Setting up 125g Cyprichromis Coloratus Jumbo Yellow tank after re-sealing

[olliesshop]

I just put water in my resealed 125g, to see if it leaks or not.  It's been 5 hours, so I'm hoping it's OK.

The plan is to start cycling tonight or tomorrow, with the canister filter I had on the tank before it started leaking.  I've been keeping the filter going on a big tub with gravel and my plants in them.  I'm hoping the bacteria is still OK, since I have the Cyps in a separate 29g tank (WAY too small, but that's what I had). 

I've done a lot of research on MCA and the net about cycling and I'm wondering if it would be helpful to use Tetra SafeStart or TLC StartSmart to help get the water parameters back in order?  Or should I just wait for the tank to cycle, while adding ammonia?  I'd like to get it cycled ASAP, since my Cyps are very cramped in the 29g.

FYI ... I got the Cyps from Tony back in April, as F-1's.  They were 2" long and now they're almost 4".  I sure hope they survive this ordeal, since I now have 6 Cyps left, because 2 died from being in too small of a tank, I think. 

Thanks for any wisdom!

[Steve]

Did you have a good number of plants in the tub with the filter? I know plants will keep the BB alive but from what I have read it takes quite a few plants to do the job when an outside ammonia source (fish) are not present, so you may experience a mini-cycle. Have you tested the water parms in the tub just to see what they read yet?

I have found the TLC Smart Start complete to be probably the best of the cycling additives on the market. When I set up my 265g a few weeks ago I seeded the filters and used Smart Start as well. I found I had to do 50% daily WC's for the first week to keep the Nitrite from reaching .25 in 24hrs, but after the first week the BB took hold and now it simply produces nitrate like it should. 

[olliesshop]

I do have a bunch of plants in the tub, so I hope it's kept the BB alive ...




I haven't tested the water yet.  I'll do that today, I hope.  Right now, though, the 29g and the tub have the old aquarium water and bio-media, so I hope they're close to what they should be.

I think I'll go out and try to buy some of the TLC Smart Start this afternoon and add it when I put the canister filter on the 125g.

Thank you for the quick help Steve!

[cranialdisturbance]

What about just using the filter from the 29 and the canister on the 125? A 125 is such a large tank for 6 fish that size as long as you have some bacteria to start with you should be fine. Just take it easy feeding for the first week. What is the gallons per hour on the canister? If it isnt rated at 400+ you will need a second filter anyways.

[olliesshop]

This evening I moved the canister filter over to the 125g and put in the gravel & plants.  I also put in 1ppm ammonia to help the cycle.

I really hope I'm worrying about this too much and it will go smooth.  I just want to be as sure as possible, since I'm paranoid about loosing the fish now that I lost two in the 29g. 

On the canister filter, it's an API  XP FILSTAR L with 350gph, good for up to 175g.  I've been using it on the tank for over 4 years now and it's worked great, even when I had hundreds of Neolamprologus Brichardi in the tank.  So I hope it will be OK.

I'll start checking the water parameters tomorrow to see how it's going.  I also bought some TLC StartSmart today that I plan on putting in when I add the fish, if you think that's a good idea.

Thank you for the advice!

[olliesshop]

FYI, here's a picture of how the tank looks now ...



I still have to add the rock piles on the left and right and get the covers clean on put back on.

It's really exciting to get it put back together.  I just hope it doesn't leak again.

[Steve]

Check the parameters tomorrow and see what they are. If the colony of BB is still good then it should convert 1ppm of ammonia that you dosed today within 24hrs and you should have no ammonia, no nitrite and a slight nitrate reading. If you still have some ammonia tomorrow then add the Smart Start tomorrow and wait 24hrs then add the fish and check ammonia & nitrite levels for the next week doing WC's as needed to keep them down.

Tank looks good

[olliesshop]

Thanks Steve.  So I'll start daily testing this afternoon and see where the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are.  I also want to verify pH, kH, gH, dH to make sure they're close to the 29g, to hopefully minimize the shock.  I'll also plan on putting in the Smart Start before I put the fish in.

I'm just prayin it will be a smooth transition for the Cyps.  They sure will be happy to be back in the big tank.  I also need to put the rocks back in and get the tank tidied up.

[Regalblue]

Sounds like everything is figured out.  Hoping everything works out in your favor.

[olliesshop]

Sounds like everything is figured out.  Hoping everything works out in your favor.

Thanks Blair ... it sure has been a long journey.  Thanks for the help!

I have the tank all set up now with the covers, rocks and plants.  I decided to not put the 2 Holey Rocks back in to leave more space for the plants to grow.  Now I just have to add the Cyps when it's time.  I just tested my water and the readings were just like Steve was saying, ammonia was 0ppm, nitrites were 0ppm and Nitrates were 2-3ppm.  So it looks like the cycle is working, right?  So should I still add the TLC Smart Start or should I move ahead with putting the Cyps in without it?  If I don't use Smart Start would it be OK to add the Cyps tomorrow, assuming the ammonia is 0ppm again?

[Steve]

How many Cyps are you putting in it? If you are heavily stocking it then it won't hurt to add the Start Smart to it at all that's for sure. If your not stocking super heavy right off the bat then you should be good as is without adding the Smart Start. Since your going to wait till tomorrow to add fish I'd go ahead and dose it again with .5-1ppm of ammonia again. It'll be gone by tomorrow again and that'll just help to let you know 100% for sure that it's good to go.

[Regalblue]

Steve, It's only 6 Cyps

[Steve]

Ah, missed that the first time. I'd say you're good to go then for sure

[kodyboy]

nice looking tank!

[olliesshop]

How many Cyps are you putting in it? If you are heavily stocking it then it won't hurt to add the Start Smart to it at all that's for sure. If your not stocking super heavy right off the bat then you should be good as is without adding the Smart Start. Since your going to wait till tomorrow to add fish I'd go ahead and dose it again with .5-1ppm of ammonia again. It'll be gone by tomorrow again and that'll just help to let you know 100% for sure that it's good to go.

Thanks again Steve ... that's good news about the Smart Start.  I did add another 1ppm of ammonia yesterday afternoon, so I'll check it again this afternoon and then maybe add the Cyps.  I'm very nervous, but very excited too.