i have cycled my tank for about 2 weeks and the ph is fine the ammonia is just above 0 is that fine? and i just added 2 fish will they be ok? and how do i know if there happy or not?
2007-01-28 05:10:36 · 6 answers · asked by daz1190 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
The above poster is almost right. The only acceptable levels of ammonia and nitrite is 0. It is impossible for most fish keepers to achieve nitrate levels of 0 so don't worry about that, levels up to about 50 are perfectly acceptable for most fish.
How did you cycle the tank for 2 weeks? If you just filled the tank wit water and let it sit, then nothing has been cycling- you need a source of ammonia in the tank to begin the cycle, which means the tank has only just begun to cycle when you added these 2 fish.
We don't know how big your tank is or what kind of fish you added, or how big they are, so it's hard to tell how much danger your fish are in. Keep the ammonia levels minimal through regular water changes - yes this will prolong the length of the cycle, but it will also keep the fish alive. Do not clean the filter until the cycle is complete, and do not add any more fish.
When you are sure the ammonia and nitrite levels have stabilized at 0, you are ready to add more fish. A typical cycle takes 4-6 weeks. Add new fish carefully, only a couple at at time and allowing a week in between additions for the bacteria to catch up to the new bio-load.
You will know the fish are happy because they are active, eat well, and don't exhibit signs of stress such as clamped fins, gasping at the surface, or inflamed gills.
2007-01-28 07:26:19 · answer #1 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ammonia, nitrate or nitrite at anything other then zero is NOT ok. You should not have added fish yet, if you did not use a biological enhancer (such a Hagan's Cycle) you're tank is no where near complete cycling. Your fish are likely going to die of a nitrogen cycle spike. I just can't predict right now what component will be the killer.
Good luck to you and your fish.
Fish are happy in a healthy, natural enviroment free of artificial objects, colours, dyes and chemicals. If you used a natural substrate NO coloured gravel, all live plants with clean rocks and wood for decoration, with proper lighting and filtration... you fish will be happy, when the water parameters are proper as well.
2007-01-28 13:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are fish happy? If they live and swim around I guess they are happy.
2007-01-28 13:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That should be good, but make sure the fish are swimming normally.
2007-01-28 13:14:05 · answer #4 · answered by TheKraken22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ghapy nails this one 100%!!
I could type away and say the same stuff, but just consider this a copy of that post.
2007-01-28 16:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-01-28 13:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by riri 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