i cant take the wait any longer

IMHO it's going to be fine. You know that you need to stay on top of testing and/or water changes, and although it maybe wasn't the best move ever, you still are running a 46 gallon with pretty light stock. You know what to do, now make it work.;)

I've personally found black skirts to be very hardy fish and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Still, I'm an advocate of fishless cycling and I'm glad to see you taking that route with your other tanks. Be patient with those... hopefully the stock you have now will keep you interested enough to avoid jumping the gun in your other tanks.

And no new additions until your 46 gets stable! LOL
 
Ok, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with some of the latest advice and posts. Basically this is a media swap cycle. I have done this on every tank I've set up since my first (15 tanks). This OP is obviously more watchful and dedicated than 99% of the people that post about their first tank here. I know the "standard" advice and will parrot it when needed, but IMO this is a unique tank cycle and level of attention by the OP. There is no ONE right way.
 
Ok, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with some of the latest advice and posts. Basically this is a media swap cycle. I have done this on every tank I've set up since my first (15 tanks). This OP is obviously more watchful and dedicated than 99% of the people that post about their first tank here. I know the "standard" advice and will parrot it when needed, but IMO this is a unique tank cycle and level of attention by the OP. There is no ONE right way.

I agree with HN...and let me clear something up for you all...

The large amount of filter media that I gave to Mike (from my cycled tank) would have more than likely instant cycled his tank due to the small bioload he had in there. Unless the bacteria were killed in transit or during a water change. Since it has been a couple of days and he has done no water changes (I believe) and his ammonia and nitrites are zero and his nitrates are showing he is in good shape.
 
night test =

ammonia-0
nitrites-0
nitrates-0-5.0
pH-6.0

expecting some ammonia tomorrow. i invite you all to crack a beer with me and i will talk to you tomorrow.
 
I agree with HN...and let me clear something up for you all...

The large amount of filter media that I gave to Mike (from my cycled tank) would have more than likely instant cycled his tank due to the small bioload he had in there. Unless the bacteria were killed in transit or during a water change. Since it has been a couple of days and he has done no water changes (I believe) and his ammonia and nitrites are zero and his nitrates are showing he is in good shape.

hey dawg, i was wondering where you went! ya man, i think you are right... i did have to do a water change due to ammonia yesterday because i came home drunk the night before and fed my fish (usually only in the a.m.) to put the bacteria to the test... may not have been a good idea but i did the water change and haven't seen ammonia or nitrite since. nitrates are just about a solid 5.0 but i'm being anal because i want them to be real orange before i consider it a true 5.0. results are more orange then the previous test, however so they're climbing be it slowly. got those 4 new tetra in there and they look like they are doing alright. (except for one with black on his mouth.. that reminds me to check the black skirt thread i created... but he was like that when i got him). so even though i may see some ammonia tomorrow from the new bio load, i'm ready with python in hand. if no ammonia... i'm that much closer!

talk to you all tomorrow.
 
night test =

ammonia-0
nitrites-0
nitrates-0-5.0
pH-6.0

expecting some ammonia tomorrow. i invite you all to crack a beer with me and i will talk to you tomorrow.

Consider one cracked!
Keep up the testing, but relax and let yourself enjoy your tank!!! :thm:
 
hey dawg, i was wondering where you went! ya man, i think you are right... i did have to do a water change due to ammonia yesterday because i came home drunk the night before and fed my fish (usually only in the a.m.) to put the bacteria to the test... may not have been a good idea but i did the water change and haven't seen ammonia or nitrite since. nitrates are just about a solid 5.0 but i'm being anal because i want them to be real orange before i consider it a true 5.0. results are more orange then the previous test, however so they're climbing be it slowly. got those 4 new tetra in there and they look like they are doing alright. (except for one with black on his mouth.. that reminds me to check the black skirt thread i created... but he was like that when i got him). so even though i may see some ammonia tomorrow from the new bio load, i'm ready with python in hand. if no ammonia... i'm that much closer!

talk to you all tomorrow.

Yeah...I was gone for the weekend. I'm glad to see your tank seems to be doing well. Keep testing and you should be fine. Don't worry you're not dumb...but you may be slightly color blind...:lipssealedsmilie:
 
Yeah...I was gone for the weekend. I'm glad to see your tank seems to be doing well. Keep testing and you should be fine. Don't worry you're not dumb...but you may be slightly color blind...:lipssealedsmilie:

yeah my mind tends to trick me into the worst possible scenario. if ammonia is yellow, i'll keep looking at it and it starts looking green. i need to drain a few beers and watch some tv and get my mind off it for now.. whatever i have in store for myself over the next couple weeks will come, as far as tonight, my work is done, and params are satisfactory.
 
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