Cycling Problems

[sigmatauntaylor]

Hi,
I have a 10g tank that is 15 days into cycling. I have 1 red wag platy and 3 black mollies. Unfortunately I still am getting dangerous ammonia readings! Any ideas? I have plenty of decorations, gravel, and plants for bacteria to adhere to. I am also starting to get nitrite and nitrate readings. Any help would be very appreciated thanks!

[Grassguy]

Water changes! This takes a little while, but if you're starting to get nitrite readings, your on your way. Hang in there, and do daily water changes.

[DEmigh]

Ditto Grassguy's advice; and keep 'em on short rations.

[sigmatauntaylor]

Thanks a lot, will do!

Any suggestions on tankmates after the cycle is over? I was thinking about the following (not all just choices of course)
pygmy corydoras,
betta splendas,
african dwarf frogs,
any suggetions that would contrast well with my red/black theme?
Also, would freshwater clams help out?

Thanks a lot!

[aquariumfishguy]

Don't stick to one "theme" or two colors for that matter...it will limit you and make for a boring tank. Instead, get a mixture of platies (to add on to the one you have), and maybe get some cories, and a swortail pair. When it comes to livebearers, there are MANY choices! :D

Here is a good selection:

*3 Platies (of any kind, I like the rainbows)
*2-3 Mollies (the black ones do look nice!)
*Pineapple Swortail (one pair)
*3-4 Cories

That would be a good selection bearing in mind weekly water changes of 30-40% are needed, as well as regular gravel vacuums 2 or so times a month.

I wouldn't add ADF's. I like these frogs, but I don't personally keep them with fish. They look too natural and cool looking to keep with anything but themselfs IMO! :p

[JSchmidt]

Just be sure to add them only a couple at a time, a couple of weeks apart. Your biofilter is only large enough to support the current fishload. If you add more fish, you'll have a mini-spike as the biofilter grows to accommodate the extra ammonia put out by the new fish.

Jim

[sigmatauntaylor]

Thanks for the ideas!
I think i'll start with 3 pygmy cories as my next addition and then go with the platies, I was wondering if my wag was getting lonely but him and the mollies seem to hang out together :D I will remember the frequent water changes it'as kinda fun vacuuming anyways