Noob help please

[Mex330]

I just bought a 14g tank that I want to set up and get ready for some DPs that hopefully get here Thursday to a Lfs . Now what all should I do to get the cycle started for them to be moved in to it when I get them? Thanks

[JRC3]

It's gonna take longer than six days to establish your tank. Is there any chance that the LFS can give you some established media for your filter. Or ask on Craigslist if someone has some established media.


I wish fish stores had common filter cartridges running to sell to new fish buyers...This would be a true instant cycle. But that wouldn't sell as many fish.

[Mex330]

Well I'll ask but is there anything in particular I should ask for? So even if I start now is there now way I can make it safe for them by then?

[Pufferpunk]

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=29296
viewtopic.php?f=68&t=29470

[JRC3]

For example, I keep different sized pieces of sponge in an established running filter. (see the different pieces of sponge in the middle layer) above the bottom solid sponge. http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... CI0063.jpg

The ceramic filter media in the top bag will also work to seed any part of a new filter. Placed in water flow in front of the new sponge or cartridge, or mixed with other ceramic rings. These: http://0.tqn.com/d/saltaquarium/1/0/P/g ... -rings.jpg

I wish that LFS would provide any of these two for sale. Actually my Petland offers established bioballs for sale but they aren't practical for most hang on filters...But they will work in something like this. http://www.ventralfins.com/images/mac_ac_filter.JPG The great AquaClear. And the Petland bioballs aren't cheap from what I remember.

[Mex330]

But worst case scenario. If they don't. Is there anything I can add? I was told to add some API Tap Water Conditioner and some fish food to help stimulate the bacterias. And that it would be safe to acclimate and add then when I got them

[puffykid]

No, if you don't have the time to establish bacteria the ammonia way either get bacteria as suggested above or use tetra safe start immediately before adding the fish.

[Mex330]

Well I'll try to get some material but I'll get some tetra safe start just to be careful. So should I just set everything up, add water conditioner to start things and some fish food like I said above, then add the safe start before I add them? Sorry I'm being complicated I just dont want to mess things up for my puffers

[puffykid]

I think it takes about 2 weeks to get a tank cycled, I have a feeling adding fish food with such a short time span will work against you as it'll pollute the tank but not add the bacteria so you'll have to clean the tank before adding. I would suggest just buying the tetra safe start, plan out all the decor and set up get prime for water conditioner it locks up nitrates so that it doesn't harm the fish and is a favorite among this forum. Get the tank set up and just before you add the dps put in the tetra safe start add prime and don't wc for a 48 hours approx so the bacteria can establish. Make sure you sex the dps using dwarfpuffers.com and try to keep in the ratio 1 male to 3 females or there may be some aggression.

[Mex330]

Alright. I can do that. I'll be sure to add pics when I get everything all set up and when I get them. Thanks!!

[PufferMe!]

I think you are going to be in a world of hurt setting this tank up with DP's without cycling first. These fish are not meant to withstand the cycling process, and it's not good for any fish, really. I disagree with 2 weeks. It can take as many as 6 weeks, hopefully only 4. Be armed with ammonia, and nitrite test kits if you are doing this, and test your water daily. Be prepared to do water changes daily, and us Prime as your water conditioner. I've heard good things about tetra safe start, but that is not a guarantee. Ask if you can get some of their substrate. Put that in a fine mesh bag and put the bag in the filter. If you can get any filter media from them (a piece of sponge, etc) that would be good too. Stores are funny about doing that, because the person who said, they wouldn't sell as many fish is right Substrate would also be good though. You can buy the mesh bag from them, and their making money

Best of luck! They are cute little things. Welcome to the forum!

Gwen

[Mex330]

Well I have some prime I can use. So just fill it with water hat day. And add the prime just before I add the fish?

[puffykid]

Ya, Tetra safe start is safe to use to instant cycle a tank. Just used it on an empty 29 gallon that I cleaned the day I added my puffer and without using established media.

Sevenyearnight also did a day by day water parameter check on her water conditions and found that tetra safe start instant cycles the tank, the thread is still available to read.

[Flutter]

Use the Safe Start when you add the fish and don't do a water change for at least two days. Prime is used to dechlorinate the water when you do water changes but when overdosed (~4x the normal dose) it can protect the fish from excess ammonia and nitrites.

It would be best if you had test kits for at least ammonia and nitrite so you can monitor these daily for the next few weeks. Other than on the first two days if you detect any ammonia and nitrites do a water change. The reason you shouldn't do a water change for the first couple days when using the Safe Start is to ensure that the bacteria have left the water column and settle down in your filter media, gravel, plants, etc.

Beyond the first few days we recommend 50% water changes once per week.

[puffykid]

+1