ahcash

Hi All,

Started my first 10g tank (inherited) 2 weeks ago. I made a few mistakes, the tank was not cycled before I put the fish in and the it is overstocked. I felt sorry that my 2 guppies couldn't take it anymore and decided to give up..

It's been running about 2 weeks now and I am extremely cautious about their behaviour and water tests.

I want to get some idea from you guys / gals. What do you think of the following test result. I only started writing down my test results 3 days ago..

Day 1.
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 50
pH = 7.2

Day 2 (no much changes from day 1)
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 50
pH = 7.2

Day 3
Ammonia = 1.0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 50
pH = 7.0 - 7.2

Not sure if my tank has actually cycle given that it's only been running for 2 weeks. I have been doing daily 25% water change. Using Prime for Chlorine and Ammonia. Was going to buy SeaChem Stability but out of stock. I was surprise to see that Nitrite reading is zero but the ammonia has gone up to 1 and some Nitrates reading of 50?

My 4 angels seems to be happy swimming and not loosing apetite. Their gill seems to be fine and not breathing heavily.

What do you think?

jsalemi

Sounds like the cycle may have been 'broken' and it's now restarting, so you're seeing the ammonia spike. Those nitrates are pretty high for doing 25% daily water changes, though. Have you tested your tap water to see if it has nitrates in it?

CPVFD325

Well, I wouldnt say you made a mistake by adding fish before it cycled because you need fish to cycle the tank unless you go the other route and add pure ammonia. I would test your tap water just as jsalemi suggested just for piece of mind. From the info youve given us. I think its one of two things. Either your tank has completely cycled (incredibly fast) and the bioload is too heavy for your bacteria to keep up with (hence the slight increase in ammonia) or your tank has not cycled at all and is just starting. If that is the case im stumped to why your nitrates are so high unless its in your tap water, with daily 25% partials it should have been reduced by now. I would keep a close eye on it and just let it be, watch what it does.

You stated its overstocked......just out of curiousity, what have you got in this 10g?

sgould

Welcome! A couple of observations from your post:

1) With respect to your test readings...your tank is definitely not cycled. The fact that you have ammonia at all, and that it is in fact rising, indicates that the cycle is in its early stages. I would expect the ammonia to continue to spike for awhile, after which it will begin to decline while nitrite spikes. It is interesting that you have such high nitrate readings, and I would also suggest testing your tap water for nitrate to see if that is the source. In any event, the humane thing to do for the fish would be to get them out of the tank and complete the cycle fishless.

2) Sounds like you may already be aware of this, but a 10 gallon tank is far too small for angels. You will need to look into either a larger tank (for 4 angels, I would suggest a 30 gallon), or look into trading the angels in for something smaller.

ahcash

ohhh.. I just remember I'd made another mistake in the first week. I change the filter system because I thought the old inherited filter system did not do the job right. I replaced it with a Bio Wheel Filter. <-- Could be the reason for the strange reading.. I will do a test from the tap water for nitrates reading and keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the comments so far.

I had 1 baby pleco, 4 baby angels and 6 neons. 2 guppies (RIP).

CPVFD325

Well changing your filter was most likely for the better. Those Bio-wheel filters are great! they give the bacteria a place to live. However, if the old filter was just a single filter with one filter element without a bio media (ie. sponge,wheel, scotchbrite looking thing) It probably set your cycling process back a little, but with the new filter you will have much better luck in the future. You will always have your "good bacteria" living in the wheel and you can change your filter without worries.

Now, I slightly disagree with sgould, If your angles and other fish are used to the water they are in, and are happy, eating and not breathing hard. I would let them be. They will produce the waste needed to complete the cycling process and will not need to be reintroduced to the tank after its cycled with ammonia or food. You are on the right track. I would just let it be. The final say will be up to you. There are two types of people when it comes to cycling tanks. 1) Those who use fish. 2) Those who dont.

I do. You need to form your own opinion.