keeping tropical and cold water fish.

covlass

Here is a front view
I have added ammonia this morning will test again tonight when should I next do a % water change as the tank is now 10 days old and I have done 1 25% water change which was on day 4

calella

Hi Covlass
Its been a long time since I cycled my tank, but I dont actually remember doing any changes until the bacteria start growing and ammonia starts to get eaten ? I seem to remember just doing a large water change at the end (50%?) and then popping the fish in? I could be totally wrong though - so its best to wait until someone more knowledgable comes along!
Calella
ps - love the tank!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

covlass wrote: »

Here is a front view
I have added ammonia this morning will test again tonight when should I next do a % water change as the tank is now 10 days old and I have done 1 25% water change which was on day 4

is the water smelling and looking green if no not really needed, to do a water change, if you do a water change youll take a % of ammonia out, time to be patient now, just relax your doing ok, just let that filter do its thing now and bacteria build up, its had 10+days of running with food cycling,now you need to put slight load on it with the ammonia in order for the bacteria to multiply. have you increased the water temp?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

calella wrote: »

Hi Covlass
Its been a long time since I cycled my tank, but I dont actually remember doing any changes until the bacteria start growing and ammonia starts to get eaten ? I seem to remember just doing a large water change at the end (50%?) and then popping the fish in? I could be totally wrong though - so its best to wait until someone more knowledgable comes along!
Calella
ps - love the tank!

yes covlas could do this change 12-24hours before adding fish but untill then just keep going with what water you have in there

covlass

Hi all
Added ammonia got a reading of what looks like between 2-4, 3 days later and the reading is the same no change at all. I have increased the water temp currently at 30, water is clear

atrixblue.-MFR-.

covlass wrote: »

Hi all
Added ammonia got a reading of what looks like between 2-4, 3 days later and the reading is the same no change at all. I have increased the water temp currently at 30, water is clear

dont add anymore ammonia now till the filter has time to process whats in there, just do routine tests to monitor the level, its quite common to have that reading for days, and no water changes, just let the filter build up good bacteria. as soon as that ammonia has been processed just add a little more,2-3 drops and again just monitor the levels they should come down slightly more quicker. you may want to ask your LFS (local fish supplier) if they can provide you with some established media like a fish bag half of gravel or a fish bag of established filter excrement from one of their tanks just to help things allong either way it will all help you in you bid to cycle that tank. if they give you gravel just put it and and if they give you filter excrement the water will be dirty looking like cocoa powder in water, thats good stuff and just tip it in right next to your filter.

i wish i could help you out with some but you live a long way from me.

covlass

Thank you so much i just wanted to make sure i am heading in the right direction as it has been 2 weeks now and i dont want to go backwards in anyway. i feel a bit thick as no matter how many times I red about cycling the tank it is still not clicking in my head and thats why I am still unsure.

Again many thanks for your help

atrixblue.-MFR-.

covlass wrote: »

Thank you so much i just wanted to make sure i am heading in the right direction as it has been 2 weeks now and i dont want to go backwards in anyway. i feel a bit thick as no matter how many times I red about cycling the tank it is still not clicking in my head and thats why I am still unsure.

Again many thanks for your help

thats what were here for! i started out all wrong so what my experience has given me i can help you avoid if that makes sense :rotfl:. i still suggest in helping things along you get some established filter media, do any your friends have a tropical or coldwater tank thats 6 month or older? all youd need is a bit of their water and ask them to squeeze the good bacteria pad from their filter into it, it wont affect their media at all. either that see if LFS are willing to help should do if it means custom for him/her from you in future!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

http://www.covaquatics.co.uk/category/community/ this is near you as previously said, contact them they seem helpfull from their website so may be willing to help you with some established media, if not will now who can.
just to help you understand what i mean by the squeezing method i found an accurate and understanable post for you to follow.

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/338658-using-mature-filter-media/

pug_in_a_bed

Hello, I'm a bit new to keeping fish but have been given a cold water tank; froglet has been very helpful so far on my other thread.

Anyway, the filter with the tank is no longer blowing bubbles out visibly and I can't seem to get it going. Fairly sure its this one here or very similar.

Fish seem ok, no gasping or swimming up top to get some air.

Any tips for getting it going or recommendations for an internal filter? Tank is 72l.

Please excuse me, very new at largish tanks