Yes, I'm another newbie!
Well, I think fishless cycling a tank would have to be one of the most satisfying, frustrating, fun, interesting things I have ever done.. lol I got my 100L tank (Yes, it's name is Tanky ;-)) for Christmas (a couple of days before actually) and I'm pretty sure that it's stable and cycled! I've uploaded an aquarium profile if anyone wants to have a look
I used a product called lysofoss to help cycle the tank, which is a powder form of the bacteria needed to "eat" ammonia and nitrites. I seeded the tank every day for 2 weeks with the lysofoss and added fish food like I was feeding fish nearly every day.
Parameters of my normal tap water: PH - 7.8, GH - 7, KH - 5, Ammonia - 0, Nitrites - 0
I tested the tank water every 2nd or 3rd day (mainly for Ammonia and nitrites) and the day before yesterday the levels were down to 0 or just about in the case of nitrites (the testing kit I have says <0.3mg/L as it's lowest reading). Once a week I tested all parameters with steady results. The PH of the tank water is a bit high at 8, and would appreciate any advice in that regard! GH and KH are well within normal ranges. Temperature wise, I bought a heater, but haven't installed it yet.. Temps are currently hovering around 27-28*C, the highest temp recorded was 30*C, but that was on a day where it was 45*C outside... Lowest temp has been 26.5*C.
I did a 20% water change in week 2, mainly so I could give the filter a gentle rinse to get the excess muck out from the Lysofoss and prevent clogging. Testing of the parameters didn't change other than a small drop in both Ammonia and nitrite levels, as expected. Nitrate levels have hovered around 20-30ppm for the last week and now that ammonia and nitrite levels are 0 (YAY!!) I'm going to do another water change, gravel clean and filter rinse tomorrow or Saturday and get me some fishies!!
Fish.... I've done A LOT of research and have finally (after changing my mind about 15 times) decided to start with Platies.. I ultimately want a community tank with a Betta fish, so thought the Platies would be a good starting point. I'm still undecided on the "bottom-dwellers" but do like Pepper Cories, but we'll see... :demented:
I'm sure there's something I've missed and would love to hear any feedback I've done the majority of my research on here, haven't needed to post much because I've found threads that answered any questions I had! I love this forum and think I'll be spending a bit of time here.. lol
Well, I think fishless cycling a tank would have to be one of the most satisfying, frustrating, fun, interesting things I have ever done.. lol I got my 100L tank (Yes, it's name is Tanky ;-)) for Christmas (a couple of days before actually) and I'm pretty sure that it's stable and cycled! I've uploaded an aquarium profile if anyone wants to have a look
I used a product called lysofoss to help cycle the tank, which is a powder form of the bacteria needed to "eat" ammonia and nitrites. I seeded the tank every day for 2 weeks with the lysofoss and added fish food like I was feeding fish nearly every day.
Parameters of my normal tap water: PH - 7.8, GH - 7, KH - 5, Ammonia - 0, Nitrites - 0
I tested the tank water every 2nd or 3rd day (mainly for Ammonia and nitrites) and the day before yesterday the levels were down to 0 or just about in the case of nitrites (the testing kit I have says <0.3mg/L as it's lowest reading). Once a week I tested all parameters with steady results. The PH of the tank water is a bit high at 8, and would appreciate any advice in that regard! GH and KH are well within normal ranges. Temperature wise, I bought a heater, but haven't installed it yet.. Temps are currently hovering around 27-28*C, the highest temp recorded was 30*C, but that was on a day where it was 45*C outside... Lowest temp has been 26.5*C.
I did a 20% water change in week 2, mainly so I could give the filter a gentle rinse to get the excess muck out from the Lysofoss and prevent clogging. Testing of the parameters didn't change other than a small drop in both Ammonia and nitrite levels, as expected. Nitrate levels have hovered around 20-30ppm for the last week and now that ammonia and nitrite levels are 0 (YAY!!) I'm going to do another water change, gravel clean and filter rinse tomorrow or Saturday and get me some fishies!!
Fish.... I've done A LOT of research and have finally (after changing my mind about 15 times) decided to start with Platies.. I ultimately want a community tank with a Betta fish, so thought the Platies would be a good starting point. I'm still undecided on the "bottom-dwellers" but do like Pepper Cories, but we'll see... :demented:
I'm sure there's something I've missed and would love to hear any feedback I've done the majority of my research on here, haven't needed to post much because I've found threads that answered any questions I had! I love this forum and think I'll be spending a bit of time here.. lol