Fluval 13.5 Cycle

[Adam_1992]

Hi All,

I’ve been cycling my Fluval Evo 13.5 for close to 3 weeks now.

I used CaribSea Life Rock (that’s supposed to be infused with bacteria), Arag alive sand too. I’m using sea water too.

On starting the cycle I put Fritzyme9 as my starter, along with Fritz Fishless Fuel.

My ammonia instantly went up and a few days later Nitrite.. but I noticed that after about a week and a half (almost 2 weeks) - nothing moved. I was worried the cycle had stalled, since most say that using Fritz - your tank cycles faster, especially with using the rock and sand I went with.

Anyway, noticing that it looked like I stalled - I then added in Nutrafin Cycle. To my horror I noticed that it was cloudy and had tiny particles like clouds in it which went in my tank. I freaked out - but this did seem to kick start the cycle again. (I didn’t add this again - as I’m worried it was a bad batch)…
I was worried so I did a 30% water change - which brought my nitrite down a bit.

On Sunday I noticed that again no change in my tests… so I went to my LFS and got Seachem Stability. I dosed it on Sunday night (and adding 2 mls every night) and by Tuesday night my ammonia was at 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate was about 20-40.

So I did my first test - I dosed ammonia to 1ppm to see if it would cycle it in 24 hrs… it didn’t. My ammonia last night was 0.25 and my nitrite is between 0.25-0.5.
I then tested this morning and it’s at a similar result.

I’m hoping by tonight both will be at 0 -

But I need advice - do I do the 2ppm test next or just keep testing with 1ppm ammonia?

I really want to get 2 clowns over the weekend and they will produce far less ammonia than 1ppm. Will it be safe to finish cycling with clowns or not?

I’ll obviously do a big water change before adding them in - and I’ll keep dosing Stability for a week.

Thanks!

 

[fishywishy]

Stop messing with the tank and be patient. You should be cycled in a few days if not already.

 

[Adam_1992]

Not messing with it.
Just following the fishless fuel directions. And adding bacteria. Honestly I was just worried the fritz didn’t work because everyone talks about how fast it is and it’s not as fast for me.
So you don’t think I should dose it with 2ppm and do the 24hr test?

 

[fishywishy]

Not messing with it.
Just following the fishless fuel directions. And adding bacteria. Honestly I was just worried the fritz didn’t work because everyone talks about how fast it is and it’s not as fast for me.
So you don’t think I should dose it with 2ppm and do the 24hr test?

No, just wait until it goes down to zero and you should be cycled.

 

[Fish Fan]

You've created two back-to-back posts about this, which makes it confusing to answer

Fritz Fishless Fuel doesn't contain bacteria, it's a source of ammonia. Fritz TurboStart has bacteria, and is considered the fastest (though not necessarily the best) at cycling tanks.

I would stop adding the bottled bacteria products; they are entirely unnecessary at this point as you have all the bacteria you need.

If your ammonia from ghost feeding was at one time ~2.00 ppm and is now down to ~0.25 ppm on the API test, you're cycled. I used to advise doing a test by adding more ammonia and testing again in 24 hours, but I now believe that's unnecessary, and just results in super high nitrate in the end.

I would let the tank be for a couple of days, and if you're still recording nearly zero ammonia, I would add maybe one Clown at this weekend, and if you're really want two in a small tank, then add the second Clown in a couple of weeks. Choosing Clownfish that are noticeably different in size (one small one larger) can help them establish their pecking order with less aggression.

Good luck!

 

[Adam_1992]

Thanks!!! I just tested.
I got 0 for both ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate is not too high either which is great.
Going shopping tomorrow. It’s fish time!!!

I’ll be adding them in. Very slowly

But I want 2 clowns. 1 Royal Gramma. A cleaner shrimp. And maybe an azure damsel at the end (they are the least aggressive). But if I do, I’ll add it at the end so the clowns have dominance…

If not the damsel I need to do some research - I want a blue fish in there too. And a tang will just be in hell in something so small.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thanks!!! I just tested.
I got 0 for both ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate is not too high either which is great.
Going shopping tomorrow. It’s fish time!!!

