My new 55g

[locojay]

I tried to start this tank up by using filters from my established 20g and only adding the 6 harlies. Figured if I added some live bacteria and stocked slowly everything would be ok. Ya right.

After a few days the ammonia wasn't coming down. Found out my tap has an ammonia level of .25 (didn't help). The harlies weren't looking well so before I lost any of them I moved them to my 20g. My 20g is little bit crowded now but everyones looking healthy and as I said no fish were lost.

So now I'm doing the fishless cycle that I should have done in the first place. As soon as it's done the harlies will return to the 55g and I will continue stocking.

[locojay]

I'm starting my 3rd week of the fishless cycle and I have algae. I've never seen it come so fast. I'm worried that by the time this thing is done cycling it's going to be overgrown with algae. A couple of the articles that I read about fishless cycling said to leave the lights on around the clock to help speed the process. I don't know if it's speeding up the cycle but it sure has the algae coming pretty quick.

As of 3 days ago my ammonia is going to zero daily after a good dose of liquid ammonia. My nitrates and nitrites are both thru the roof right now.

I guess my one of the first additions will be the 6 ottos. Will these guys take care of the algae on the silk plants?

Any suggestions on algae control thru the cycle would be greatly appreciated.

[Puffer Pita]

IME leaving the lights on does nothing to speed up the cycle. I'd turn them off.

What kind of algae is it? On silk plants, just remove them and scrub them off.

[robyn]

Originally Posted by locojay

I guess my one of the first additions will be the 6 ottos. Will these guys take care of the algae on the silk plants?

Any suggestions on algae control thru the cycle would be greatly appreciated.

im no expert, but i have read that otto's are very sensitive fish and its better to add them to an established tank, but iv never kept them before, so i dnt know

[locojay]

Originally Posted by Boxermom

IME leaving the lights on does nothing to speed up the cycle. I'd turn them off.

What kind of algae is it? On silk plants, just remove them and scrub them off.

I think your right BM, I doubt the lights are doing much for the cycle. I'm going to start turning them off. It's just starting but it looks like regular green algae.

Originally Posted by robyn

im no expert, but i have read that otto's are very sensitive fish and its better to add them to an established tank, but iv never kept them before, so i dnt know

Now that you mention it, I think so too. I guess I'll be taking the plants out and cleaning them from time to time and scrubing the glass for the first few months.

[locojay]

I got driftwood! After hours of boiling and weeks of soaking, here it is:







I don't think my camera really does it justice but there it is. I like this piece alot, it provides a few caves/hiding spots. You might notice it put a brown tint in my water, I'm hoping this will go away.

Also, as of last night my fishless cycle is complete. This weekend the harlies are coming back and I'll probably be picking up my cories. If they don't have enough of the cories I want (false julii) I'll probably take the harlies from 6 to 12.

[robyn]

its a very nice, big peice of driftwood. can you try take a pic of the entire tank, like you did in one of your earlier posts?

[locojay]

Thanks. I tried to take few of the whole tank when I took these but they came out blurry. I'll try again tonight.

[Bear]

lookin good

[locojay]

Thanks Bear.

Stocking started yesterday. So far I have 1 pearl gourami, 12 harlies and 4 upside down catfish. Today I'm going to find my cories and then I'll probably just let it run for a month or two before making more additions.

The pearl is being real shy. He's been hiding since he went into the tank yesterday. I've only seen him poke his head out twice and he returns to hiding as soon as he sees me. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to make him feel safe, more comfortable?

Here's the list I have planned:

1 pearl gourami
7 glass catfish
12 harlies
4 upside down catfish
4 yoyo loaches
6 julii cory
6 ottos

I left my camera sitting on my desk at the office like a bonehead so pics will have to wait till Monday .

[JustOneMore20]

The pearl is being real shy. He's been hiding since he went into the tank yesterday. I've only seen him poke his head out twice and he returns to hiding as soon as he sees me. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to make him feel safe, more comfortable?

I wish I knew. I have a 3-spot gourami thats really shy. He has just now started coming out a bit when i feed them (probably afraid he won't get any food otherwise), but other than that, he hides when I'm near the tank. He loves one side of my 55g where some plants have come uprooted and made a big pile. I haven't replanted them yet because he likes to hide in them.

Maybe after a little longer in the tank the Pearl will come around.

[locojay]

JOM, how long have you had yours? I hope he does come around soon because I don't think he's eating the way things are going right now. The harlies aren't letting anything but the sinking pellets hit the floor and the USD cats are taking care of those pretty quick.

[JustOneMore20]

I've had mine atleast 6 months...maybe 7 or 8...not exactly sure. I've had him long enough that he isn't just shy from new surroundings. I had always heard of Blue and 3-spot gouramis being aggressive, but mine is very docile.

I've heard that Pearls can be shy. I wonder if it would come out more if you added 1 or 2 more Pearls (if you want to). I know Pearls are not really aggressive and alot of people keep them in pairs or trios.

[locojay]

If I can do a pair without them fighting then I think I might give it a shot.

I'm starting to look for another alternative besides the glass cats. I'm starting to want a little bit more color in the tank and some variety too. I don't think 7 glass cats will accomplish either one.

I picked up 6 peppered cories today. Things are looking nice.

[JustOneMore20]

I have some suggestions: How about Columbian tetras instead of the Glass cats? They aren't so common, but are beautiful fish.
Lemon tetras are common, but are still really nice fish. And they'd contrast well with your Harlies.
Congo tetras are another choice. They get bigger than most tetras though (3 inches). Beautiful fish.

I also think that while the Glass cats are interesting, I'd want more color.

[locojay]

I don't really think I want to have another school. Now that the 12 harlies are in there I think that's enough schooling. But I do like those congo tetras, so if I don't find anything better suited, they might be the ones to get.

Most likely I will get one more pearl gourami but then I'd like to have 2 or 3 more centerpiece type fish (4 to 6 inches). It seems I've spent a nice chunk of change on fish this weekend so now I have time to research . Suggestions are always welcome.

[locojay]

Here's the full tank shot.