Well...it looks like fish time

AquaDummy

AquaDummy

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Sep 26, 2004
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Kamloops, BC
So, checked my tank this morning and ammonia and nitrite are zero --- yaaaa finally. I didn't have a chance to check nitrates yet but I will. I'm going to do a water change later today (not touching gravel or filter this time). I'll check the levels again, feed some ammonia because I can't get fish today, and keep doing water changes until nitrates are down to around zero.

I'm waiting to get my fish tomorrow as I can get them a bit cheaper with my club membership on Tuesdays. I'm a bit nervous about finally doing this after all the waiting. I just wanted to check my plan again before I go wild and mess up all the work.

I can't get all my fish as they don't have them at the LFS. So I was thinking of getting the Bristlenose, 2 Blue Rams, 5-6 Platies and maybe a few Congo Tetras. They have 3 in but are expensive ($12 a peice) so I'm not sure I will get them especially if they are all males which I think they are. My tank temperature right now is 77F. FIsh food I'll just ask at the LFS when I get the fish. I may get a few other fish depending on what's at the LFS :idea2:

So does this sound okay to start off with in my 77g? Does the temp sound okay? I know it may be top end for the bristlenose and platies. Anything else? The Congos look very nice but are they worth it? Not sure why but I'm so nervous I'm forgetting everything I've researched :eek:
 
Sounds decent--though I would advise buying anything extra--especially without being able to research it first. The temp will be fine--I have my bristlenose at 78, and they're fine. No breeding, but very active, and healthy.

For food--just keep in mind that you want variety. Instead of buying the biggest container available, I buy the smallest one I can find--and get 2-3 kinds, some that are more protien, others that provide more green-based foods. A mix of both is best for most fish.
 
When I went looking at the LFS tonight to see what's available I was disappointed that not much of what I want is there. I did see another couple of fish that looked very nice - the Yellow Electric (Lab) and the Oto (real cute). Would they be acceptable fish for my peaceful tank? I know the Oto would but with corys and bristlenose is that too much competition in the bottom of my tank? Not sure if the Labs will work or not?

Also, just did a 50% water change and my nitrates are still way up there. Is that normal after a fishless cycle? Does it take a couple of changes to bring in down again. My Nitrites were high after the water change too - hoping that will come down quickly so will check it again in the morning.
 
The labs will terrorize the rest of your tank and have a field day with your plants, lol. As long as they are all well-fed, there is no problem with having all the cats you've listed together, they are all nice peaceful fellows.
 
You can do up to a 90% water change all at once to remove your nitrates after a fishless cycle-just don't disturb the gravel or filter media. You just want to remove the water. That should fix your nitrate problem.
Can your LFS order fish in for you? That may be the way to go, and just keep adding a bit of ammonia to your tank until your fish come in. That's what I have to do when my cycle's done. My LFS will go over a list with me, order what I want, and I'll pick it up when it comes in. And I'll add ammonia to keep the bacteria alive until they come in. That way, I'll have a fully stocked tank, with the fish I want. Ask your LFS, most will do this, I think. It's important to get the fish you want. You may regret it if you don't.
 
sdb said:
You can do up to a 90% water change all at once to remove your nitrates after a fishless cycle-just don't disturb the gravel or filter media. You just want to remove the water. That should fix your nitrate problem.
Click to expand...

Then why the heck do I mess up my cycled tank everytime I do even a smaller water change? I did about an 80% water change my first time the tank cycled. Then right after filling it up I had nitrites way up - cycled ruined. Then after a couple of weeks of doing it again - my tank was ready once more. So I decided this time to keep it to 50% and do smaller changes. That didn't work either - my tank is messed up again - %^#$.

I have no idea why and I can't very well get fish if every time I change the water my bacteria dies. All I do is drain, fill and add Aqua plus. I called the LFS and they do the same - use Aqua plus for dechlorinater. I'm baffled and have no idea what to do. At this point I cannot get fish until I have an answer. Not the experience I've been waiting three years for.. :mad2
 
yes.. 0 ammonia and 0 Nitrites
 
perhaps try dechlorinating beforehand? I do it just out of sheer paranoia... It takes a lot longer- yes. I'd imagine with 77 gallons, it's probably much more time consuming than my 25g... but letting the water sit for a minute with the dechlorinator in it might help- or it might not.
 
Buckets aren't an option for me.. if it doesn't work with a Python then it won't be worth the effort. I haven't got that much time to be hauling buckets up and down stairs. I'm looking forward to having fish but realise my limitations and know that it would be better for me to not even start than to take on something like that..
 
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