I would leave the tank in peace for some days before doing any water changes. If it goes beyond 1, I would do a 25% water change. It is best to carry out small water changes rather than a large one. What kind of test kit are you using?

cycling a tank were there is a million questions and thousands of millions answer.

fish less is best!!!!

but were fish are involved things vary in many ways.

yes water changes will be need but your fish will help you as will your test kit its a fine balance but vilagence is key!!!!

if the fish are not stressing than hold off on water changes

watch the fish gills if the colour starts to change then a small water change of 10% and then do not allow to go above that level in time you will see it go down naturally then stage one should be complete nitrites nitrate should follow in the same pattern.

i would suggest you test mains water/supply

we don't see it mentioned much these days but in years past we would have heard "new tank syndrome" banded around a lot but the term seem to have fallen from grace. this was were a tank had been incorrectly cycled or water changes to quickly a tank would appear to be cycled and for a period of time would run correctly but for some reason around ninety days this would change and the tank would crash.

if you get the right balance stress free fish while providing enough ammonia to encourage beneficial bacteria to grow and spread throughout your system then you will have started along the correct path to a trouble free beautiful tank with healthy fish

hi guys

thanks for the replies

niko,
so 1ppm would be the ceiling before water changes, yes?
thats what i wanted, an actual number! ta
(i use the api master kit)

mickey, i was fishless cycling and the way i
approached it was recommended from several different sites
but it did not work out well, i drained the tank and started again, i then used safestart incorrectly, and was finally advised to get two small fish after telling the lfs my story

i would have rathered to fishless cycle, but the tetras are in now, they seem very happy though, active, chasing around
and look fine,

they are my priority and i dont see them as disposable cycle fish or anything, and i will do my very best to look after them

thanks

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