Unfortunately one of my two zebra danios in my ten gallon tank died this morning and was stuck to the filter intake. Does this effect my cycle now because i was about three weeks into the cycle. I had ammonia at .25ppm and the nitrites just went up from 0 to .25ppm. Do i have to go get another fish right away or can i wait a few days without disturbing the bacteria?
Fish died. Does this effect bacteria?
- Thread starter FiShNoObIe88
- Start date
As long as you have some fish in there, producing some ammonia, the cycle will continue. It may take longer, but there is a better chance of the fish surviving.
Ian
Ian
There are a couple of things I probably would have done differently, but at this point I think your best bet is:
Don't add more fish
Monitor ammonia / nitrite / nitrate daily
If you see ammo / nitrite above .25 do a water change to get those levels down
If your ammo falls to 0, start feeding your danio a little bit more to boost its waste generation
Watch for when your ammo and nitrite are 0 and you have some nitrates (at which point you'll be cycled)
Long-term, danios like to be in schools and are super active, so they're not the best choice for a 10g -- you might want to consider returning the danio to your LFS and maybe getting a less active schooler....
Good luck!
Don't add more fish
Monitor ammonia / nitrite / nitrate daily
If you see ammo / nitrite above .25 do a water change to get those levels down
If your ammo falls to 0, start feeding your danio a little bit more to boost its waste generation
Watch for when your ammo and nitrite are 0 and you have some nitrates (at which point you'll be cycled)
Long-term, danios like to be in schools and are super active, so they're not the best choice for a 10g -- you might want to consider returning the danio to your LFS and maybe getting a less active schooler....
Good luck!
so whats a good choice for a 10g because now i only have one danio in a 10g. Im thinking i should have at least two fish in there for cycling purposes.
I really don't think having 2 fish over 1 will make a big difference regarding cycling. If you find that your ammonia levels are getting too low you can always just over feed a tiny bit -- the uneaten food will rot and produce ammonia.
For stocking, I would suggest searching on this forum for "stocking 10g" and also doing the same on google -- many options available: smaller corydoras, neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, a betta, snails, shrimp, etc.
For stocking, I would suggest searching on this forum for "stocking 10g" and also doing the same on google -- many options available: smaller corydoras, neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, a betta, snails, shrimp, etc.
Less fish, the ammonia builds up slower. Means there is a better chance that the cycle will start before the ammonia level gets dangerous.
After a few weeks you should have some level of cycle in there, even if it only matches one danio. However it's then safe to add a couple more fish and the cycle bacteria will quickly multiply to take up the excess.
Ian
After a few weeks you should have some level of cycle in there, even if it only matches one danio. However it's then safe to add a couple more fish and the cycle bacteria will quickly multiply to take up the excess.
Ian
It won't hurt the cycle. I would either continue cycling with the danio then give him back when you're done or give him back now and do a fishless cycle. Then, you can have a lot more options for 10 gallon stocking. Remember to stock slow though so your bio filter can keep up.
so your saying i shouldn't have danios in a 10g? What else can i get because i think the neon tetras are going to be too small because my filter intake has large openings it is the aquaclear 20 and i heard those can easily be sucked up the filter
If you're worried about the tetras getting sucked into the filter you can just cover it up with small netting or foam of some sort. I think danios can live in a ten gallon, but they'd definitely be happier in a tank with more room. I'd go with small types of tetras, pygmy cories, betta, invertebrates.