Nitrogen Cycle Questions

Question
I recently set up a 33 gallon tank freshwater tropical tank on 3/6/08. I added oz of Marineland Bio Spira. I am running an Eheim Pro 3e 2076 with 2 liters of Substrat Pro and 2 liters of Efhimech. I tested the water on 3/8/08 at 5:19am EST. the readings are as follows. Ammonia- 0ppm, Nitrite- .25ppm, Nitrate- 5.0 ppm. I have fish in here which I previously had in another tank. I have mollies(7), platys(7), a clown pleco, 2 guppies, endler's livebearers(2)
8 neon tetras, 8 pork chop rasboras, 4 small cory cats.

I would like to know the best way of monitoring my tank to see that the cycle is carried out properly. I have made many mistakes in the past and would like as much advice as possible.

Would you recommend using more Bio Spira, or adding Nutrafin Cycle? I have researched both and seem to finding mixed
reviews.I keep the water at 80.1 degrees F.

I would like advice on the best course of action to take in order to not lose any fish. Also advice on how much to feed, water changes.

I would like as much of a detailed plan of action that you can provide if possible.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Scott:  Basically you have a tank that has not yet cycled and its going to cycle slowly because of the number of fish you have in there... 39 fish and 33 gallons of water - substrate = very slow cycling process.  If this were my tank I would add about 5-8 medium to large live plants and I would pack them into both ends of the tank in a really dense forest type setting...you will need to add a plant bulb to your tank so that they live.  Since most of your fish are shoaling fish I would limit other tank decorations.  I would add a minimum of two bubblers because water at 80.1 degrees holds less oxygen then water at 76 degrees.

Tank Maintenance and Cycling:  First thing I would do is to go to the local aquarium not the pet store and ask them for some "dirty" water.  This is water that they are going to squeeze out of a very used sponge filter... it is brown, dirty and full of wonderful beneficial bacteria that will help your tank cycle.  You need to do water changes and gravel vacuum chores twice per week so that each time you are changing about 10% of the water.  With so many fish you yourself are going to have to make sure that your tank is super clean all the time.... this is the price we fish keepers pay when we have a "full" tank... it would be unrealistic to rely on your pleco and your cory cats to do all the work... Also, I would try to build into my routine adding dirty water into my tank either every two weeks or monthly.  It is just going to help the tank cycle be maintained.  

Feeding:  Feed your fish only what they will eat in three minutes... Use sinking algae wafers for the pleco/cory cats.  I feed my fish twice per day... once when I first get up and then right before I go to bed.  DO NOT ALLOW EXCESS FOOD TO SINK TO THE BOTTOM... if you have food on the bottom you are going to have sick fish. You basically have too many fish in your tank to have even the slightest of poor water quality.  The goal you should be trying to achieve is to have the healthiest fish possible... healthy fish fight off disease. This means that you are going to have to be on top of making sure that all of your fish are eating... you have a lot of fish and its going to take a lot of your time to make sure they stay healthy... one out break of disease is going to be devastating to your fish.  I would feed your fish in groups... on different ends of the tank and I would watch to see that they are all eating. I would also offer them a varied diet that would consist of flake food, algae wafters, live blood worms and live brine shrimp, as well as a periodic treat of something that is more vegetation then meat... They have some good products that are frozen cubes made for omnivores that are really good for your fish.... Remember: water changes twice per week (10%), Gravel Vacuum twice per week, Dirty water twice per month, feed only for three minutes twice perday, check water chemistry at least twice per month if not weekly, Make sure your fish are eating daily, make sure you have no extra food on the bottom of the tank,  ADD PLANTS, and enjoy your fish... Dave