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Posted by Altum on April 20, 2006, 9:32 pm
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Mister Gardener wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:48:03 GMT, "MEAlston"
>
>> I don't have a test kit yet...and probably won't 'till next month ordering
>> it online. I have a 55 gal with the power filter (30/60). Money is way way
>> tight these days. We're beyond squeaking. I've performed 4 water changes
>> since the tank was first setup with 6 gallons each change. I know of a good
>> charity where anyone can donate test kits and cannister filters....;o
>>
> I'm going to step aside and let one of our resident pros explain how
> to cycle without a test kit. Just wait a few, someone will be along
> shortly. Meanwhile, feed your fish very lightly and don't turn your
> filter off.
Tanks with about one small fish per 5 gallons usually take about six
weeks to fully cycle. Two bettas in 55 gallons will take somewhat
longer, but the cycle will be very mild for them. It's a good way to
cycle a tank.
Ignore the cloudy water - it's completely normal in new tanks and comes
from minerals and nutrients in your tap water. The more water you
change, the longer it will stay cloudy. It will also go yellowish from
Mister Gardener wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:48:03 GMT, "MEAlston"
>
>> I don't have a test kit yet...and probably won't 'till next month ordering
>> it online. I have a 55 gal with the power filter (30/60). Money is way way
>> tight these days. We're beyond squeaking. I've performed 4 water changes
>> since the tank was first setup with 6 gallons each change. I know of a good
>> charity where anyone can donate test kits and cannister filters....;o
>>
> I'm going to step aside and let one of our resident pros explain how
> to cycle without a test kit. Just wait a few, someone will be along
> shortly. Meanwhile, feed your fish very lightly and don't turn your
> filter off.
Tanks with about one small fish per 5 gallons usually take about six
weeks to fully cycle. Two bettas in 55 gallons will take somewhat
longer, but the cycle will be very mild for them. It's a good way to
cycle a tank.
Ignore the cloudy water - it's completely normal in new tanks and comes
from minerals and nutrients in your tap water. The more water you
change, the longer it will stay cloudy. It will also go yellowish from
the driftwood. Activated carbon will clear out the yellow color.
Most folks come to this newsgroup with four platies and five neons in a
10 gallon tank and we tell them to change water like crazy. Bacteria
can't grow fast enough to keep up with the fish. You're in a very
different situation with two bettas in 55 gallons. If you keep changing
water, you're never going to build up enough ammonia and nitrite to grow
bacteria.
So...stop changing water and watch your fish. Bettas are very sturdy
little fish. If they start darting around for no reason and their gills
go purplish, it's ammonia poisoning and you need to change about 1/3 of
the water and watch them for the next few days. If they're suddenly
lethargic in a few weeks and hang at the bottom of the tank, it's
nitrite. Change some water and add 1 tsp salt/5 gallons of water. I
really doubt you'll see any toxicity.
Once you buy test kits, you can follow things more closely and decide
when to add your cories. You might also want to consider some live
low-light plants like java fern and java moss. They really help to
improve the water quality.
Anyway, relax. You've got only two bettas in a very big tank and they're
going to be just fine. :-)
--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com
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