The past fallow for diseases was 76 days now certain diseases the minimum suggested is 45 days. I did 80 days for my brook when tank was new. Just depends on your assessment of what's in your tank. Longer is better otherwise new fish may end up dying too. Assuming your tank parameters are within normal ranges.
Trying to figure out what to do with my YW Goby for 80 days. I bought a 10 gallon today for QT but I don’t know how I can keep him alive that long without a cycled tank.
Put a piece of live ocean rock in the QT. Add a little ammonia and see if it goes to zero in 24 hours
But doesn’t rock soak up copper for treatment and then leach it later giving you false readings? I’ve read that QT tanks should be rock and sandless?
It can but it's either that or some of your existing tank media to fast track the cycle
Thanks friend. Yeah I’ve not seen any green algae yet so that’s making me question the cycling. I have a hang on seachem ammonia checker badge on the tank now. I’ve not been able to get it to read any ammonia with test kits.
Diatoms is the first algae to enter the tank typically unless it's bare bottom
Yes I did have those, was all over and long and hairy. Turbo snails knocked it all out in a day or 2.
The only water quality issue that can kill fish but not most invertebrates is overnight low oxygen issues (this will kill fish and shrimp). The basic cause for this is lack of aeration. Water circulation along isn’t sufficient, you need to break the water surface for proper gas exchange. I’ve even seen cases where a HOB added enough surface agitation until one time when the tank is filled a bit too high and the bubbles cut off and the fish die that night.
Its 6-8 weeks (45-60 days). 76 days is a very old rule as life cycles are now more understood for many parasites
Is there a way to test oxygenation? My HOB actively pushes air bubbles from the flow into the tank so I don’t believe that’s the issue but I do have a glass lid which I have heard can cause issues with aeration. I took both of the back plastic parts of the glass lids off to fit the HOB and give more air flow.
Yes - the glass lid can cause real issues. There are oxygen meters, but cost thousands. You can sometimes infer low oxygen/high carbon dioxide if the tank has a low pH in the morning and a higher pH in the afternoon.
If you have a good visible surface ripple then your fine. That HOB won't do this
I don't think there are any strict rules about green algae vs cycling. I believe your ammonia checker badge - esp if verified
Also I have 2 800GPH wavemakers. One is rippling the top of the water 24/7.
