Marthy

I'm new as well and trying to read as much as possible here - I am going to tag my question on to Sarah's because I've had basically the exact same problems - very discouraging, but I'm not giving up yet.

My question is this - now that all of my fish (started with 7 in a 29 gallon tank) except for 1 (and he's not looking so good) have died, will my tank continue to cycle on it's own? The ammonia is high - hopefully peaked. Do I now just wait for it to finish on it's own - continue testing water, etc? I don't want to add any more fish unless I absolutely need to until the water is just right.

fishuz

Yes continue testing this is your only way of telling whats happening with the chemistry of your water...the beneficial bacteria will only grow large enough to filter the current amount of ammonia present so even though you get a reading of zero ammonia this dosn't mean you can add a bunch of fish at once every time you add a fish you kneed to give the bacteria time to build up

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30g FW
2 Cichlids
2 Barbs
2 Tetras
1 Chinese algae eater
77g FW
1Empty

Marthy

Thank you. I will definitely be taking it slow from here on out. Based on what I've read, I committed the ultimate beginner mistake - too many fish too soon.

How long would you recommend waiting between adding any new fish? I'm thinking first I'll get a couple of mollies...then another 4 weeks before adding a couple more?

fishuz

Trial and error...things will work out Fish Keeping is and art and in order to create good art you need to take time and use the right tools this Forum is a good place to start...Good luck Marthy

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30g FW
2 Cichlids
2 Barbs
2 Tetras
1 Chinese algae eater
77g FW
1Empty

Sarah84

The local LFS uses liquid tests in test tubes.. I want to get my own testing kit, here in Canada, the test kits are $50 at Petsmart. but I'm going to Bellingham this weekend, going to look and see if they are any cheaper.. (since they are 14 bucks on the website)

Marthy-These people are TONS of help and lots of useful information... I have learned so much in such little time(if only I knew all this stuff before I bought my fish tank). before i asked my Mom.. she had tanks years ago... and now, she laughs.. "you've become sooo educated on this whole fish tank thing"... My husband laughs at me now too, because I want a bigger tank

kilsbypearl

hey I am pretty new at all this too, but with the advice from LFS you gotta be careful...my husband and i tend to listen and get advice from many different stores and do research like this to try to do our very best because everyone makes mistakes!

Unfortunately you were misinformed but the best part is that with mistakes comes progress....if you stick it out and i think you will, you have had lots of positive encouragment from some good people on here who care about your situation!

Once a pet store said this puffer fish would be fine for our tank and it turned out he had ever growing teeth and ate everything in our tank...our poor cleaner shrimp! Anyways my advice is to get a lot of advice....like you are doing!

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Kilsbypearl

Marthy

Just thought I'd post a one week update - all my fish are officially gone.

Last one died on last Sunday - 6 days ago....tested water again today. Ammonia is still at 4.0. No Nitrites or nitrates. I'm willing to be as patient as I need to be, but just wondering from your past experience how many weeks before I should be seeing some cycling action?

Thanks!

Sarah84

Hi Marthy..
I seemed to have learned everything the hard way... I lost many a fish along the way.. my tank is now 8 weeks old.. and my fish are doing great, i've had the 1 female guppy and the 1 cory catfish for 4 weeks, and they are very healthy. Cycling can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks? (correct me please guys if i'm wrong) There's a "sticky" with lots of helpful information. weekly water changes, and lots of water tests until you get it right really(well that's what i did), until there's enough benificial bacteria in there to level out the system. I've learned a lot personally just reading on this forum

My tank is doing great now, I have live plants and they are thriving, i just added a few more plants and as well as my fish are doing great.. I added a 10 inch "bubble wall" today.. my one female guppy loves it!

I can't wait to get bigger, I think I'm getting a 30 gallon or so for xmas! going to make that into a community fish tank, and then i've been reading up alot of dwarf puffers..... maybe turn my 10gallon intoa home for one. Not sure yet =) One day at a time! (this whole fish hobby is addicting!)
Good luck hang in there!
Sarah

Marthy

So now almost another 2 weeks gone - ammonia still maxing out the test - no nitrites or nitrates yet. It's been 3 weeks since my fish all died and my water seems to be at the exact same level it was then - just curious as to how long it should take to continue to cycle? Sigh....

Sarah84

have you done any water changes? I would suggest a water change if you haven't. Have you added anymore fish? or?
If you have read the 'sticky' you need to feed the beneficial bactera to allow it to grow... there are a few methods.

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34 Gal SW Reef
55 Gal FW