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  L# Setting Up A 20 Gallon Long, Cycle Log
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SubscribeSetting Up A 20 Gallon Long, Cycle Log
djtj
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male usa
EditedEdited by djtj
Hey, I'm going to be setting a 20 long, no live plants, the filter is an aquaclear 50 with 2 sponges and biomax.

The fish I'm planning on are:
8 marbled hatchets
8 cardinal tetras
2 blue rams

The only thing i'm unsure as to this setup is how to cycle. I know these are are fragile, so i'm going with fishless. I tried a fishless before but gave up when it took too long. I'd be willing to start that again, i'd just need some help walking through it. I already have a bottle of pure ammonia and a dropper. Once I add the filter media and gravel tomorrow, i'm going to start the cycle log, i just need some suggestions as far as how much ammonia to add and how to deal with problems as they arise.
thanks,
- tom
Post InfoPosted 13-Nov-2006 03:51Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
Fallout
 
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Usually the 'recipe' is 4-5 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons daily until you get a nitrite peak, then you halve the dose until nitrate comes up and nitrite goes down. As for taking too long, a natrual cycle can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks, whereas a fishless cycle could take up to 3 weeks. It's not a HUGE timesaver, but it sure saves your fragile fish and is the best choice in most scenarios.

So for your tank, start off with 8 drops, come back in half an hour and test the water to see where the ammonia is. If it's not high enough, add the other two drops. This should be done every day to keep a supply of food for your fledgeling bacteria.
Post InfoPosted 14-Nov-2006 01:55Profile Homepage ICQ AIM MSN Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
djtj
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Fish Master
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EditedEdited by djtj
What is high enough?
and which kind fish should I add fish?
Post InfoPosted 14-Nov-2006 02:58Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Fallout
 
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High enough to get things started is usually 5ppm or so ammonia. Nitrite will usually peak out off the charts, but a spike of 3-5ppm should do it.

As for the fish, you could add them all at once, but i'd start off with the rams, then the hatchets and then neons.
Post InfoPosted 17-Nov-2006 10:01Profile Homepage ICQ AIM MSN Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
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