I purchased a 40 gallon Eclipse and a Fluval 404 (older version, 1/2 price)on June 1st, from a local fish store. The owner, who has been in business for over 10 years told me I could put in as many fish as I liked after the the initial set-up.
Another fish store owner, who I bought the stand from, said I could put in fish as well. He did mention the "new tank cycle" and to buy hearty fish. He also said "do not" change the water for 4-6 weeks until the tank completed the cycle. He said the ammonia levels will go sky high...off the charts. He said dodo notorry about testing. Some fish will die, it's part of the cycle.
Petsmart, where I purchased some miscellaneous accessories from, said to wait 5 days before putting in fish. They did not mention the cycle.
As a result, I waited 2 days after putting water in the tank and bought fish, lots of fish: 2 4" gold severums, 2 baby green severums, one angel fish, 3 tetra skirts, and 5 neons.
Well, a week ago I was in a Pet Co store and pick-up the famous yellow fish book for dudummies I read about the new tank cycle/syndrome and it was different then what the so called store experts were telling me. As a result, I have purchased a test kit, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (no strips), and have been monitoring the water levels. Confused and not wanting to loose all the fish, especially the severums (they are cool and smart fish), I started researching the subject more and learned that a fishless cycle would have been better, I bought to many fish, and I need to do daily water changes (top level gravel cleaning only). I have been doing just that except I think I am running higher then recommended ammonia levels...per this site. The last ten days the tank has been running ammonia levels between .8 and 3.5, 1.5 right now after a 1/3 water change. Nitrite has been running between .15 and .25. Nitrate is going up slightly, starting at 2.5 and now at 7.5.
With what information I have supplied, what is the expected time to go through the cycle? 8 weeks plus due to the partial water changes? Isn't the water changes taking out nitrate as well and stopping the appropriate nitrate build up or does most of the nitrate reside in the filter?
Last piece of data, the fish are fed twice a day for 5 minutes each feeding.
Great site! Great info!
Thanks!
Another fish store owner, who I bought the stand from, said I could put in fish as well. He did mention the "new tank cycle" and to buy hearty fish. He also said "do not" change the water for 4-6 weeks until the tank completed the cycle. He said the ammonia levels will go sky high...off the charts. He said dodo notorry about testing. Some fish will die, it's part of the cycle.
Petsmart, where I purchased some miscellaneous accessories from, said to wait 5 days before putting in fish. They did not mention the cycle.
As a result, I waited 2 days after putting water in the tank and bought fish, lots of fish: 2 4" gold severums, 2 baby green severums, one angel fish, 3 tetra skirts, and 5 neons.
Well, a week ago I was in a Pet Co store and pick-up the famous yellow fish book for dudummies I read about the new tank cycle/syndrome and it was different then what the so called store experts were telling me. As a result, I have purchased a test kit, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (no strips), and have been monitoring the water levels. Confused and not wanting to loose all the fish, especially the severums (they are cool and smart fish), I started researching the subject more and learned that a fishless cycle would have been better, I bought to many fish, and I need to do daily water changes (top level gravel cleaning only). I have been doing just that except I think I am running higher then recommended ammonia levels...per this site. The last ten days the tank has been running ammonia levels between .8 and 3.5, 1.5 right now after a 1/3 water change. Nitrite has been running between .15 and .25. Nitrate is going up slightly, starting at 2.5 and now at 7.5.
With what information I have supplied, what is the expected time to go through the cycle? 8 weeks plus due to the partial water changes? Isn't the water changes taking out nitrate as well and stopping the appropriate nitrate build up or does most of the nitrate reside in the filter?
Last piece of data, the fish are fed twice a day for 5 minutes each feeding.
Great site! Great info!
Thanks!
:clap:
