Un-cycled tank with 2 oscars.
- Thread starter Mrs. Burns
- Start date
Stress Zyme does not have proper freshwater bacteria, Bio Spira does. Stress Coat will add stuff to the tank you do not want, especially if you are trying to establish the cycle again. Please don't use those.Mrs. Burns said:
Get some filter media from your other tank and add it to the filter in the 20g. Test the water often and daily. If the ammonia or nitrites start to climb, change out as much water as you can until they are as low as you can get them.
Roan
Could you please tell me what you use to condition your water? The lfs said all I needed was this stress coat and stress zyme. I do have Genesis to remove the chlorine. But they also gave me stress zyme at that time. It was another fish store that sold me stress coat and a different kind of stress zyme. I can't trust anyone from any fish store and that's sad! Should I just use Genesis to remove the chlorine and that's it??? And also, I'm adding some gravel in some panty hose like Puffernewbee suggested.Roan Art said:
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Have you considered taking the oscars back? The tank is too small for the oscar regardless, and then just fishless cycle normally, and if he wants cichlids, get a pair of kribs or convicts.
Hey, I wasn't offended. I just figured you didn't see it. Hey, what do you use in your water?Ruben Tolon said:
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I just tested again and this is what I got: Ammonia=0ppm/Nitrite=.5ppm/Nitrate=between 5-10ppm. Is this normal for ammonia to be 0 when nitrite is .5ppm? Another thing, since the cycle is going better now, should I still do a 50% water change, or should I just do 25% today?
I would say that you are on the right track. Is this the first time that the ammonia is at 0? If it is , than you are halfway through your cycle.(Yay). Now the nitrites will start to rise. With oscars, I would still recommend doing large water changes through your cycle and decrease the precentage amount once you are cycled. So if you are doing fifty percent now, when you are cycled maybe you can get away with thirty percent. Your tank will tell you what you should do during the maintenence of your aquarium with the readings from your water tests. Keep up the good work and you will be cycled in no time.
Hang in there!
Marinemom
Hang in there!
Marinemom
two oscars will grow about an inch a month each until they reach about 8" long, then they will slow down a bit. by the time they are adults (8-10 inches, but they can reach a max size of 12-16") they will need at the absolute bare minimum a 100g tank. 150g would be much better though. this is for several reasons.
first, oscars are very territorial. they will fight and need plenty of space to have their own territories. its best to get a tank that is as long as possible, at least 18" deep front to back, and somewhere around 18-24" tall. if the babies are raised together, they have a much better chance of getting along as adults.
second, oscars are VERY dirty fish and produce a lot of waste. they need a lot of extra water volume to help dilute the waste they produce, otherwise you will be doing water changes every day to keep the nitrates down. this leads into the third reason, which is that oscars are VERY sensitive to their water quality. the nitrate must stay below 20ppm or they will become suceptible to Hole in the Head disease (HITH) which is basically when the fish develops large pits and deep scars in its head, which continue to grow. sometimes it can be stopped, but i don't think it can ever be reversed. this disease is only found in large cichlids that have a poor diet and poor water quality.
unless you plan on getting a 110-150g tank within the next 2-3 months, i'd suggest taking the oscars back and getting something more suitable to a 20g tank.
first, oscars are very territorial. they will fight and need plenty of space to have their own territories. its best to get a tank that is as long as possible, at least 18" deep front to back, and somewhere around 18-24" tall. if the babies are raised together, they have a much better chance of getting along as adults.
second, oscars are VERY dirty fish and produce a lot of waste. they need a lot of extra water volume to help dilute the waste they produce, otherwise you will be doing water changes every day to keep the nitrates down. this leads into the third reason, which is that oscars are VERY sensitive to their water quality. the nitrate must stay below 20ppm or they will become suceptible to Hole in the Head disease (HITH) which is basically when the fish develops large pits and deep scars in its head, which continue to grow. sometimes it can be stopped, but i don't think it can ever be reversed. this disease is only found in large cichlids that have a poor diet and poor water quality.
unless you plan on getting a 110-150g tank within the next 2-3 months, i'd suggest taking the oscars back and getting something more suitable to a 20g tank.
