Cycling of new Zebra pleco tank

[wasabi8888]

Update:

Cycling fishes still alive... still adding Sera Morena. PH at 7.4.. added about 125ml already... may switch to Sera Super Peat....

Any advice anyone?

[Gecko]

Hi

If you are using new media and new water plus 1 SAE and 1 guppy, your tank is not going to cycle even if you leave it for a month, there's nothing to feed the BB and the fish you are using to cycle the tank produce too little poo, at best they let you know if the water is toxic.

Suggest you add in poo and waste water you vacuum from your other tank directly into the tank, maybe 2 or 3 x a week. After your tank has cycled, the pH issue is easier to fix ( might not be an issue at all)....Zebras are tolerant of water at 7+ pH, the key is to acclimatize them slowly.

All the best, cheers.

[wasabi8888]

Gecko

That's a good point. Will do that. Now trying to find out the root of my PH problem. I just removed the ADA Sarawak substrate, DW and all (even the ceramic rings from my 202. Just want to find out what is causing my PH to spike upwards even though I have added Sera Morena in.

[wasabi8888]

Hi

If you are using new media and new water plus 1 SAE and 1 guppy, your tank is not going to cycle even if you leave it for a month, there's nothing to feed the BB and the fish you are using to cycle the tank produce too little poo, at best they let you know if the water is toxic.

Suggest you add in poo and waste water you vacuum from your other tank directly into the tank, maybe 2 or 3 x a week. After your tank has cycled, the pH issue is easier to fix ( might not be an issue at all)....Zebras are tolerant of water at 7+ pH, the key is to acclimatize them slowly.

All the best, cheers.

hmmm. Another interesting thought. How come 1 SAE not enough to cycle the tank? Isn't that what was advised? To cycle for 1 or 2 fishes for a 2 ft tank? Unless the fish chosen is wrong?

[celticfish]

after talking to you about the your PH issue...
i would have taken the rock and the ceramic ring for the start to eliminate the sand.
as i dont think amano will sell stuff that causes high PH.
the japs are to precise and polite to do something like that.
you can then add back the items and check the PH readings to pin-point the cause.
i'd hazard a guess to say that its most likely your rock thats causing the issue.

also, i hope you didnt toss all the water away and started from square one...
if you leave some of the water in there i'm sure the cycling will continue.

i think what gecko is trying to say is that your need a "critical" bioload to start the cycling process.
if the bioload is too low (ie two fish) the cycling process may be negligible.
some articles i've read mentioned throwing a pinch of fish food daily simulate the bioload.
fish poo as gecko suggest better, imho, as it will not fungus.
your filter will suck it in and "digest" it as the cycle starts.

when you water change for your other tank, i'd suggest you recycle the water to your new tank.
this way the bacteria and waste load will help kick start the cycling process faster.

or, use the white sponge from an old tank.

[wasabi8888]

I did throw away the water after the 100% change. Had to eliminate any cause of it... will re-starting again. The good thing is that you can wait. The bad thing is I cannot wait....

Testing water now. Just bought the Pinpoint PH meter. Let's see how it goes.

[Quixotic]

hmmm. Another interesting thought. How come 1 SAE not enough to cycle the tank? Isn't that what was advised? To cycle for 1 or 2 fishes for a 2 ft tank? Unless the fish chosen is wrong?

Probably because plecos are generally poo machines, so the rate ammonia is produced could be more than the current bacteria could handle.

If you intend to add the main occupants slowly into the tank, let's say at the rate of one or two per forthnight, then it should be fine.

Alternatively, you can feed more during the cycling period to introduce more waste, but just be mindful of the current occupants.

[wasabi8888]

Well, I think I will introduce some poo from my other pleco tank to expedite the cycling. At the same time, will dose BacterLife on a daily basis as well.

What is the ideal level for ammonia when the tank is cycled? How does one know when it's cycled?

[eeeeemo]

when ammonia goes to 0, followed by nitrite and then nitrate to 0.
then you test the system. by adding shrimps. if they survive for more than a week..
it should be cycled.. though the bacteria culture might not be strong yet. but its enough to add in your valued fishes.

[luenny]

Geezz ... reading this thread and seeing the report on house visit by PFK to Gecko?'s house has really tempted me to start keeping and try breeding pleco. Darn!

Jeff, keep us updated on the progress. If everything goes smoothly, I may be tempted to try.

[wasabi8888]

Luenny

Well, everything is OK now. Currently have 2 tanks.

1 Juwel 2 feet tank running on Eheim 2028. This currently houses 1 L134, 1 L128, 1 L236, 29 cardinal tetras, 3 Apistogrammas Agassizii Tefe and 1 Checkerboard.

1 30X30X40 cm tank running on Eheim 2211 and Eheim Liberty 100. This houses 4 L46 Juveniles and 3 farowella fries....

Just collected the L46 and farowella fries yesterday..

[celticfish]

wasabi8888,
Time for a new thread with the fish in the tank soon...

[luenny]

I agree. Time to post those photos.

[Savant]

Looking forward to updates here