Tank cycling

[chris]

Would this tank be ready, 2 foot one internal fluval runing for about 6 months one sponge filter running nearly two weeks, gravel which is coming out tomorrow. 1 gold fish that I have been pumping flake into it,
Tank temp is 29 degrees. Fluval due to come out soon but I could keep it in longer whilst The pair are getting used to tank and surroundings.
What readings do I look for when A tank is properly cycled :?:
At the moment I have slight amonia trace 0 nitrite and nitrates.

[ctvu]

Would this tank be ready?....
What readings do I look for when A tank is properly cycled :?:
.

Hi Chirs

Idealy Ammo = 0.0, Nitrite = 0.0, Nitrate = 0.0

HTH

ctvu

[leanne31]

Chris you should be getting 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and be showing a reading of nitrates how often are you doing water changes etc on that tank.

[chris]

Water changes every 2 days bout 20%, just a bit concerned if the tank will be ready to roll after gravel taken out, might wait little longer and take more readings after gravel is out.

[Merrilyn]

yes, that's a good idea. I'd like to see at least some reading of nitrate, and a zero ammonia reading.

Just stop your water changes for a few days, and see what happens to the ammonia and nitrate levels.

Remove the gravel as planned, and continue to take your readings. I'd wait a bit longer before I put the discus pair in there, at least till we get a zero ammonia.

[chris]

Thanks merrilyn and leanne its good to have some back up support.
Cheers :!: :wink:

[chris]

Gravels out :!: slight Amonia traces 0 nitates 0 nitrites,
Things have changed at the moment my Turq pair have got plenty of free swimming fry , I think with all there practice they have had, they got it right in my comunity tank, this time they spwaned close to a tank corner and are looking after the fry beautifully. This is the longest they have lasted, so if they last a week I will try and stick them in my breeding tank. With the pair and see what happens.
It is sad to see them not make but who knows what will happen :!:

[Merrilyn]

Wow, great news Chris. If you decide to transfer the pair over with their fry, try to take 2/3 of the water from the community tank so as not to shock the fry. It can be done, and I have done it myself. Move the fry first, then the parents. If you take the parents first, the fry will scatter, and you'll never catch them.

Use a very soft net with fine mesh, and have them out of the water for a short a time as possible.

[chris]

Merrilyn are you saying I could do this strait away :!:
That would be cool :twisted:

[Merrilyn]

Tiny fry are so delicate, it's best if you can give them a few more days.

But if it's a choice between that and being eaten.........................I think I'd try. JMHO

[chris]

Fry all gone over night, not to worry, other tank nearly ready.
Im still using two filters at the moment, I might leave the two in for a while and take the filter out after the pair have been in for 4 to 5 days.

[leanne31]

Leave the 2 filters in with the pair and test your water when you get 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and a reading of nitrates your be fine to remove one but must keep an eye on your readings after you have done this.