Help Please

I've heard the fishless cycle works..I've also heard..it doesn't work(but that may be a 'user error' )
in theory the fishless cycle uses ammonia(non scented) and you will be adding ammonia to the tank a little at a time. in essence palying the 'part' of the fish.
you can also try using live bacteria with fish you add.

if you try this, I would suggest you use 'hardy' fish(white clouds, danios) just in case the added bacteria are not all that live..most of that depends on how the bacteria were stored.
definately get a test kit(unless you like going to the ifs and trust their testing).

good luck and have fun
 
star_rider said:
I've heard the fishless cycle works..I've also heard..it doesn't work(but that may be a 'user error' )
in theory the fishless cycle uses ammonia(non scented)
Click to expand...
Non-surfacant, not non scented :) If it foams when you shake it, it's no good.
Fishless cycling works fine and if someone ran into a problem, then yes, it would be a user error.

you can also try using live bacteria with fish you add.
Click to expand...
The only live bacteria you can currently buy for this is Bio Spira, which was noted in another post.

Roan
 
Well, I appreciate all the replies. You guys know a hell of a lot more than me, that is why I came here. Great forum!!
I added 3 Cherry Barbs and 1 Dwarf Red Gourami
I also bought some fake plants and a fixture for the fish to hang out in.
I guess I will do a water change in a week?
How much is a test kit?

By the way I am hooked on keeping fish, what a cool hobby!!
 
Its simply amazing how many people told him that he probrably shouldn't stock fish yet.. but he has.
 
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.
 
They said if your going to add fish now, get something hardy like white clouds or some danios. Meaning fish you wouldn't be heartbroken over when they die due to using fish to cycle. The cherry barbs may make it through the cycle, but I doubt the gourami will make it through without extensive harm or death. In my experience and friend's, gourami's aren't the most hardy fish, especially for cycling. You may not make it through with the gourami, but that is a chance you are already taking. To lessen the stress/harm you need to do partial water changes every few days. you need to get the tests too, they will tell you what's wrong with the water and as a result, your fish.

I didn't mean to come off as mean, just stating the most likely result.

Good Luck.
 
I would like to be more clear in what I said about doing a fishy cycle:

You can't just "do a water change every couple of days." You have to get test kits for Ammonia and NitrIte (at a minimum) and test your water religiously, AT LEAST once a day. If you detect any amount of either of these compounds in excess of 0.25ppm, you need to do a water change immediately, anywhere from 20-50%. You need to make sure the water you add is dechlorinated (using Stress Coat, Amquel, Prime, Aquasafe, etc) and as close to the same temperature as the water in your tank as possible. One hour after the water change, you need to retest the water again to be sure you lowered the values enough.

I highly suggest getting Aquarium Pharmaceuticals liquid test kits (or other LIQUID test kit - I just haven't use other brands) as the test strips are known to be highly innacurate.

I will stand by what I said about fishy cycles: if you are VERY careful, and VERY observant, you can minimize (but not eliminate) any stress or injury to your new fish. If you get lazy, you will probably lose one or all of them.

If you wish to make your life a little easier, I highly recommend going out and getting a 1oz. pouch of Bio-Spira and adding it to your tank.
 
OK, you guys got me worried now. Although I should of been worried before I put the fish in.
I called the pet store they have the PH, Ammonia, and Nitrite liquid kits from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, so I will get those.
THey dont carry Bio-Spira but they have a different bio-additive called Aquazyme or something like that? What do you guys know about that?
 
Bio-spira is the only product that works. Many others add bacteria that consume ammonia but can not establish in the aquarium, so are essentially useless.

Please do a small water change NOW. At least 20%. Then, get the test kits, and start doing as many water changes as needed to keep the ammonia levels less than 1 ppm. You may also want to pick up some fast growing plants, like anachris, which will help remove the ammonia.
 
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