New 55 gallon tank,,how long to safely cycle?

[gord]

Hi All:

I haven't posted for a while..summer has kept me outdoors.

However,I recently picked up a 55 gallon tank that I've set up for my 2 verrucosus. It looks great and I'm very excited about it (pics will be forthcoming).

So here's the question.I've seeded the tank with several gallons of water from the old tank. I've put in live plants and the filter is running.Water is greenish now, and it's going to take a while to get things stabilized.I will do ph and ammonia tests. But how long can and should I wait before I put in my 2 newts? I'm very paranoid about having anything happen to them. Thoughts?

Also,since these 2 newts are moving,I plan to finally move my 4 taricha in together. The plan is to put them in the old 35 gallon verrucosus tank. Should I tear down the tank and start from scratch, or use the old set up? I like the look of the tank, but am afraid of pathogens. These newts all live in fairly close proximity to each other, and I'm sure I've cross contaminated these tanks at some point... but I don't want a disaster! Better safe than sorry.I should say I've had the two new taricha in quarantine for 3 months, so I am patient.

Cheers,

Gord

 

[gord]

It's lame to answer your own post...not one reply!

But on the outside chance anyone is actually interested in this thread...

I've had my tank cycling for two weeks.It went clear in about 4 days...but now smells like a pond...and not in a good way. Kind of a stinky egg gas and the thing is teeming with daphnia...little swimming worms etc. I realize this is all natural....but I'm a little concerned about sending my treasured newts in there. I do have a fluval filter in it but think it may be underpowered (it's a 3 plus). I've also kept the tank floor glass...perhaps sand and gravel would aid in getting the good bacteria going?

Also...the grape wood I've had in the old verrucosus tank since day one was transferred to this new tank.I submerged most of it in water..and it got all covered with a white mouldy film. Very gross and ickey.I've tried to remove most of it but what's up with that?

I know much of this has been covered elsewhere...but not all. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

GE

 

[sparda]

I would like to know, yes, I am interested in this post.

 

[charles]

I would love to see some pics of the large tank. I have a large tank that I setup for my alpine newt's and it didn't smell at all, all it has in it is play sand,larg rocks(for hidding),plant's and some snell's I found at a place were I go fishing

 

[gord]

Ok..here area couple of shots of the 55 gallon.I've put the TV in as of today. They seem happy so far.in the close up shot you can see the mouldy grape wood.I've decided it is fine as the wood was in the old tank.The water has cleared up since I cleaned up the filter.

ge

(Message edited by jennewt on August 23, 2006)

 

[charles]

Nice tank and newt's you have there. I don't know about the wood, if the mold dosen't go away, I would get some large rock's or something, and take the wood out.

 

[ian]

In term of when the cycle is done, you can monitor the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate level all the time.

You have to start your culture of bacteria with some food, than you will see that ammonia will rise as the food decay, then it will drop, and as nitrite rise and low and nitrate increase at the end. Then do some water change to control the nitrate.

so you must keep feeding the bacteria till you can see that the ammonia and nitriate level will not increase to a dangerous level as you put food in. That means that now your tank can take of to that amount of waste and there will be enough bacteria to control the ammonia and nitrite level to the safe zone.

So, it is difficult to say how long to safely cycle it. It all depends on varaibles such as amount of oxygen in the water, amount of food/waste and amount of starting bacteria culture and also temperature, surface for growth....etc.

 

[karen]

I agree with Ian.....buy a test kit (I have one that checks pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) and check the levels every few days. If I recall correctly, the tank will be cycled when the ammonia and nitrite levels drop to zero. You can do partial water changes to keep nitrate levels low. There's an article here on caudata that goes into great detail about cycling, if you haven't read it. Good luck with your tank, it's great!