Questions I have for my new tank

Community,

I have a few questions I need answered as soon as possible!

1st question) With API quick start, and cycling a new tank with fish inside, should I be adding API quickstart daily, or is that only a one time deal?
2nd question) When cycling out 15% of the water I only need to do this when the ammonia levels rise, correct? And with this, do I need to add conditioner to the new water? Currently I have been only adding in dechlorinator.
3rd question) Should I be adding any thing like a Stabilizer or anything like that?
4th Question) When my ammonia levels do go up, since the bacteria isn't setup yet, should I simply cycle or a use a conditioner to lower the ammonia levels?


I have overheard folks talking about adding "Prime" every day and other stuff daily... IS there something I am missing?

 

I've never used it but I imagine you wouldn't want to do water changes for a while...If you do the water changes, than you are removing what the cycle needs to continue. Once you add it, don't add anything else unless you know your tank isn't beginning it's cycle. from what i've read the API quick start is much less reliable than other products. I've used both Tetra Safe Start, which there's a detailed forum post on, and Dr. Tim's one & only.

You shouldn't ever need to add prime, which is a dechlorinator and neutralizes ammonia and nitrites until the cycle can process them. I only add prime after a water change. My tap water has ammonia so if I still see ammonia a day after a water change, I'll add another dose of prime - but never daily.

 

You shouldn't ever need to add prime, which is a dechlorinator and neutralizes ammonia and nitrites until the cycle can process them. I only add prime after a water change. My tap water has ammonia so if I still see ammonia a day after a water change, I'll add another dose of prime - but never daily.

I'm confused by the contradiction. You mentioned never to use Prime, but then mention it neutralized ammonia and nitrites.... and being it's a new tank and hasn't completed it's cycle, I will probably have to use a Prime to remove that stuff, correct? Will it also hurt the tank if I add a small dose of Quick Start every few days just as a little boost?

 

It's my understanding that with any of he starter products that you don't do water changes or add prime. The bacteria that's forming need the ammonia as food. If you use prime than your taking away the food source. If you do a am water change, you're doing the same thing. I know that with tetra safe start its 10 days after starting until a WC

 

It's my understanding that with any of he starter products that you don't do water changes or add prime. The bacteria that's forming need the ammonia as food. If you use prime than your taking away the food source. If you do a am water change, you're doing the same thing. I know that with tetra safe start its 10 days after starting until a WC

Well for my 5 gallon tank, I have 5 fish in there (max cap) and getting readings of 0 ppm for ammonia still.... The bacteria needs to start but I am not getting ammonia at all! It's been like 5 days!

 

Well for my 5 gallon tank, I have 5 fish in there (max cap) and getting readings of 0 ppm for ammonia still.... The bacteria needs to start but I am not getting ammonia at all! It's been like 5 days!

That's surprising considering your tank is likely overstocked.

 

That's surprising considering your tank is likely overstocked.

Yeah it's a definite YELLOW indication which means 0 ppm... it has been like that for days.... same with Nitrite and Nitrate... How is it possible that there is just zero ammonia? They fish are pooping and all that.. Also, is it okay to add some aquarium salt for fish health BEFORE the bacteria has been established?

 

Why do you need to add salt? I wouldn't, and it can do more harm than good.

 

Why do you need to add salt? I wouldn't, and it can do more harm than good.

Well I was told a very small amount of salt helps improve the health of the fish...

 

I don't believe in using salt. They are called FRESHwater fish for a reason. However, I think salt can be used as a medicine to treat certain specific illnesses. And salt doesn't evaporate, so has to be removed with water changes.

 

When you test the ammonia and nitrates there are 2 bottles each that you need to add drops from. and make sure you're shaking them REALLY well....