I’ll be adding them in. Very slowly

But I want 2 clowns. 1 Royal Gramma. A cleaner shrimp. And maybe an azure damsel at the end (they are the least aggressive). But if I do, I’ll add it at the end so the clowns have dominance…

If not the damsel I need to do some research - I want a blue fish in there too. And a tang will just be in hell in something so small.

2 clowns will max out the tank... 2 clowns should be in a 20 minimum, so you already cut the recommended tank size almost in half. Maybe room for one more small fish, but the clowns might kill it. Keep in mind, the 13.5 tank is really about 10-11 gallons when you account for the rocks and sand and equipment displacement.

No room for 4 fish and no way you should put a damsel into that size tank, damsels are mean and aggressive, and more so in smaller tanks. Tang should not even be in the same sentence as fluval 13.5.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks!!! I just tested.
I got 0 for both ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate is not too high either which is great.
Going shopping tomorrow. It’s fish time!!!

I’ll be adding them in. Very slowly

But I want 2 clowns. 1 Royal Gramma. A cleaner shrimp. And maybe an azure damsel at the end (they are the least aggressive). But if I do, I’ll add it at the end so the clowns have dominance…

If not the damsel I need to do some research - I want a blue fish in there too. And a tang will just be in hell in something so small.

Don't add two Clowns, a Damsel and a Royal Gramma, this will not end well at all. Look for small, peaceful fish like many of the gobies would be a good choice. Lot's a cool inverts you could have in this tank too, but it's a very small tank for more than two or three small, peaceful fish.

 

[thefeds]

I have this same tank...I cycled it using Tampa Bay Rock and caribsea rock. Just rock and RO water mixed with Tropic Marin salt. Let it sit for about 2 - 3 weeks and was cycled. In fact, I was cycled way earlier but was not ready to move my clowns. I only have two clowns in my 13.5 but going to add an aiptasia eating file fish temporarily to help control the pests. Good luck with your tank.

 

[Adam_1992]

Thanks!!! I just tested.
I got 0 for both ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate is not too high either which is great.
Going shopping tomorrow. It’s fish time!!!

I’ll be adding them in. Very slowly

But I want 2 clowns. 1 Royal Gramma. A cleaner shrimp. And maybe an azure damsel at the end (they are the least aggressive). But if I do, I’ll add it at the end so the clowns have dominance…

If not the damsel I need to do some research - I want a blue fish in there too. And a tang will just be in hell in something so small.

Don't add two Clowns, a Damsel and a Royal Gramma, this will not end well at all. Look for small, peaceful fish like many of the gobies would be a good choice. Lot's a cool inverts you could have in this tank too, but it's a very small tank for more than two or three small, peaceful fish.

Sorry. I got it wrong. I meant Blue Sapphire Damsels (aka springer) not Azure (Azures are nightmares) - I’ve read so much on here saying people have 2-3 in their tanks and they are fine with other fish.
Also on all the sites here in Aus they are marked as peaceful.

 

[Fish Fan]

I have this same tank...I cycled it using Tampa Bay Rock and caribsea rock. Just rock and RO water mixed with Tropic Marin salt. Let it sit for about 2 - 3 weeks and was cycled. In fact, I was cycled way earlier but was not ready to move my clowns. I only have two clowns in my 13.5 but going to add an aiptasia eating file fish temporarily to help control the pests. Good luck with your tank.

I really wouldn't put a file fish in a 13.5 gallon, which is more like a 10 gallon for the display size. Your Clownfish simply may not allow another fish, and the tank is just too small for a file fish. I'd suggest getting some Berghia nudibranchs to get rid of the Aptasia or manual removal. I like to stick them with. syringe and needle loaded with lemon juice or vinegar, sticking, and injecting the 'nem. That has worked well for me.

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry. I got it wrong. I meant Blue Sapphire Damsels (aka springer) not Azure (Azures are nightmares) - I’ve read so much on here saying people have 2-3 in their tanks and they are fine with other fish.
Also on all the sites here in Aus they are marked as peaceful.

Even so, I wouldn't add any Damsel to this tank. Damsels are all aggressive, and really need a larger tank. Damsels and Clownfish are all in the same family of fish (they are all Damsels) and will fight amongst themselves.