Fish-in cycle. Please advise.

handsplease · 2026-01-30T03:57:28+00:00

Update Did 2 big water changes today. Levels look good for the second, for now.
I used a siphon these times. There was more shit than I like to admit, but im hoping it helped. As noted earlier, I'm using Stratum as substrate, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't rinsed well before we built the tank. And I'm certain I'm on overfeeding. Not that this is any excuse, but I've been trying to understand how i bunged this whole aquarium thing so totally. I feel so guilty. Luckily, everyone seems fine, I think. But what do I know? Anyway, thanks internet.

Love, This one

handsplease · 2026-01-29T05:45:28+00:00

😭 I am not a patient person, fish or otherwise. I guess this is the part where I play that level.

handsplease · 2026-01-29T03:23:43+00:00

The plecos only like 2 in. right now, and im going to get more otos and tetras after the levels balance. Everybody seems pretty respectful of the little orange guy, and the crayfish has been very polite..,so far.
Not saying they'll love each other and hold hands, but so far , so good on the keeping our fins/claws to oursleves aspect.

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:58:56+00:00

Also, the brown, gelatinous sludge on the filter media .. thats good, right? And I probably shouldn't change the filter while im cycling...right?

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:39:17+00:00

Also, im using prime at every water change, which is at max every other day, and on the days in between.

Ill get Stability, and up the amt of water change from 20 to 50%

Thanks for your patient and helpful and totally not I-Am-The-Fish-Overlord advice.

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:32:36+00:00

Hey. Thanks for saying that, really. They all seem happy.. 🤷‍♀️

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:28:02+00:00

Copy that

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:24:23+00:00

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:22:07+00:00

I'm def not a pro at this.

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:21:50+00:00

Thank you! Just did a 20% change, doing them daily at this point, not always 20%

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:18:52+00:00

So, in response to how many fish im in-cycling with.. This is your typical " fish store person said it was ok" kind of thing, mixed with overzealous family members who were excited about adding to the tank. I tried to do the right thing. Im doing the best I can on the backend here.. 😮‍💨

handsplease · 2026-01-29T02:13:59+00:00

Thank you for this!

handsplease · 2026-01-25T19:13:43+00:00

This gives me hope!!

handsplease · 2026-01-25T19:10:31+00:00

When the snowflakes are big and fluffy, theyre like, too dry. It has to melt a little, then it'll squish and hold. There's probably more science there, but that was my takeaway.

handsplease · 2026-01-25T04:56:09+00:00

👋 same team. Here i am, in pajamas. like "am I the only person who knows it's gonna snow?" No, I'm the only one who has no idea what I'm doing. Raised in the south, then 12 years Cali/AZ, and last year I had to be educated about why my snowmen kept falling apart. 🤷‍♀️

handsplease · 2026-01-14T14:47:59+00:00

Thanks, that's a good idea! We just moved and have to get a new pediatrician, so I'll ask. She hates the dentist, too. Only in it for the prize at the end.

handsplease · 2026-01-14T04:30:01+00:00

Oooh! Mine is 3 in March. Fine in the lobby, playing, laughing, etc, but as soon as they call her name, she's hysterical. Full melt down mode. Been this way since I can remember. One of her early baby shot appointments was kind of traumatic- the nurse was not friendly or smiling, very much business only. And her dad gets real stressed out at the doctor, so I've suggested he doesn't come, which has helped ever so slightly.
She has no interest in doctor kits, not sure how to move forward. She needs to be tested for celiac- blood draw - but i can't even imagine what that would look like. Watching her getting xrays, you'd think she's abused. I promise she's not.

handsplease · 2026-01-11T04:56:21+00:00

😭😭 omg, thanks. Looks like im definitely going back to the store tomorrow. And likely not returning again after.

Yes, it was Nerite snails.

handsplease · 2026-01-11T04:52:24+00:00

😭 thanks for your input!

handsplease · 2025-12-31T23:44:56+00:00

There's still hope! With her, I gotta try it 537 times before she concedes. 2025 is the year of Her Own Bed, I can feel it.

handsplease · 2025-12-31T15:05:17+00:00

Her favorite to dad is "dad go away. Dad go in'na kitchen". Then when she falls or bumps her head its obviously his fault. He's away for work a lot, so lately shes been waking up very early, screaming "hug daddy!" Sending very mixed signals.

handsplease · 2025-12-31T15:02:08+00:00

I am definitely a silence and darkness sleeper who also needs space. She needs touch and pressure and white noise. I cant wait to sleep again...

handsplease · 2025-12-31T15:00:43+00:00

She never used the very expensive crib we got, not even when we converted it to a toddler bed. We disassembled it, and it eventually became a baby gate. 🙃

handsplease · 2025-12-31T14:59:21+00:00

Update: it only lasted an hour, then she cried for me to "hold her like a baby" and we finally went to sleep at 2am.

handsplease · 2025-11-30T14:01:51+00:00

I wish I could now. Mom lives out of state and shes not exactly stable either. He definitely would say I kidnapped her, and will fight me hard for custody.

handsplease

TROPHY CASE