36 Bow Mbuna Cycle and History

Posting this part of our paper journal almost two years later, we have learned a lot of lessons.  This is by no means how I would recommend setting a tank up; actually reading it at this point makes me feel terrible.  Still, saving our first days of fishkeeping for posterity.

4.29.2010
pH = 8.2

4.30.2010
7 am: pH = 8.0-8.2
3 pm: pH = 8.2
6 pm: pH = 8.2

5.1.2010
Added 1 Red Zebra 2.5in ("Valencia")
Added 1 Red Top Zebra 2.5in ("Fins") -- labeled as Red Fin Borleyi
Added 1 Yellow Lab 2.5in ("Lemon")

More after the jump...




5.2.2010
pH=8.2
NH3 = 0ppm
NO2 = 0ppm
NO3 = 0ppm

5.3.2010
pH = 8.2
NH3 = 0-0.25ppm
NO2 = 0ppm
NO3 = 0-5ppm

5.4.2010
NH3 = 0.25ppm
NO3 = 5ppm

5.5.2010
NH3 = 0.25-0.5ppm
NO2 = 0ppm
Added bacteria in a bottle

5.6.2010
NH3 = 0.5ppm
5 gallon water change

5.7.2010
General hardness 100mg/L
Carbonate hardness 190 mg/L
NH3 = 0.5ppm
NO2 = 0ppm
pH = 8.2

5.8.2010
Added Kenyi 2.5in ("Zebra") -- labeled as Electric Blue Ahli
Added Yellow Lab 2in ("Lemon Pi")
NH3 = 0.5ppm

5.9.2010
NH3 = 0.5-1ppm
NO2 = 00-0.25ppm
NO3 = 5ppm

5.10.2010
NH3 = 1ppm
NO2 = 0-0.25ppm
5 gallon water change
Added more bacteria

5.11.2010
am: NH3 = 1ppm
30mL bio added
pm: NH3 = 1ppm

5.12.2010
NH3 = 2ppm
5 gallon water change
30mL bio added

5.13.2010
NH3 = 1ppm
NO2 = 1-2ppm
5 gallon water change
30mL bio added

5.14.2010
5 gallon water change
NH3 = 2ppm
NO2 = 2ppm

5.15.2010
NH3 = 1-2ppm
NO2 = 2-5ppm
NO3 = 10ppm

5.16.2010
NH3 = 1-2ppm
NO2 = 5ppm
NO3 = 20ppm

5.17.2010
NH3 = 1-2ppm
NO2 = 5ppm
5 gallon water change
25mL bacteria

5.18.2010
NH3 = 1ppm
NO2 = 5ppm
NO3 = 20ppm

5.19.2010
NH3 = 1ppm
NO2 = 5ppm
10 gallon water change
50-50 clean water and tank water NO2 = 2-5ppm
pH = 7.8

5.20.2010
NH3 = 0.5ppm
NO2 = 5ppm
4 x 5 gallon water changes
NO2 = 6-7ppm

5.21.2010
am: NO2 = 5ppm+
pm: NO2 = 5ppm+
Added Nitrazorb
NH3 = 0.25ppm

5.22.2010
NO2 = 5ppm+
NH3 = 0.25ppm

5.23.2010
NO2 = 5ppm+
NH3 = 0ppm

5.25.2010
NO2 = 5ppm (on scale)

5.26.2010
NO2 = 0-0.25ppm
NO3 = 10ppm

5.27.2010
NO2 = 0ppm
NH3 = 0-0.25ppm

At this point, the cycle was completed, and future tests showed 0 NH3, NO2.  We performed weekly water changes of 5 gallons (again, this is not recommended).  We changed to 40-50% water changes after our first fish health issue in early July.

5.29.2010
Added 2x Melanochromis Auratus 2in

6.12.2010
Removed both Auratus -- they never caused any trouble, but we did not want to mess with them after learning their reputation
Added 2x Yellow Lab 2in ("Bumble" Male and "Bee" female)

7.4.2010
Zebra constipation:
Removed carbon
3tsp Epsom salt
3tsp Epsom salt

7.21.2010
Our first spawn: Bee holding

7.24.2010
Added 2x Yellow Lab 3in ("Daffy" and "Ducky")
Added male peacock 4in "Klein"
Moved all fish to 55 gallon tank