Mini cycle?

Lofus · #1 09-30-2003, 05:15 AM

I just added a 4" tang and two 1.5" clowns to my 30 gal QT and I noticed that the amonia level is creeping past 0 and nitrite hit 0.25 today. They went into the QT on Saturday.

At what levels of Amonia, Nitrite and Nitrate should I be looking at doing a water change? I don't want to mess too much with the water since they are just getting settled.

Thanks,

Jim

Aquattro · #2 09-30-2003, 05:16 AM

I would keep the levels at 0. A water change shouldn't be too invasive for them.

EmilyB · #3 09-30-2003, 05:28 AM

A four inch tang in a 30g..

Plus 3" of other fish?

And you don't want to water change?

If you want to stop by, send me a pm and I'll try to help.

Aquattro · #4 09-30-2003, 05:31 AM

To be honest, I would have just added him to the tank. If it gets stressed and needs treatment for ich, you'll probably experience the same thing when you move him into the main tank.

Jack · #5 09-30-2003, 05:36 AM

Was just gonna say the same thing Brad.

Is this QT uncycled or have any filtration? That tang can be known to be sensitive.

Lofus · #6 09-30-2003, 04:26 PM

The QT is 30 gal was and has an Aquaclear 150 and two sponge filters one sized for a 10 gal, the other for a 20 gal. It was set up and cycled using two cocktail shrimp. Three months before the fish showed up. Performed a 50% water change prior to introduction of the fish.

I broke out my ruler and no compensating for paralax on the glass, the Tang is 3" not 4".

None of the fish are showing signs of stress.

Lofus · #7 09-30-2003, 04:30 PM

The main tank is 72gal bowfront with 100 lbs of LR and 3" LS. It has been up for six months. Currently stocked with four green chromis (1.5 - 2").

Lofus · #8 10-06-2003, 06:21 PM

Well the mini-cycle is over. I monitored my nitrites over the past week and performed a 30% water change every other day. I also stopped feeding the fish mysis shrimp for three days and made sure that they had some nori available if they got peckish.

As of Sunday morning, my nitrites are back to 0 and the fish are still showing no signs of stress. I started feeding mysis again last night. So far so good.

I have made sure I rinse the shrimp once they have thawed so that I'm not dumping in any unnessary nutrients other then what the fish will consume.

Thanks for everyones input.

Jack · #9 10-06-2003, 09:21 PM

Sounds like you did everything right! Good to hear the fish and tank are doing good.