Author Topic: Hooray! Cycle! (Read 5403 times) 16 replies

Charlotte · « **on:** March 27, 2016, 11:45:27 AM »

Thanks to the advice from Sue and Simon the tank has finally cycled.
I suspect the hard work is keeping the water at the levels it is now.
Any advice would be welcome.

Fiona · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2016, 11:55:38 AM »

A 20-25% water change weekly to keep the nitrates down is about it Charlotte. When are you adding your fish?

Richard W · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2016, 12:10:49 PM »

It's also worth remembering that the complete cycling process enables you to stock quite heavily. I'm still surprised to see that most people spend week after frustrating week waiting for the cycle to complete and then add a tiny number of fish at a time. I think it's better to add more fish at the beginning. Every time a few fish are added there is the chance of disease being introduced, better to take that risk less often than adding fish in dribs and drabs.

fcmf · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2016, 01:22:43 PM »

Useful advice above. If my memory serves me correctly, though, in this case, this was actually a fish-in cycle following poor advice from a LFS, and the tank was/is already fully stocked. Remind us, Charlotte, what fish you have in what size of tank, and we can let you know whether there's any further advice we can give besides weekly water changes as Fiona O'M advises.

Keep monitoring water quality regularly, though, as this will help determine how often you need to do water changes - it may need to be more often. Ammonia and nitrite should be kept at 0, while nitrate should be kept under 20 (or no more than 20 above tap water nitrate level).

Charlotte · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2016, 07:27:56 PM »

Your memory is good fcmf !
Following advice from LFS we did a fish in cycle (won't be doing that again).
We have two Guppy's, two platys (one quite big) and five harlequin rasboras.
Despite pleas from the children for neon tetras we think our 35 litre tank is at full capacity. To celebrate the tank cycle we gave our fish an extra portion of flakes because they must have starved just lately.

Sue · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2016, 07:48:31 PM »

I agree, your tank is just about full. If you wanted, you could squeeze in another harlequin as they prefer a group of at least 6.

Unless the tank has a lot of live plants, 25% a week water changes is a good starting point. If you find nitrate reaching tap water level plus 20 just before a water change, then do a bigger amount or 25% more often than once a week.

fcmf · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2016, 07:54:30 PM »

Well done on getting through / completing the cycle. That's a nice selection of fish which you have. I was about to say that your tank is perfectly stocked as it is and I wouldn't add any to it but I see Sue has just posted and suggested the addition of one more harlequin which is probably wise. Do not be tempted to give in to the children's pleas and get a neon instead - like harlequins, they are shoaling fish and like to be / do better in groups of 6+, so you need to be firm-minded about getting the harlequin. NB. There are similar fish - espei rasboras (slender harlequins) and hengeli rasboras, so make sure you check before buying that it's definitely a harlequin rasbora.

Charlotte · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2016, 07:12:57 PM »

Completing the cycle has had a dramatic effect on the fish.
The colours they are developing are so bright and iridescent, particularly the rainbow platy.
I had suspicions that the harlequins weren't harlequins at all but now the pork chop section is slowly turning blue.
To top off the melee of activity from the now happy fish our wagtail is giving birth to fry. We managed to net one and we've got it in a breeding net so hopefully we can watch it grow and add it to the tank.
Thanks again for the advice and when we have more experience perhaps we can pass it on to others.

Littlefish · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2016, 07:44:02 PM »

Fantastic news. Great to hear that your fish are developing their colours and that everything is going well, even the addition of your little ones.

Paddyc · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2016, 09:37:55 PM »

Nice one, Charlotte! I was so glad to complete my own fishless cycle and my little shoals of fish are very active and so vibrant and colourful! Get some pics of your tank up!

#picsoritdidnthappen

Extreme_One · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2016, 09:54:49 PM »

I'm really pleased for you Charlotte.

I know it was stressful but so worthwhile in the end.

It'd be great to see some photos.

Charlotte · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:28:25 PM »

Re pics, its like taking pictures of the wind lol but I think I've attached a couple

Littlefish · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:45:47 PM »

We all know the frustration of trying to take pictures of fast swimming fish.

Great pictures and lovely colours on your fish.
Well done.

Paddyc · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:54:10 PM »

Great pictures, your fish do indeed look very healthy and the colours are brill!

fcmf · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2016, 09:08:19 PM »

Lovely!

Fiona · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2016, 11:43:19 PM »

Very happy looking fish

Charlotte · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2016, 06:59:28 PM »

Thanks for your comments regarding our fish (and my photography skills )

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Hooray! Cycle!

Hooray! Cycle!

Author Topic: Hooray! Cycle! (Read 5403 times) 16 replies

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