tank finally cycled...

[Carlos05]

Hi...most of you probably won't remember this but about a little over a month ago, I posted here complaining about 3 of my fish dying after a major water change. I was also frustrated with the fact that the 20g tank still hadn't cycled after 2 months. Well...I went down to 3 fish and fed them every other day. In essence, I left it alone and it worked...the tank finally cycled. It took a long time and I lost a few fish but at least its done. I added another danio a few days ago so as of right now, I have 2 zebra danio, and 2 mollies. My numbers are 0 ammonia, 20 nitrate, 0 nitrite, 50 hardness, and 8.4ph...(unfortunately, the tap water here in college station is high in pH but the fish have adjusted well.) I also have a heater and the temp is at 80. I tried feeding blood worms but it seems that only the black molly liked it...the others weren't to fond of it. I'll just try to switch back and forth.

So...I have a couple of questions to ask. One: what other fish would you recommend I add and how many? I was looking into some neon tetras but I would like other opinions. Two: I'm going to be moving into a new apartment the end of May so what is the best way to transport them. The drive should be no longer than 10 min and the total time from unplugging the filter/light/etc from the old apt to plugging into the new one is 30 min max.

I realize this is a long post but I appreciate any help and advice. Thanks for those who helped me earlier...I'll continue to roam around here for advice...thanks again.

 

[Carlos05]

Hmm...the other sites and articles that I've read says the opposite. Says that the last step in the cycle is the reduction of nitrite to nitrate and that nitrate in low amounts is ok....All you have to do to reduce nitrate is do a partial water change and that will prevent any buildup. Also, adding plants will aid in reduction of nitrates. Hope I heard this right...

 

[ggrowney]

Sorry - I was confused

Didn't mean to mess up your post. I actually re-read and deleted my comment. I understand and I think my book agrees with your reading.

 

[joephys]

Any small tetra (about 8) or live bearer (4-8 depending on type) would be good in the tank. It really depends on what you prefer. A small school of cory's would be good, since they stay at the bottom.

As far as transporting them, since its only ten miles, I would get a bucket with a lid and fill it half up with water from the tank and transport them in that.

 

[Zeromason577]

Im happy your tank finally cycled, i know how much of a pain it is when you are dealing with thoes high numbers, and many water changes.

As for transporting them, a week or 2 before you move try to get the gravel clean but not by removing it, vac it out like every day or every other day so when you move, all that muck in the bottom is not shaken up into the tank and such.

Make sure you know were you are going to put the tank and get everything ready before moving, time is very crucial in the movment of fish, transport them in 5 gallon buckets, or coolers.( i use bags inside all my buckets just to make sure their is no chance of geting a soap/chem contamanation in the transporting of the fish.

Good luck!

 

[compensate]

If your neons come from a local store you may be OK, but a pH of over 8.0 might be rough on a neon tetra.

I would suggest a tougher schooling fish than the neon or cardinal tetra. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are tough, but they don't school as tightly as many. All of mine easily survived cycling in two different tanks - a 10g and a 40g. Some say White Clouds are a coldwater fish (and in nature they are), but mine have done well in 80 degree water for about 6 months so far and have grown well! For most schooling fish, I'd keep at least 5 at bare minimum.

Mollies also prefer brackish water, but many fish (and most freshwater plants) do not. I've had mollies in freshwater, but I've heard they live longer and resist disease better if they have a little aquarium salt in their water. If you love the mollies, don't worry about adding the salt if you want to keep live plants and not limit your other fish choices. The best thing to do is find out of the mollies you bought were kept in brackish or fresh water at the store where you bought them.

 

[Carlos05]

thanks for the advice....I appreciate it. Unfortunately a really good LFS went out of buisness earlier because there is a petsmart opening up next month and Petco is already here. So i'm going to have to buy any fish from those 2 places from now on. I'm going to see what kind of fish there are but I'm looking to get maybe a cory and perhaps a couple of african dwarf frogs. I also want to add plants in the long run. What kind of gravel would you recommend? How would you go about switching gravel? Thanks again for everyone's tips.