Big Trouble With My Cycle

[needhelp]

Help, I purchased a 75 gallon tank oover two weeks ago. My LFS told me i could cycle my tank with a picasso trigger and a niger trigger. Afterward, I learned this is a big mistake. They have been doing well up until this weekend. My niger appears to have a scratch on his eye, and now hides whenever i look in the tank. Now all of a sudden my picasso has been scratching against coral. It does not look like ich. Could it be from agression in the tank during feeding time? Also, my lfs told me they cannot take the fish back. Now i will never use that store again. I know if i add medication to my tank it will slow down or even stop the cycle. So should i just leave the fish in and see what happens? Help! My salinity is at 1.24, ph-8.2, ammonia-.25. nitrates-.25

 

[mr . salty]

Here's the tough but honest truth...Your fish will most likly NOT survive the cycling process...If you can not find an established tank to move them too as quickly as possible,They will not last long.Even though these are pretty hardy fish,they can not tollerate the high/deadly levels of ammonia and nitrate you allready have...

 

[falcon63]

shark said it all. run to the closest tank you can find or you will lose fish

 

[katherine]

Why don't you set up a temporary rubbermaid container and put your fish in. At least you can do daily water changes to maintain your ammonia at 0. I purchased a clear 17 gallon tupperware at K-mart for $8.00, put an airstone for oxygenation and water movement and used this to keep my fish safely until they were ready to be put in the tank.
I cannot believe your lfs told you to use those fish to cycle. <img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />
I just hope it's not too late.
Good luck. Next time use a couple of cocktail shrimp (the ones you eat) to cycle. I personally used maturation liquid, and it worked for me; but, I've read several times just to use the shrimp.
Hope this helps.
Katherine

 

[katherine]

Forgot to add that if you do use the tupperware container, vacuum or clean up all the waste at the bottom. I just used a net. They usually do their thing right after eating so I didn't have to wait long to clean up. Also, don't feed too much so that the water stays cleaner longer. I just fed mine once a day.

 

[needhelp]

Thanks for the help guys. Guess what the scratch on my Niger's eye completely went away but he still hides when i am in the room. Also, my Picasso isn't scratching, they look like they will pull through. I think i am going to do the rubbermaid trick. Thanks a million!!!

 

[ohscc]

If you want to be a successful hobbist you must do research before diving in.
If you would have you would not be cycling with fish at all. There are so many other ways to cycle ( LS, LR, dead shrimp) that are better for your pocket and the fish. IMO you should never cycle with fish. I am not just talking to you I am trying to stop everyone else who does the same thing you have done. This is not an attack on you just trying to inform others.

 

[wrassecal]

Yeah but to his credit, I think there are many of us that when told by our LFS that they are experts and will get us going we are going to believe them until our first major problem. Not everyone that starts sw knows to first run to the computer and look for a bb of hobbyists. Most beginner books I've seen are already outdated. I did not find this bb until after I started and then only because I was searching for online supplies. Luckily, my LFS is an expert and has never done me wrong. I get very mad at all these LFS that steer people wrong to make a sale, but I never get upset with new people who mistakenly take their advise until first problem comes up. Needhelp, I hope you find a way for your fish to survive and I'm glad you found this board to help you now and in the future.

 

[katherine]

Debi,
This was well said. I too came across this bb by accident, unfortunately after I had already made some mistakes due to my lfs. Beth, Terry, Ed, and others have helped me in several occasions.
When we made our first purchase, our lfs told us we could "safely" put a purple tang, regal blue tang, trunk cubicus (all at the same time) in our 35 gallon tank. We like idiots believed him and suffered great headaches as well as heartaches...you can imagine!!!
To anyone starting with this hobby my only advice is to read as much as you can before you make any additions or changes to your tank. Stock very slow!!