Regular Member Lola_Granola Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 It's day #9 of Herman's tank/tub cycle and I've noticed his behavior is rather off. He's afraid of us now when he used to almost pop out of the water from excitement from a visit. He's tossing the gravel out of the cup the plant is in (the tub is otherwise bare) somehow managing to knock a marble out from under the plant in the gravel. Might this have to do with the chemical changes that are afoot in the water/filter? (This is my first cycle as his previous tank was so tiny, I did almost 100% water changes daily until I got the bigger tub/tank.) Parameters as follows: [*]Ammonia Level? 0.25 [*]Nitrite Level? 0 [*]Nitrate level? 0 [*]Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.8 (KH 100) [*]Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.6 (KH 80) [*]Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? API Drops [*]Water temperature? 70 [*]Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? 15 gallon tank/tub Day #9 [*]What is the name and size of the filter(s)? Whisper 30 with small handful of coral pieces added [*]How often do you change the water and how much? Daily, enough to keep NH3 @ .25 during cycle (usually 30 - 50%) with water that's conditioned, temp/pH matched and aged for 24 hours [*]How many fish in the tank and their size? One, about 2 1/2 inches [*]What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime [*]What do you feed your fish and how often? Twice daily (sparingly): alternating with sinking pellets, blood worms, peas, algae discs (small pieces) [*]Any new fish added to the tank? No [*]Any medications added to the tank? No [*]Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? No [*]Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? As above I know I need to keep the NH3 at or below 0.25 as the tub/tank temp stays around 70 degrees F as per the NH3 chart so that's what I've been aiming for. Thanks in advance you guys! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Choochoo Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 It's day #9 of Herman's tank/tub cycle and I've noticed his behavior is rather off. He's afraid of us now when he used to almost pop out of the water from excitement from a visit. He's tossing the gravel out of the cup the plant is in (the tub is otherwise bare) somehow managing to knock a marble out from under the plant in the gravel. Might this have to do with the chemical changes that are afoot in the water/filter? (This is my first cycle as his previous tank was so tiny, I did almost 100% water changes daily until I got the bigger tub/tank.) Parameters as follows: [*]Ammonia Level? 0.25 [*]Nitrite Level? 0 [*]Nitrate level? 0 [*]Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.8 (KH 100) [*]Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.6 (KH 80) [*]Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? API Drops [*]Water temperature? 70 [*]Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? 15 gallon tank/tub Day #9 [*]What is the name and size of the filter(s)? Whisper 30 with small handful of coral pieces added [*]How often do you change the water and how much? Daily, enough to keep NH3 @ .25 during cycle (usually 30 - 50%) with water that's conditioned, temp/pH matched and aged for 24 hours [*]How many fish in the tank and their size? One, about 2 1/2 inches [*]What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime [*]What do you feed your fish and how often? Twice daily (sparingly): alternating with sinking pellets, blood worms, peas, algae discs (small pieces) [*]Any new fish added to the tank? No [*]Any medications added to the tank? No [*]Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? No [*]Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? As above I know I need to keep the NH3 at or below 0.25 as the tub/tank temp stays around 70 degrees F as per the NH3 chart so that's what I've been aiming for. Thanks in advance you guys! Your water params look fine. You can do 50% water changes every other day until it cycles You will be safe because prime will bind the ammonia for 48 hours 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Captain Findus Goldfish Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 How much patience do you have? Since you aren't showing Nitrites or Nitrates yet, you are very early in the cycle. So maybe you can do a fishless cycle in your new tank? Does that tank have a filter as well? I totally prefer fishless cycles - I also feel that you get real strong cycles like that. My tank cycled 4ppm ammonia in 6-12 hrs. I added in 6 fish (one at a time) and it has been rock solid. This way you would also avoid stressing little Herman? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member shellbell4ever Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 I'm sure he's stressing a bit...Just keep up with the w/c's and he should calm down as the water conditions improve Poor baby 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Lola_Granola Posted October 31, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 Thanks you guys! Thanks for checking my params Garibaldi. I was afraid that he might be stressing a bit. Frederica, I am planning on a fishless cycle for our new tank. I've already been prepping Little Breeches (and myself) for the wait. I've got both the tank stand and the filters (two 50 UC's) on order and intend to get started as soon as they come in. (Can't wait!) After seeing how even mild amounts of NH3 can alter his little behavior, I will for sure be going the fishless route. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member npila1 Posted October 31, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 31, 2010 It's day #9 of Herman's tank/tub cycle and I've noticed his behavior is rather off. He's afraid of us now when he used to almost pop out of the water from excitement from a visit. He's tossing the gravel out of the cup the plant is in (the tub is otherwise bare) somehow managing to knock a marble out from under the plant in the gravel. Might this have to do with the chemical changes that are afoot in the water/filter? (This is my first cycle as his previous tank was so tiny, I did almost 100% water changes daily until I got the bigger tub/tank.) Parameters as follows: [*]Ammonia Level? 0.25 [*]Nitrite Level? 0 [*]Nitrate level? 0 [*]Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.8 (KH 100) [*]Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)? 7.6 (KH 80) [*]Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? API Drops [*]Water temperature? 70 [*]Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? 15 gallon tank/tub Day #9 [*]What is the name and size of the filter(s)? Whisper 30 with small handful of coral pieces added [*]How often do you change the water and how much? Daily, enough to keep NH3 @ .25 during cycle (usually 30 - 50%) with water that's conditioned, temp/pH matched and aged for 24 hours [*]How many fish in the tank and their size? One, about 2 1/2 inches [*]What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime [*]What do you feed your fish and how often? Twice daily (sparingly): alternating with sinking pellets, blood worms, peas, algae discs (small pieces) [*]Any new fish added to the tank? No [*]Any medications added to the tank? No [*]Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? No [*]Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? As above I know I need to keep the NH3 at or below 0.25 as the tub/tank temp stays around 70 degrees F as per the NH3 chart so that's what I've been aiming for. Thanks in advance you guys! I just moved one of mine in a new tank because he was harassing the others, so the new tank is cycling and he's showing the same behavior as yours (even though the water test I just did showed 0 ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates). I have no idea how I'm going to change his water tomorrow when he's so scared! I don't want to stress him out... I hope Herman feels better soon 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporter Helen Posted November 1, 2010 Supporter Share Posted November 1, 2010 good luck with your new fishless cycle lola.. and i hope herman feels better soon!. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Lola_Granola Posted November 1, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 1, 2010 I just moved one of mine in a new tank because he was harassing the others, so the new tank is cycling and he's showing the same behavior as yours (even though the water test I just did showed 0 ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates). I have no idea how I'm going to change his water tomorrow when he's so scared! I don't want to stress him out... I hope Herman feels better soon So glad to hear this is a finding others are seeing with the cycle, hope your little friend feels better as well! good luck with your new fishless cycle lola.. and i hope herman feels better soon!. Thanks Stakos! I'm looking forward to learning and doing things right from the beginning this time! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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