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2K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  1077 
#1 ·
hey guys, i'm new to this site, just got me a 55 gal tank, i believe i made a mistake, listening to the guy at pet smart, he told me to get this certain type of water conditioning and i would be able to stock my tank in 24 to 48 hours, after reading the thing about cycling i believe i messed up, i only put 1 convict cichlid in there to see if he would make it, so can someone tell me what i may need to do from here on out.
 
#2 ·
It's not really a mistake. You can cycle your tank this way, just be ready for daily to every other day water changes. The ammonia levels may get to high for the convict to handle. Have you picked up a water testing kit yet?
 
#3 ·
Buy a liquid test kit. The API one works very well. It's a bit pricey, about ~$30 in stores but you can find them for $15 on line. Start testing your water daily for ammonia and nitrites. When you see a level over 0.25 ppm for either do about a 30% water change with dechlorinated water.

Keep this up, eventually your ammonia levels will peak and then start to come down. Not long afterward the same thing will happen with your nitrite levels. When those start to come down begin testing for nitrates. When your nitrates are coming up and your ammonia and nitrite readings are zero for several days in a row your tank is now cycled.
 
#4 ·
**Bookmarks**


i am either getting a 29gal or a 10gal for x-mas here, so this cycling helps. now someone needs to reply, so I can have the link in my email. Thankies!
 
#5 ·
Were it me I would add (thats right) four or five small tetras such as bloodfin, or pristella and do exactly as those above have suggested. I say this because the one convict in 55 gal will not in my view contribute much in the way of ammonia for nitrifying bacteria to feed on which is needed for tank to mature or cycle. You must add Only the fish mentioned and no more. Feed these fish once a day thats all. Monitor the water daily or every other day for ammonia. If as stated above ammonia rises above 0.25 then a ten percent water change will be needed. With the small fish I suggested the ammonia levels should not become lethal . You will be feeding them sparingly once a day and only a small amount .This too will keep ammonia levels from becoming lethal. With the one convict, Your tank will take longer to mature than with the help of the four or five SMALL fish I suggested. If you add Large fish or more than I have suggested then You will have problems. If you follow the suggestion your tank will mature naturally and in four to five weeks you will be able to add fish slowly ,one or two a week. I fear with the one fish that it would take much longeri n your 55 gal. You must watch or test for ammonia and perform water change with dechlorinator in the new water you are adding.
 
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