Okay....however, after adding decorations and almost three inches of substrate in the tank, I added a little less than 15 gallons of actual water. So, should I change out 10 gallons of water or 50% of the 15 gallons? Also, I have a 5 gallon bucket, not a 3 gallon, so it would be easier to take out 10 gallons vs. 9 gallons.
stocking
- Thread starter Tetar
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Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Thanks Tiff, Exactly what I meant.
So the tank only has about 15 total gal of water? I would still try for about 50%, give or take a little.
Oh, yeah....oops!
Thanks Tiff, Exactly what I meant.
So the tank only has about 15 total gal of water? I would still try for about 50%, give or take a little.
Okay, then! Question: When I'm taking out the 9ish gallons of water, do I need to unplug my heater and then wait 15 minutes before I take out the water?
Also, I think my heater may be messed up. The water evaporated in my tank a lot, and the water level went down an inch before I put more water in. It was an inch below the minimum water line. It's been working fine, but I wanted to turn up the heat a little more for the cycle, so I set it at 86 degrees.....but it's stayed at 82, which was where the temperature previously was. I turned up the heat 18 hours ago (around) so it should have warmed up! Do I need to buy a new heater? (My heater is 100 watts...is that powerful enough? The room temperature usually is from 68-66 degrees however...)
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
Why are you wanting your tank higher than 82 degrees? Thats on the high end for all the fish I can think of that would do well in a 20 gallon tank. . .
Oh, there isn't any fish in the tank yet! I'm cycling my tank and I heard that cycling goes faster when the water is very warm.
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
I'm aware the tank has no fish in it yet . The thing is, bacteria are sensitive to shifts in temperature. If you cycle at 86 you'll get bacteria that like 86 degrees and then you'll kill them off and have another cycle when you lower the temperature. Granted you won't kill them all off, but you won't have a full load of BB when you start to add fish and will get ammonia spikes and mini cycles. You're much better off cycling the tank at the temperature you want for the fish you're going to get. Regardless of temperature cycling will take as long as it does. For some people its a 4-6 weeks, less sometimes if you get a seeded filter. For others its 3 to 4 months and I have some friends who were trying to cycle a tank for 8 months and just gave up and did a fish in cycle.
. The thing is, bacteria are sensitive to shifts in temperature. If you cycle at 86 you'll get bacteria that like 86 degrees and then you'll kill them off and have another cycle when you lower the temperature. Granted you won't kill them all off, but you won't have a full load of BB when you start to add fish and will get ammonia spikes and mini cycles. You're much better off cycling the tank at the temperature you want for the fish you're going to get. Regardless of temperature cycling will take as long as it does. For some people its a 4-6 weeks, less sometimes if you get a seeded filter. For others its 3 to 4 months and I have some friends who were trying to cycle a tank for 8 months and just gave up and did a fish in cycle.Oh, I've never thought about that! I'll lower my temperature then. I'm guessing the temperature should be 75-77 degrees. Would that sound about right?I'm aware the tank has no fish in it yet
tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
