SDMatt

Hi All,

I've got a 10 gallon tank that I setup three weeks ago.

I opted to cycle it using 3 mollies. I'm doing 10% daily water changes, and I'm adding API's ammolock (twice a week) to detoxify the ammonia. I also add 10 ml of Stresszyme (weekly), that will supposedly help with the whole cycle process. My ammonia levels still test high (my test kit doesn't separate NH3 from NH4 results) so I know that the tank isn't finished with it's cycle yet,

My question is:

1. Given the cloudiness of the water, does it sound like the cycle process is near completion?
2. How long should I expect the water to stay cloudy?

Also, I'd like some feedback on the claims and/or experences that anyone may have in regard to API's products. I've used Cycle (as apposed to Stresszyme) in the past, and I'm just wondering if I made a mistake using a different product. Am I wasting my money on Ammolock?

Thanks,
Matt

COBettaCouple

welcome to Fishlore.

I've not used ammolock.. we treat our water with Prime to protect the fish from ammonia, nitrites and nitrates along with the heavy metals. Cycle I've used and it's a total waste of money unfortunately and was a negative for us trying to cycle our tanks.. any product other than BioSpira really doesn't help the cycling of a tank.

when you get 0 for both ammonia and nitrites and 10 or less for nitrates, the tank is cycled. What are your recent test results?


http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm - this page helps describe the cycle and how it works.

SDMatt

My pH is at 7, and my ammonia (NH3/NH4) is at 8 PPM. I guess ammolock is working becuase my fish don't seem streesed - and I haven't lost any yet.

I had originally intended to cycle the tank without fish - so I didn't buy nitrite or nitrate test kits. I thought I'd watch the ammonia level rise then fall, and then wait a couple of weeks and assume that my levels where good.

Now I'm having trouble finding [stand alone] kits that measure nitrate and nitrite - and I may be forced to buy a "master" test kit so I can mesure these levels.

Is cloudy water an indication of a rise in nitrate levels - or an indication of a rise in nitrate levels - or neither?

Thanks,
Matt

bhcaaron

Try this thread, might help.

cloudy?

Supposedly cloudy water during a part of the cycling is normal

SDMatt

Thanks all,

I know that the cloudy water is normal - I just haven't been able to find any info on how long to expect it to stick around..

I was also hoping to find out if the cloudy water ment the tank was almost done with it's cycle, or if it was half way through or ?

fishbum

the water will probally be cloudy for a few days.its a good sign.its the bacteria growing.then your ammonia and nitrites should start to lower.you might want to get a API master test kit.they will test for everything you need.

when i set up my tanks they got cloudy with in the first3 or 4 days and it lasted for about 24hrs.two weeks later and their still not done cycling.i also have fish in mine and unfortunatly due to the more frequent water changes,this slows the cycling process down.

SDMatt

Cool.. My tank has been cloudy for 2 days now. The fish seem fine, it just looks bad.

I had a feeling that the frequent water changes might be slowing down the cycle. I thought cycling with fish would help speed up the process, but my gut was telling me differnet. I've been doing 10% changes every day. Should I back off to every other day? or ??

I feel like I've got the ammonia detoxified. So ideally, I should probably get a kit to test nitrites and nitrates... and let the level of Nitrites dictate the water changes while establishing the cycle.

One thing I think every newbie should get it a master test kit. I don't think this point is stressed enough in anything I've read. I knew better, and I tried to save a few bucks. Now I'm [most likely] gonna end up getting a master kit anyway.

Thanks...

SDMatt

Ok... so I broke down and bought an API master test kit.

My nitrites and nitrates are at 0. My ammonia is still high (8ppm).

Now I'm just gonna hold on tight, and test the water every other day. My fish don't apeear stressed, but the water is still cloudy. I'm hoping I'll see something soon.

-SDMatt

bhcaaron

I see! I see! I see what looks like pee! (well pee is the ammonia in the cloudy water right?)

SDMatt

Water cloudyness is almost gone completly gone now... but I still have no sign of nitrites or nitrates

I know... I know... be patient.

I'm a bit suprised by this. I stoped doing my daily water changes (for about a week now). The tank has been up with fish for a month now. I was hoping that having the water clear up on its own was a sign of something good to come.

-SDMatt

SDMatt

Ok..

It's been about 6 weeks now, and I still have no sign of Nitrites nor Nitrates.

I'm wondering if I may have some chloramine in the water. Would this allow for ammonia build up while preventing (killing) the bacteria necessary for my tank's cycle??

Whatta ya all think?

-SDMatt