rebeccmh

I used a bottle of Tetra Safe Start to cycle my new 10G housing two bettas. I added a whole 1.69oz (50ml) bottle to the tank and added the bettas on July 29th. Out of curiosity I tested the water on Aug 1st and they resulted as:
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0-5
pH - 7.8

I just tested the water and they were:
Ammonia - 1
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
pH - 7.8

What happened to cause my ammonia to shoot up like this?
It's been 6 days, so should I just wait out the 7-10 days it says to?

Also, I don't know if this would make a difference, but I treated the water with Tetra Aquasafe before adding the TSS. I usually use AmQuel+ and NovAqua+, so should I add some of that to the water to detox it?

Shawnie

Hi rebecca..yes give it the 7-10 days...its the process of the cycle to get ammonia and for a 0 ammonia just a day after is normal also..as bettas arent huge waste producers...if after the 10 days you arent cycled, you deffinately need to do water changes...the aquasafe is recommended for the tank so thats fine......how are the betta kids acting? are they eating and such?

aquarist48

Good afternoon. Since you've added the TSS nothing should be done to or added your tank for 10 days. Some type of chlorine remover has to be added (assuming that is what aqua safe is) prior to TSS being added. I would suggest waiting out the 10 days. I'm sure you'll get some more responses. Best of luck with the cycle.

rebeccmh

Ok, it just worried me that it spiked so suddenly.
They are acting relatively normally I guess with adjusting to the new tank, although the male has gone back to shredding his fins again and the female still has stress lines that come and go. They both eat like their piggy little selves.

aquarist48

Eating and swimming around are always good signs

rebeccmh

Yea, I just figure that any odd behavior is due to them still adjusting to the divided tank. Hopefully it'll work out though, or else I'll have to find something to cover the divider.
I'll try to not test again until the 10th day to avoid my worrying. I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything wrong when adding it to the tank. I'll let you know if it worked or not!
Thanks

Shawnie

when adding TSS with low waste producers like bettas, more is needed.. I feel some bacteria will die off as there isnt enough ammonia to sustain and feed the bacteria immediately with bettas....I always use more with bettas instead of the recommended amount...then it allows some room for die off...but again, thats just my opinion not a fact from the company

rebeccmh

this bottle said it was good for tanks up to 15 gallons...would that have been enough extra?

Shawnie

it could be... we will see after 10 days...I hope things work out!! every time ive used it, the bettas were the hardest and ive always guessed its because of their lack of ammonia....ive changed to using the 3.38 oz bottles for my bettas and had better results....again, thats just whats been working for me and my guesses not what the company says ....ill be crossing my fingers for you all!!!

rebeccmh

Well, I've been planning on getting a 3.38oz bottle as a back up to use when I move to school, just to make sure a mini cycle doesn't occur. I know the directions say to use the whole bottle, but if I get a bigger one and only use it too add a little extra bacteria is it ok to only use some of it?

Shawnie

IMO , no you cant use partial bottles..and it even says use entire contents...I dont think it works as well once oxygen hits it from being opened, and its hard to say how much bacteria you are getting into a tank by using partial portions...that did come from the company as far as partial portions...my guess on not being as productive once opened....

rebeccmh

Ok then, so if I do get some bottles for just in case, then I should get a couple 3.38oz and if I need it then use the whole thing?

rebeccmh

So, today is the 10th day after adding TSS and my test results are:
Ammonia: 1
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5-10
pH: 7.8

Since it still isn't cycled what should I do? Should I add some AmQuel+ and NovAqua+ to detox the ammonia?
I also have another question...I finally got some Vita-chem, but am I not allowed to add it while the TSS is working?

Shawnie

you need to start doing daily water changes with your detoxifier...amquel+ with an API test kit might give you false readings tho...id use the novaqua for now until you are cycled....the tss did not work and you cant rely on it at this point so the vita chem would be fine

rebeccmh

I hope this thread isn't too old to post again, but I just thought of a question about something that could affect the TSS.
I have activated carbon in my filter, would that have removed the TSS? For future reference if I use TSS again should I take out any activated carbon in my filter?
I don't know if this next question is too off topic or not, but I don't understand why some people use activated carbon and why others choose against it...?

Shawnie

no the carbon is fine to use ....I started using it with my overstocked tanks awhile ago...it helped me keep the nitrates down and allowed me to go to every other day water changes instead of everyday with my oscars....I now use it in all my tanks as IMO, it does help with maintenance and prestine water..BUT, I do change it out every 3-4 weeks and I feel its just something else that I spend money on for my fish

there are also many members that do not use it as well...so I think its a personal choice

rebeccmh

OK because I realized after I had used the TSS that I hadn't taken out the carbon, so I wasn't sure if that was ok or not since I know it is used to filter out meds and such.
I got a 3.38oz of TSS for just in case since I am moving back to school in a week. The ammonia has already started going down (0.25) and nitrates rising (10), so hopefully it will work out and I won't have to use it, but again, just in case...