New Tiger Barb Tank

[MadMax]

Hi everybody,
I have a ten gallon tank

• 6 tiger barbs
• Day 8 in cycle
• no3 about 5-10 (reading off test strips)
• no2 is about 2.0 " "

Do the readings I got sound correct for where I'm at in the cycle. Also added media from another tank.

This site seems like a great resource and I'm happy I found it!

[aquabee]

Tank looks good! Parameters sound reasonable for where you are in the cycle, though they're not the best for the health of your barbs. I would get a liquid test kit if you want more accurate readings, cuz those test strips can read falsely if they're exposed at all to humidity.

Glad to hear you have media in from another tank! That should really speed things up. I would also recommend a bottle of Stability, made by Seachem. You would just need the smallest bottle for your size tank, and it will help lower those nitrites and keep ammonia down as well while your tank cycles. It also speeds up your cycle because it contains bacteria in spore form.

Of course, those are all suggestions to keep those tiger barbs safe. The Stability for your size tank should be under 10 bucks. :) Good luck! Hope you're enjoying those barbs-- they can be really fun to watch, chasing each other all over the tank.

[MadMax]

Hi aquabee, thanks for checking out my post. If I use that Stability will I still have to do water 10% water changes?

[aquabee]

Hi aquabee, thanks for checking out my post. If I use that Stability will I still have to do water 10% water changes?

Well it depends on what your readings are. If you're getting high nitrites and nitrates, you need to do a 10% water change. In a couple days, with the addition of Stability, you should have no ammonia or nitrite. Once the tank is fully cycled and if your nitrates are below 20 ppm with no ammonia or nitrite, you can just do a 20% water change once a week or once every other week. I wouldn't add too many more fish though... you've got plenty in there for that 10 gallon size. In about a month, you can add an otocinclus to eat algae though. Those are fun and they stay little! :)

[MadMax]

Cool I'll pick up some Stability and a liquid test kit asap.

[aquabee]

Good luck! Keep posting pics and updates! If you're gonna get the liquid test kit, the one most of us use for freshwater is the API kit. It has pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

[sunkenmetal]

welcome to the box...

Love the dino....

[AquaticAddict]

I wouldn't add too many more fish though... you've got plenty in there for that 10 gallon size. In about a month, you can add an otocinclus to eat algae though. Those are fun and they stay little! <img src="http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" />

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+1. Tiger barbs can get 2.5 - 3in. I have 9 (3 are albinos) in my planted 55 and 1 of em's 2.5in another is a lil bigger but under 3in, the rest are smaller. They are some of my favorite fish, very active!

[MadMax]

Wuts up AquaticAddict and sunkenmetal


Test reading today at 3:08 pm. I have not added the Stability but Im going to add it this instant.
P1000384.jpg

[MadMax]

Can someone interpret this and the previous pic for me? Day 9 in cycle.

P1000385.jpg
Question A)
What are some average readings I should be looking for?
Question B)
These numbers should probably be dropping soon?(no3/n02)
Question C)
Any tips?

[MadMax]

Numbers are dropping like I thought. From about 2.0 ppm then after adding that stability it dropped to .50 24 hours later. Fishes fins and scales have become more vibrant and colorful. My plant have started to root and has some new growth to it. Marimo ball is getting furry but still floating. All is well my friends.

P1000389 (768x1024).jpg

[AquaticAddict]

Numbers are dropping like I thought. From about 2.0 ppm then after adding that stability it dropped to .50 24 hours later. Fishes fins and scales have become more vibrant and colorful. My plant have started to root and has some new growth to it. Marimo ball is getting furry but still floating. All is well my friends.<br />
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<img src="http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8128&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="8128" alt="" id="vbattach_8128" class="previewthumb" />

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[AquaticAddict]

Good to hear Max, Im going to the lfs tonight if the tiger barbs are still on sale I think Im gona get a few more myself. Besides the moss ball what plants do you have?

[MadMax]

Just an amazon sword, and white ribbon plant. The white ribbon is suspended above the water so only the roots are actually in the tank. Guy at lfs told me it was fully aquatic . I think the amazon sword is bitter so the barbs wont eat it. oh and Lucky bamboo i tossed in to, its like 20'' long though.

What size is your tiger tank bro?

[danielp]

Barb tanks are really cool.

I had a green barb tank in my office for years. They are hardy fish and if my water quality and maintenance slipped i didn't have to worry about my fish.