Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!hoptoad!amdcad!amdahl!ames!hao!husc6!endor!sasaki From: sasaki@endor.UUCP Newsgroups: alt.aquaria,rec.pets Subject: Re: Nitrification... Message-ID: <3425@husc6.harvard.edu> Date: Mon, 30-Nov-87 22:37:39 EST Article-I.D.: husc6.3425 Posted: Mon Nov 30 22:37:39 1987 Date-Received: Thu, 3-Dec-87 23:06:41 EST References: <7044@pur-ee.UUCP> <155@bacchus.DEC.COM> <2426@gryphon.CTS.COM> Sender: news@husc6.harvard.edu Reply-To: sasaki@endor.UUCP (Marty Sasaki) Distribution: usa Organization: Digital Equipment Co. Lines: 28 Keywords: How long??? has this been going on. duh duh, da da da da da da. Xref: hoptoad alt.aquaria:33 rec.pets:1995 Summary: Better living through chemistry In order to do the nitrification cycle correctly you need test kits, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. Only after the tank has cycled should you add more fish. When you add another fish (do add them one at a time) continue to test the water. You should see a mini-cycle, the concentrations of ammonia and nitrite should go up slightly, then go down again. When the mini-cycle has completed then add another fish. I've used damsels, clownfish, and triggers to start the cycle. You can buy the freeze dried bacteria to help with starting an aquarium, I've found that this does reduce the time that it takes to to complete the cycle. Ocean Green (algae in a bottle) is back on the market and can be added to the water when you are starting. I did years ago with very good results. There is also Fritz-zyme (spelling is wrong, but it is close) which several magazines have reported does a good job as well. You can use mollies because they are brackish water fish. They do a good job, but I'm not interested in keeping mollies, and don't think that it is a good idea to flush them after your tank is set up. ---------------- Marty Sasaki uucp: harvard!sasaki 26 Green Street arpa: sasaki@harvard.harvard.edu Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 bitnet: sasaki@harvunxh phone: 617-524-2111