Shadowbeam

Hey all.

My ammonia levels, according to my test kit (API liquid test kit), have been slowly rising, iv'e been doing water changes about 25%+ every couple of days to try and get it down but it still creeps higher and higher.

My nitrate levels have dropped a little too.

So I'm starting to worry i'm going into a mini cycle!

Current readings are:
Nirtrites 0
Nitrates 5
Ammonia 4! (up from about 1-2 last night)
pH 7.4 (usual)
temp - 25-26

It's a 60 litre tank with 3 mollies, 1 angelfish and 2 platies. Has been going since July 2009. Just had to clean the filter media recently (in tank water) so don't know if this has affected it.

Lucy

IMO, an ammonia reading of 4 is more than a mini cycle.
If it were my tank, I'd start 50% daily water changes with Prime until the tank cycles.
In your aquarium info, it says you use Bacterialife and Green away. What are those and do you still use them?

Shadowbeam

green away and filter aid is stuff you can put in a tank to mak smaller particles clump together to make it easier for the filter to pick them up e.g. algae blooms (i used this when i was having issues with algae) so need to update my info!

I'll start on the daily water changes, but prime is something that isn't sold anywhere near me, is it an american only product? I'll have a look online in any case. I use decholrinator on my water called tapsafe.

Bacterlife encourages the growth of friendly bacteria (thats what it says anyway It was the LFS who said to use it once a week, but then i think of the other advice they gave me and wonder....

Lucy

Oh, sorry, missed your flag. I don't think Prime isn't available in the UK. Can you get Ammolock or Amquel? I forget if Amquel or Amquel+ detox's. You can do a search on the forum, I know there's threads about it.

I suspect your problem is Bacterlife. I don't have experience with it but most products that claim to encourage or cycle your tank actually prevent your tank from cycling naturally.
You have to add it once a week because it's not aquatic and dies off quickly.
That's gonna get expensive over the lifetime of your tank.
Personally, I'd stop using it, bucket down and do daily water changes until the tank cycles properly. Then all you'll need to add is conditioner with water changes.

Shadowbeam

Phew, another mistake listening to the LFS lol. But I feel better now I know what to do.

Iv'e ordered some Prime and since iv'e done a water change today, i'll do another and so on till that Ammonia goes ><

Thanks so much for the advice, such a relief knowing what's probably caused the problem! Can't wait till i get my new tank and i can do it all properly with the right advice this time!

Lucy

Remember, they're there to sell stuff and their advice sounds so convincing.
Hang in there, it's going to take work to get cycled but it'll be worth it.

After your tank has cycled and had a chance to get established, put some extra sponges or other filter media in it. When you get your new tank add that media (as long as it's been in the tank for at least 2 weeks) to your new tank for a faster cycle.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Shadowbeam

More good advice ^^ thanks so much for all your help Lucy, much appriciated. And I'm deffo prepared to put in the work for my beautiful fish

Lucy

You are so welcome!

Shadowbeam

Good news, ammonia down to 1. nitrates 5 and nitrites 0. So i'm getting there!