Cycling My Fluval Edge

Thanks Sue :-)

Things are looking good here.

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate about 80ppm

I'm too tired to do a water change right now (14 hour shift, bleugh), but shall probably do one tomorrow. Dosed 1.7ml ammonia in the mean time.

The increasing nitrate is good, looks like you are getting there. Don't worry about a reading of 80, it's when it gets so high it's off the top of the chart you need to worry about inhibiting the bacteria.

This evening nitrite is at 0ppm, so I'm doing a large water change to bring the nitrate down as I'm away for a few days and don't think my boyfriend will be happy if I ask him to do it!!

Haha it does seem it some times! It sounds worse than it is, I'm 'only' working for 21 of those hours, the other 10 hours are part of a sleep shift ha. I did basically a 100% water change (with warm declorinated water of course!) to bring the nitrate down and added more safe start (there's still some left even after this dose!) and dosed 2ml ammonia (which should come out around 3-4ppm ammonia). I'll be able to test the water early tomorrow, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my nitrite eaters get chomping away!

Yeah Tuesday doesn't seem too far away at all! Thanks Resa - can't wait to go home to see them all!

I'm trying to decide what makes sense... Since I'm off all of Tuesday and Wednesday, but my partner won't be back from work until 5:30. Hmmmmm. I was wondering if it would be worth me getting the plants and two of the fish from one specific shop myself, but I'll have to be on the bus for about 15 minutes and then a bit of a walk. Given the cold weather would this be a really bad idea!? Actually.. I've just realised the shop I wanted to get most of my fish from closes at 5:30 :-( Not sure how to do this now! I did work out I could get a bus there, but there's a lot more faffing in the cold on public transport with that shop. Tricky things! Maybe I need to get a taxi ha. I don't really want to wait any more than I have to haha. I can get two of my fishies from the Maidenhead, two more from Pets at Home (unless people would strongly advise against this??).. it's just the four from the other shop that would be tricky on my own!

P.S. Colin or Sue may advise differently, but I would be inclined to get plants in before the fish so that you're not rummaging around in the tank trying to decide how they look best while your fish are waiting.  They of course, need to float for a bit in their bags in the tank to adjust to temperature, which would make it extremely difficult to place the plants, plus I would imagine, it would give your substrate and water chance to settle again......just a thought......

Resa
 

Yes, get the plants in before the fish. I'd find it tricky enough in an Edge without trying not to kill fish.

There is a way to take fish on public transport in this weather, though it does depend on how you value your appearance. Wear a really thick jacket that's a bit on the big side then put the fish bag inside and fasten up. Ideally, use a jacket with a belt that you can pull really tight so you have your hands free and the bag won't fall out. Your body is at 37 deg, more than enough to keep the water at 25 deg. The downside is that it makes you look rather an odd shape  It's what I do if the car park is a long way from the shop, and also while I'm in the car.

Hi Jesnon,

Looking at the transporting fish bag, it doesn't seem to me to be much different from most other thermal or picnic cool bags.  I have a few like this that I have just bought either at the supermarket or the cheap shops, and the linings are a muted grey/silver.  Might be worth a look around to see if you can save yourself a few quid....might be just enough for an extra fishie

Resa
 

Hi Jesnon,

I'm sure the thermal rucksack would be fine, and I think getting your plants in and how you like them on Monday is a good idea.  You're nearly there now, it is so lovely to finally get fishies...but then you get different worries!
I love mine and I'm so chuffed they have had babies.... probably be moaning about that in a few months time when I have 17,000 of them in my tank
Then again, it was horrible to lose my little oto, and I have been worried about one of my guppies, then he perked up, then I was worried again, then he looked fine again, then when I came home this evening he was very listless and alternated between sitting on the gravel and resting on the weed.  I decided I was probably going to have to get some clove oil tomorrow to do the dreaded deed...looked to see how he was doing and he was with the others eating and swimming around. Half an hour later he was at the bottom of the tank dead
I am so worried that I will lose all my fish, I'll just have to be vigilant. I must go tomorrow and get the clove oil though, just in case....I don't want any of them to suffer, and you know if any of them get ill, it will be over Easter when everywhere is shut.
Colin says it gets better after 6 months.....I hope so!

Don't forget to let us know what fishies you get when you have them....have a good Easter

Resa
 

Thanks Jesnon,

Yes, I'm  hoping that was the case.  Colin said it was unlikely that the bully guppy took the chunk out of the sick ones tail, so I'm wondering if he developed fin rot due to stress from being harassed.  Oh well....I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed for the others....

Resa