still in cycle and some more ?'s. UGH

2 shell dwellers are very picky eaters. omega 1 cichlid food gets turned down, flakes...no way, they did eat frozen blood worms but that can't be a steady diet. what to try? I have white sand, and can see the fish waste all over. but since I'm still in cycle I can't vacuum it out. right, because I can't add the water back into the tank with prime. I used tss+ and some rocks from my bigger tank, so testing is out of the question till 2 weeks is up. I feel I jumped the gun on this tank and now I'm trying to play catch up but can't because of the cycling.

 

Honestly although a lot of members really like tss+ , as someone who is a control freak. I feel as if stability is a more friendly bacteria additive for a fish in cycle. As you can change water and still use prime.

 

Can you just use a turkey baster to pick up the waste? How many days in are you with TSS+?

 

Can you just use a turkey baster to pick up the waste? How many days in are you with TSS+?

day 4 but I think the white sand is throwing me off. if it were gravel, I wouldn't see it and wouldn't be worried. baster sounds good.

I didn't know that about stability. sounds much more convenient

 

I have read here that after a week you can add water with Prime to the tank... at least I did to "top off" my tank. I think using a turkey baster is a good idea to help decrease the visual impact on you. You also Can test... they just warn you may have results that are wonky and cause you to take action that will be counter productive...

 

day 4 but I think the white sand is throwing me off. if it were gravel, I wouldn't see it and wouldn't be worried. baster sounds good.

I didn't know that about stability. sounds much more convenient

I'd also try minimizing feeding so there's not as much waste building up. Very lightly once a day or every other day.

 

I have read here that after a week you can add water with Prime to the tank... at least I did to "top off" my tank. I think using a turkey baster is a good idea to help decrease the visual impact on you. You also Can test... they just warn you may have results that are wonky and cause you to take action that will be counter productive...

I used the turkey baster and it looks a lot better. I was worried about the food they weren't eating and the ammonia to follow. should I add prime to a container of water and let it set for a day then add?

I'd also try minimizing feeding so there's not as much waste building up. Very lightly once a day or every other day.

advise I should take!