Finishing Cycle+Many Questions

[tenlientl]

My tank is 20 gallon.

I believe i'm about to finish my cycle. It's been 7-8 days since I started. I used the "seeding" method. I got 2 apple sized rocks plus 1/2 cup of water(lol) from a previous tank. I also add 10 white clouds(second day of cycling although one fish died 3 days ago). I don't know if it's really finished or close to, but I believe it is as the Ammonia is 0.1, the Nitrite is 0, so as the nitrate. The ph is 7.2 so I think I should fix that since I'm going for a guppy/plant tanks with a few other community fish.

My first question is that I'm planning on changing 1 gallon of water every other day(except monday and tuesday). Is this as good as changing 20% of the water every week?

Also, one of my White Cloud has half of the tail gone. I don't know how, but I believe it was bitten off by a tank mate(they're all white clouds). I see 1 fish chasing another when I look sometimes(I didn't notice which fish). Anyways, there's a 1 1/4 inch White Cloud in there, the fish with the half tail is 3/4 inch and skinny. Was it bullied? I don't know what to do with this. Should I flush it down the toilet?

Also, since I believe my cycle is done, do you think it's a good idea to buy a few guppies or should wait a week and make sure the cycle is finish? I'm actually going to add plants first before guppies, lol.

[tel0004]

Your question about changing a gallon every other day vrs 4 gallons (20%) a week. Its really about the same amount you are changing. With the one gallon every other day, you are changing some of the water that is only 2 days old. Do whatever you find to be the easiest or most convient. As far at the cycling goes, it sounds like you may be done, but I dont see how the nitrate can be 0 unless you did a massive water change, like 75% or something recently. Maybe somebody else can answer your question that knows more than I do, but it sounds like one of the readings may be wrong.

[RTR]

Your cycle is done when you have zero/undetectable ammonia and nitrite, and positive nitrate. I don't think that you are done yet.

No, your projected change schedule of alternate day small volume changes does not equate to one larger change weekly. Assuming the 20 to hold 20 gallons (it does not), 20% is 4 gallons. Removing that at once and replacing with fresh water leaves 80% of the original water present. The alternate, removing and replacing one gallon on Wednesday leaves 95% of the original water present. Repeat on Friday and have 95% x 95% = 90% of the original water present. Repeat on Sunday and have 95% x 90.25% = 86% (85.57%) of the original water present after 7 days. Compare to the 80% from one larger partial on the seventh day.

Besides, while doing arbirtary percentage changes is certainly better than nothing, but may not be sufficient without comparing pH, KH, and nitrate levels to the originals. If pH and KH drift downward over time, and nitrate drifts up over time, your changes are not sufficient.

HTH

[sdb]

Do not flush that fish down the toilet!!
Just because it has half it's tail chewed off doesn't mean it deserves a horrible death. Tail fins grow back. It's probably been harrassed by another fish. Make sure you have lots of hiding spots for it. The tank is new, so a pecking order is probably happening.
When I brought home my neon tetras, by the next day not one had tail fins left (I didn't know then that serpae tetras were fin nippers). I provided lots of hiding spots. Eventually everyone got along. The fish co-mingle easily, all the fins grew back, and the serpaes keep their nipping to themselves. :)

[tenlientl]

Thanks RTR. I was thinking about that too, the way U had all those math equations, lol. Anyways, yea. I'm still going to wait a week to see if the cycle is really done. However, I might just bring water to a LFS for them to do it professionally(lol) since my test kit may be old(1-2 years). I could check if there's an expiery date but I'm typing right now. I'm using the Hagen Master Test Kit. Anyways, does anyone know if they're good/accurate. I'm thinking of buying one for $49 next month to make sure the chemicals are new and good.

Also, may someone answer my fish/tail question. I'm very worried.

Also, if that Hagen Master Test Kit is good, should I go get that for $49 or those seperate ones?

[ArkyLady]

I believe i'm about to finish my cycle. It's been 7-8 days since I started. I used the "seeding" method ... I don't know if it's really finished or close to, but I believe it is as the Ammonia is 0.1, the Nitrite is 0, so as the nitrate.

I doubt your cycle is finished yet. You should be seeing 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and at least some nitrates before it will be completed. Even with seeding the tank, it could take several weeks for it to finish it's cycle.


The ph is 7.2 so I think I should fix that since I'm going for a guppy/plant tanks with a few other community fish.

You don't need to "fix" your pH, 7.2 is perfectly acceptable. Using chemicals to adjust your pH is asking for trouble. A stable pH that isn't "perfect" is far better than one that's floating up and down. pH changes can kill your fish and quickly.

[tenlientl]

Thanks all. But I bring bad news. The fish that had its tail half gone is missing. It's probably in the filter :( I'll take care of this later. I have to go to school.

[Hans]

what happens down the toillet? does it go to the river or what

[sdb]

OK, whatever, Hans. :rolleyes: