Zebedee72s new tank

[Zebedee72]

Tank readings 24.01.13
Temperature 27deg
Ammonia 4ppm
 
 
Background added

[TropicalFishForums]

[lurch1000]

Looks like a castle moat theme with the castle wall behind it

[Zebedee72]

Was trying to get a natural look rather than a castle moat!
Better keep trying - the easter island statue probably doesn't help.

Tank readings 25.01.13
Temperature 28deg (tweaked the temp. up a touch)
Ammonia 4ppm
 

[lurch1000]

I'm only joshing about the wall, looks good! Never noticed the statue though!

[Zebedee72]

Hadrian's wall!
 

Tank readings 26.01.13
Temperature 28deg
Ammonia 4ppm
 

[Nams]

I know lots of people say cardinals are hardier than neons, but personally I'd say neons are better in a hard/alkaline water area. Also they're a little smaller, so less bioload for a small tank!

I've only had my neons just under 3 weeks, but so far they're the only fish I've had that I've not had any problems with in the first couple of weeks... 

[MartF]

I disagree, Cardinals are hardier than Neons and they also do better in hard water where they are less prone to Neon disease whereas the Neons do often go down with it after a few months in hard or very hard water.

Anyway, Cardinals are slightly bigger and a little better looking.

[Nams]

I disagree, Cardinals are hardier than Neons and they also do better in hard water where they are less prone to Neon disease whereas the Neons do often go down with it after a few months in hard or very hard water.

Anyway, Cardinals are slightly bigger and a little better looking.

Just giving my own opinion, I know many will disagree. My local MA, where I got my neons, have their cardinals in RO but the neons in tap water (pH around 8 and hard water). I know it's early days yet for my neons so I have yet to see how things turn out with them long-term, but just thought I'd give my opinion for what it's worth Also I personally prefer the neons' colouration to cardinals, and like the fact that they're a little smaller

[Zebedee72]

Mmmm, have done tonights readings and am rather sceptical!
 
Having prepared myself for the long run, my ammonia ppm have dropped and then took a reading for nitrites which have come in at 2ppm. I had a good squeeze of a filter sponge a few days ago, but was not expecting the below results.

I am using the API testing kit, are false readings possible?

Tank readings 27.01.13
Temperature 28deg
Ammonia 3ppm
Nitrites 2ppm
 

[lurch1000]

Very plausible. A 1ppm drop in ammonia will show as a 2.7ppm rise in nitrite. Allowing for inaccuracies in the test kits and reading the test kits, I'd say that's a thumbs up.

[Zebedee72]

 
Looking Good!

[Zebedee72]

Should I leave for 24 hours or top the ammonia back up to 4ppm?

[Zebedee72]

Though reading the tank preparation post on the front on the forum, I should be letting my ammonia ppm fall to 2 ppm as my nitrites are above 0.25?

4)      You should be testing your ammonia daily to ensure you’re adding the right amount. Once you’ve got it at 4 PPM, leave it there. Test it daily until you see it start to fall. As soon as it falls to 3 PPM, start adding more ammonia to keep the level at 4 PPM. Keep doing this, and start testing for nitrites.

5)      Keep testing ammonia and nitrites daily. As soon as the nitrites read above 0.25, reduce the amount of ammonia you are adding, so that you maintain the ammonia level at 2 PPM, instead of 4.

6)      Maintain the ammonia level at 2 PPM for about a week, while testing for nitrates. Your nitrates should start to rise.[/s][/s]

[Zebedee72]

Lurch / MartF - didn't get to Kesgrave Tropicals this weekend, hopefully will have more time next week.

[jackiemcg34]

cycle is looking good though they must have changed the instructions, used to be after the nitrites were at 5 then let the ammonia drop and top up to 2ppm, get another squeeze from your neighbour, you are flying through this