the morning to see if that nitrite zeroes out. You ideally want to see 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in 24 hours after you had dosed 1ppm. Or you could always dose 1ppm again and see what happens tomorrow.

 

Test again in the morning to see if that nitrite zeroes out. You ideally want to see 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in 24 hours after you had dosed 1ppm. Or you could always dose 1ppm again and see what happens tomorrow.

el337, thank you for your reply.

I did not add anything, just tested

Ammonia = 0.0 (it may be a tinge green, but its closer to yellow)
Nitrite = 0.0
Nitrate = 10.0 (I have trouble seeing any difference between 10/20 on my chart)

So... fish time?

 

Very nice! I think so! Congrats

 

Very nice! I think so! Congrats

Wow... almost took a month, started the tank on July 29, today is Aug 25...

There is nothing quick about a cycle, but persistance pays off!

I really appreciate you and the others that have stayed with me the entire journey, if you were close I would buy you all some beers!

I will go shopping tomorrow and put up some pics when I find my new Betta

Quick question, when I do my tank changes, with this small of a tank should I be doing 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%??? Should I use my vacuum and just take out the water or should I "vacuum the gravel" each time? Or will this remove the BB it took so long to build up?

Thanks!

 

Do at least a 90% water change right before you get your betta. You'll want to test for the next few days to make sure you don't get any spikes. If you do, just add Prime to the tank. As for water changes going forward, test right before your weekly water change to see how much water to change out. You want to keep nitrates ideally under 20ppm. However, even if they are already under 20ppm, I would still change out at least 30% minimum. You can rinse your media each week in removed tank water and vacuum your substrate. Doing this won't remove the BB as it lives mostly in your filter media which is why you never want to replace it or rinse it directly in untreated tap water.

Looking forward to pics!

 

i've cyled all four of my tanks using tetra safe start. the trick is to super vigorously shake, shake the out of the bottle before each use. and also use while the aquarium light is off because uv light kills the bacteria.
use it and you will have a cycled, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10-20 nitrate within about 5-8 days.
go to their websites Q&A and readup on exactly how to use it.

 

Congrats on finishing the cycle! Can't wait to see your new baby

 

Do at least a 90% water change right before you get your betta. You'll want to test for the next few days to make sure you don't get any spikes. If you do, just add Prime to the tank. As for water changes going forward, test right before your weekly water change to see how much water to change out. You want to keep nitrates ideally under 20ppm. However, even if they are already under 20ppm, I would still change out at least 30% minimum. You can rinse your media each week in removed tank water and vacuum your substrate. Doing this won't remove the BB as it lives mostly in your filter media which is why you never want to replace it or rinse it directly in untreated tap water.

Looking forward to pics!

el337, thank you for your reply.

I did did a water change when I got in, but on the way in I stopped and found a beautiful blue/black betta and 2 ghost shrimp.

The fish didn't come in a bag, it came in a cup... I tried mixing the tank water into the cup a small bit at a time, while I was doing that, I put the bag the shrimp came in, into the water and once the water was the same temp I put the shrimp in first and then the betta.

I was worried as the first thing the betta did is went over to the shrimp and stared at them (was thinking this was really quick), but he moved on and has not messed with the shrimp anymore.

I put in a couple of shrimp pellets and they sunk to the bottom, the betta went over and grabbed one and spit it right out, the shrimp then had a meal. I put the betta food in (have floating pellets) and over half went into the filter area, the other he didnt eat until they floated down.

Should I switch to flakes? Or get the pellets for the betta the sinks? Or I just need to give him time (probably this)?

Congrats on finishing the cycle! Can't wait to see your new baby

I have not named any of them, I was going to wait a few days and make sure the betta didn't eat the shrimp before I named them. I just have not thought of a name yet.

I was worried that I would not be able to see the shrimp, but I can see them easily. The fish looks great with the darker tank with him being a blue/black combo.




Thanks again everyone!

I will post if there is an issue in a short amount of time, but it looks like this thread is almost at a close. I could not have done it without all of you!

 

Awesome set up! I'd give him a few days of trying the pellets, he did just move into a new home after all

 

The betta and tank look great! Just be careful to pick up any of the uneaten food.

 

Awesome set up! I'd give him a few days of trying the pellets, he did just move into a new home after all

Bithimala, thank you for your reply.

I turned off the water pump when I feed him today, he came straight up and got them off the top. Guess part of feeding is turning off the pump. Guess he liked the food sitting there

The betta and tank look great! Just be careful to pick up any of the uneaten food.

el337, thank you for your reply.

Thanks, I am feeding them very small amounts, but I thought the shrimp basically cleaned up anything left over on the bottom? I don't mind getting the pellets left over after feeding, but thought they might want the extra stuff?

One last set of stats... here is what I got tonight when I came in

Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.0
Nitrate = 10.0 (yep, finally went over the 5.0 mark)

Will keep eye on nitrate and do water change if gets to 20, otherwise I have set Friday nights as my "change the water" night

 

It's okay to leave a little of the food for the shrimp. Just make sure to pick them up the next day if you see any larger bits that are uneaten. Then you can do a thorough gravel vac during your weekly water changes.

 

I swear pets read forums...

Last Friday I was going to clean out the filter pad of the Tetra 3I in my juvenile axolotl tank that is right next to my Fluval III. As I was removing the pad, I realized something was wriggling on the pad... Holding in the desire to chuck the pad, I realized it was one of my amano shrimp! For the first time in 2-3 years, he had jumped and landed in the axolotl tank and then escaped those hungry mouths by hiding in the tiny filter....

He must have read where I said I have not had problems having shrimp jump out of that tank. LOL


BTW, your betta is gorgeous and your tank looks great!