Help Please

[themadblimper]

You could add some Bio-spira and have your tank instantly cycled. I just did it for a 29 gallon and no ammonia or nitrite has been present. Just a nitrate level of 20 and climbing! But you'd have to add all of the fish you plan on getting immediately after adding bio-spira. Otherwise, you would have to add the fish at the regular rate, very slowly and doing mini-cycles. Good luck with your tank.

 

[Onikun]

Maybe you should read some of the replies then, some people thought it was ok to add fish now, but to change the water regularly.
I'm sure you did the same thing when you first started.

You're right, thats what i did and most of my fish died. Thats why some people are trying to warn you so you dont make the same mistake as them.

 

[Anglerman]

The ammonia level is 0ppm, I will check it everyday for a couple weeks. How often should I check nitrite levels?

 

[themadblimper]

Everyday as well.

 

[Anglerman]

I have been checking the Ammonia and Nitrite levels daily, once before I change the water, and an hour after. So far the ammonia levels have been between 0-.25ppm, and the nitrite levels were a little over 0ppm today. So, I changed the water again(20%)added the Amquel. Checked again and the ammonia was closer to 0, and the nitrites were much lower.

How long should I have to check the water like this? Do I have basically have to wait until the ammonia and nitrite levels go down, or just the ammonia?

Thanks again to everybody responding to my post. Also I hope you all don't think I am cruel in adding fish at the begining of the cycle. I want to do whatever it takes to make this process as harmless as possible.

 

[Anglerman]

Could someone please help me out?

 

[Diego L.]

Dude I don't enjoy being a pessimist but I guess I have to...firrst of all I've never kept an aquarium but I have read quite a bit (books...not anecdotes) that state that dwarf guarami will proboablly die...sorry...you didn't add the fish at the begining of the cycle the cycle hadnt even started...and I can't help but thinking that even they are fish...this is cruel you should have throughtfully most people didn't think it was a good idea and the ones that did said hardy fish not dwarf guarmis who are very sensetive to water qualaty....(sorry for all the spelling mistakes I rtoe this in a hurry)

...good luck...

 

[Clurin]

Could someone please help me out?

You can stop testing daily once both the ammonia and nitrIte levels remain at ZERO for 2-3 days in a row. Once that happens, you have completed your cycle. Sounds like you are doing a good job so far, your fish should do just fine.

FYI, typically, the cycle will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. The only way to speed it up is to add live bacteria which means filter media from another cycled, HEALTHY tank, or Bio-Spira (which you said you LFS doesn't carry.. perhaps try another one in your area?).

Good luck! You seem to be doing okay so far.

Dude I don't enjoy being a pessimist but I guess I have to...firrst of all I've never kept an aquarium but I have read quite a bit (books...not anecdotes) that state that dwarf guarami will proboablly die...sorry...you didn't add the fish at the begining of the cycle the cycle hadnt even started...and I can't help but thinking that even they are fish...this is cruel you should have throughtfully most people didn't think it was a good idea and the ones that did said hardy fish not dwarf guarmis who are very sensetive to water qualaty....(sorry for all the spelling mistakes I rtoe this in a hurry)

...good luck...

I have 2 dwarf gouramis in my 38G, and I did essentially what Angler has. I read a few books and talked to the LFS, and had never heard of fishless cycling or Bio-Spira. Once I found these boards, I received the same advice that has been given in this thread. Both gouramis are still living quite happily. Yes, they may be more fragile than danios (which I swear could live in toxic sludge), but if you are very diligent about water changes and testing, they should be fine.

 

[Anglerman]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Clurin, appreciate it!

 

[Boohoo]

Anglerman, keep up with your testing and water changes as necessary. You seem to be doing okay so far. When first starting this hobby, there is so much conflicting information being thrown at you at once, that it is difficult to always make the best decisions. Almost everyone has and will make some bad choices. Hopefully we have all learnt from our mistakes, so as not to repeat them. Good luck with your fish.