Hardy enough?

[Chels]

Hey, Alf.
We just purchased a 10 gal. FW tank about 1 week ago. It has started it's cycle and the water is kinda milky and cloudy.
We have 3 peppered coridoras, 2 mollies, an algea eater, 1 guppy and 1 I don't know what it is. The PH level is 7.5 and there is no chlorine, we have well water fed by a spring.
Are these fish hardy enough to live through the cycle? Are my PH levels OK? And how often should I change water and at what %?

[Alf]

Most fish can not withstand a full cycle. Do a 30 to 40% water change now do 10 to 20% water changes every couple of days as the ammonia rises. This will slow the cycle down but it will save your fish. I suggest testing every day. And do water changes as needed. 7.5 ph is good for Live baering fish (guppies). 6.5 ph is good for egglayes. 7.0 is good for community tanks( a mixture of Egg laying and live bearing).

as for regular water changes i suggest 20% every 3 weeks or so.
test your well water. Well water can still have bad stuff in it and amy need some kind of treatment. Not all well water but some. So test ammo, Alk, and PH, and nitrites to besure they are at proper levels is so then you will be fine.HTH
Let me know if i can do anything else.

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Alf ]</p>

[Chels]

I have tested the ammonia today and it read between .5 and 1. Should I add an ammonia eliminator now or let it go for awhile and just do the water changes?

[Alf]

[quote]Should I add an ammonia eliminator now <hr></blockquote>
Won't hurt. May help.

[AquariumPro]

That's a lot of fish to start a 10 gallon tank. The rule is 25% of the total tank's capacity for the first three to four weeks, then adding in increments of 25% every four weeks after a water change each time. If they all make it, I would not add any morte fish for a few weeks after the cycle finishes.

[Chels]

Thanks for the info. We are done for awhile, if they make it through.

[Red Tar]

Here's where I get to pay back for some of the great advice I got. I'm just ahead of you in the new tank cycle. I had real cloudy water also. Do the water changes as noted above and don't forget to prep the water over night by letting it sit in a bucket with an air stone and add your favorite tap water conditioner. Remember that your water changes are necessary for the fish but will prolong the clycle. Your PH is OK for the moment.
Test Amonia and Nitrite every day and keep a log so you can see what is happening. Record the PH, Amonia, and Nitrite, as well as notes about any additives you use, water clarity, and temp. (My tanks Nitrites are topping off this week and then hopefully will turn to NitrAtes soon.)

I used "B Clear Biolocial Water Clarifier" and it worked very well to keep the water tolerable for the fish durring the cycle. Also, IMHO, make sure your filter isn't on high, I think the water that moves a little more slowly will build a better bacterial layer quicker and with your water changes you should be OK.

For a 10 Gal tank you only want 8 or 9 inches of fish max so you are probably at the limit.

[Chels]

Thanks for the info. I just got an under gravel filter and so far it's going pretty well. It's only been 24 hours though. Even my fish seem to be more relaxed and happy with this system.
I still need to figure out the pressures and everything but so far so good. \I'm getting ready to do a wter test now so I'll know more in a short.