CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi,
How long did you all let your tanks cycle before adding your cichlids? (And others)
I swear this process is torture! It's been 2 1/2 weeks since I set up my newest tank (the 55 gallon), one of the pet store guys said to wait a month another said to check the water after 2 weeks.
I tested my water yesterday and the PH is through the roof (we have really harsh water here), nitrates are just a tad high (maybe 2 or 3), but everything else is perfect.
Any input??

Oh, and thanks for all of the replies to my Severum question!

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~ Danya ~

The key to cycling is this:

Ammonia: 0 (very important)
Nitrites: 0 (very important)
Nitrates: (not that big a deal just keep low with water changes)
Ph: 7.0 is best but between 6.5-7.8

If you have that then you have a cycled tank that can take a 2-6 weeks depending on your tank and process used to cycle it.

PS: I used my oscars to cycle my tank so while it is a good idea it is possible to skip it if you are careful about water conditions and do frequent water changes.

Adam

Danya,

A lot of people have hard water. A lot of times its the lime that acts as a buffer and no matter what you use it won't let your PH go up or down. You need to use Distilled water or Reverse Osmosis (available at your LFS). I know my LFS sold the RO water for fifty cents a gallon. You may also want to look into a water pillow by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. They also sell filters for your tap water that will Distil water. I think its a rate of 1 gallon per hour or 10 gallons per hour. There are many methods you may choose. I would call API at 1-800-847-0659 or at www.aquariumpharm.com Some people use driftwood or peat moss. I have never seen results with either. I use the plain old tap water. My Cichlids are doing as good as they can and have been since fry. The only thing I have added to my tank is Biozyme. Biozyme is pure bacteria in granual form. You add 1Tbs per 20 gallons I believe. This will add all the bacteria you will need for a cycled tank. There is no down time with Biozyme either. And for the low low price of $1.99 you too can have a wonderfully cycled tank in no time HeHeHeHe. I have stopped checking for PH levels a long long time ago. The color was always a darker shade of blue. The only thing I check for is Ammonia. Like I said before, my Cichlids in both tanks are as healthy as can be. Good luck..

-S42K

[This message has been edited by S42K (edited 06-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by S42K (edited 06-11-2001).]

what kind of fish are u planing to add into your new aquarium. if its a hardy fish, just cycle your tank with the fish inside. and if your tap water is too high, i wouldnt buy any "speical water" or stuff like that. just go out buy some peat and that stuff will lower it slowly. i wouldnt buy these chemicals to change the ph beacuse once you do water changes, your ph is outta wack again. its easy, buy peat, put in filter. if the ph gets too low, get crushed coral. crushed coral is usually used for salt water aquariums to raise ph. just put the coral in a media bag and place in filter.

BTW Biozyme is not a chemcial but rather pure bacteria dehydrated that reacts with water contact.

-S42K

Thow some cheap useless fish in theire to get "good" bacteria going even a bunch of guppies will work then if you add a larger cichlid (such as an oscar) these will become food and you can put what ever else you want in there then.

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Candice

Excellent! Thanks for all of the helpful tips everyone. I am now on week 4 and my ph is 7.8, Nitrates 2, Nitrite 0 and ammonia 0.
I'll be taking a sample of my water to my LFS in the morning and see if my tank is FINALLY ready for some "real" fish. (Doing the Zebra Danio thing for the time being.)
THANKS AGAIN!!!


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~ Danya ~