So, I broke down and bought my first liquid test kit as water readings seem to be a primary thing whilst possessing fish.

Here are my readings:

Ph: 7.6
High Range Ph: 8.0
Ammonia: 0.50
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 20

Ive had this tank up and running for about 3 - 4 weeks w/the oscar in it. [no, I didn't realize the significance in cycling the tank until afterward] Ive been adding stresszyme to the tank and have substituted the carbon in my filter for bio-balls.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

EDIT:

my tank is 60 gallons and contains:
1 - 6 inch pleco
1 - 6 inch oscar
5 mosquito feeders that I think are becoming tankmates rather than food 0.5 - 1 inch in length

What kind of filter are you using? GPH?

You should have readings of Ammonia-0 Nitrite-0 Nitrate under 40ppm
And your PH is good...

I would do a water change of about 30% today... And keep testing everyday.

Okay, you don't need to test higher range pH, only low, yours seems okay. However, Looks like you are certainly getting somewhere with your cycle, not quite there just yet. I would keep doing what you're doing and it won't be long before everything will be fine.Unfortunately, you are a little overstocked for the size of your tank. Once those fish get much bigger, I think he will have to re-home the pleco if you have got one of the big ones, that isn't an order by the way, just a suggestion.

Nicki--Sue wrote:


Im using a tetra whisper which is set up so 30-45 gallons (which means I need another one, or a new one, in the works btw) and Im not sure about the gph. However, I have a water pump with a filter that has 315gph. Its been in the tank about a week now, I think. Ive been doing little water changes daily to vacuum up the poo... or 30% daily?


OFL wrote:


*cough* she *cough* Yeah, once the pleco gets too big Ill rehome him..., its a sailfin so Im assuming it will get gigantic eventually. If Fluffy eats the feeders that will cut down on those fish too!

I do apologise "she". However, it is my speech recognition that inadvertently put down "he" instead of "you"

OFL wrote:


I never could get the speech recognition type set on my laptop... I just type the old-fashioned way.

If i were you i would do 25% daily water changes until your tank is cycled (ammonia and nitrite zero and nitrate below 40)

X2 on too many fish

delboybully wrote:
too many fish means the pleco in there, right? because the feeders are just that. feeders.

Yeah, if we'd advice to take the oscar out, we'd better be called "PlecoFishLover.com"

And feeders can live a long life in the same tank as an oscar, but don't add that much to the bioload. The pleco will add significantly to the bioload.

A sailfin pleco is preferrably kept in an 6'+ tank, once they start getting big.

Noddy wrote:


Really? I thought the pleco kept the tank under control w/algae..


LOL!! plecolovers.com ....

todays tests:

PH: 7.6
Amm: 0.50
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 5.0

Well if your worried about maintnence you could get snails, they act almost like plecos but are smaller and arent too active during the day. They eat algae, leftover food, and maybe even crap idk lol. I dont think they add to much to the bioload eather someone correct me if im wrong though.

dwencl wrote:


Keep doing the water changes. I learned the hard way about a cycled tank. If it wasn't for the advice on this site, Penn, Nicki, Noddy... my fish would be dead by now.

The pleco will keep the algae under control. I am with Noddy and love the little creatures... and love the plecolovers.com idea!! However, they do add to your bioload. If you don't mind a little extra work, you can keep them and the tank levels happy. I have a 10" pleco in with my 2 oscars and jack dempsey. My tank stays happy with my weekly water change. HOWEVER, half way through the week, I do take my net and stir up the poop and scoop it out. It does help.

Remember... Ammonia and Nitrites... 0.0 are the magic numbers!