mercurybebe

Got a 30 gal tank set on mother's day and went out the next day and got a zillion (31) fish. Had never heard of the aquarium nitrogen cycle, etc. and stumbled across Fishlore while looking for info on blue neon tetras.

I was horrified to read about the ANC and learn that all my fish were in immediate danger because of my inexperience so I dashed out to get the API liquid test kit and Stability to try and save the fish.

I read everything I could about the ANC, did readings and an immediate water change (with a cup and bowl...didn't even have a vaccum!) in addition to the Stability.

Long story short, it has been almost 3 weeks and I have lost a few fish, but also had a Platy give birth to at least 1 fry that I found (but she died a few hours later ) The tank has 26 fish left and while I know it is overstocked, I dont have another tank right now.

My question is that I dont understand how to know when my tank has finished cycling. I just took readings and the ammonia is 4.0, Nitrates are 0 and Nitrites are 0. I did have Nitrates (20) a few days ago, but the level is down at zero again and I have yet to see Nitrites. The pH goes up and down.

I bought some ammonia lock because I am dont know what else to do about the high ammonia levels. I dont want to lose anymore fish!

How often should I test the water and other than low ammonia, what should I be looking for to know if it has cycled or not? Should the nitrates and nitrites remain at 0?

I feel so stupid for not researching this BEFORE I brought all these poor fish home. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to help them...

Right now the tank has:

9 platy fish (4 males and 5 females: 3 apparently pregnant)
1 platy fry (if it is still alive?)
2 rasboros
2 cherry barb
2 glowlight tetras
5 blue neon tetras
1 chinese algae eater
3 bloodfin tetras
1 red-skirted tetra (I think he is dying...)

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore

Don't worry, many of us made the same mistakes, you're not alone.
First I would suggest you stop using stability. With this product, you have to add it with every water change. IMO, it's best to get let the beneficial bacteria develop and not worry about your cycle crashing by using bacterial additives that need to be used all the time.

Your ammonia reading is very toxic. I would do a 50% water change now.
Continue to do 50% daily water changes. Use Prime as your water conditioner, that'll detox the ammonia and nitrite for 24 hrs between water changes,
Test your water right before every water change and keep a log of it.
I don't know enough about ammo-lock to comment, as it's changes over the past few years, personally, I'd stick with Prime only.

When your readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 5-10 nitrates,your tank is cycled.

Hang in there, and good luck

Beth1965

Don't get too much more excited, we've all been there to one extent or another.
It's great that your're researching and came to an awesome place for advice.
IN the end you want slight nitrate readings with NO amonia. You'll get there.
Are you still doing water changes?
I think the majority will tell you to stop with the amonia block and let the cycle continue on it's own. Don't worry about the PH right now.
You might want to investitgate the usage of Safestart.
Others will be aboard with more details on what to do.
OH!! Welcome to Fish Lore, it's a great comminuty.
Beth

mercurybebe

Thank you both so much for your posts. I haven't bought Prime yet so I will get some first thing in the morning!

I have been doing water changes every 48-72 hours, about 10 gallons each time and it is much easier with the vaccum!

The ammonia remover is made by Top Fin and I was told it would neutralize the ammonia in the tank but that it would still register on the tests. So how to know what is accurate?

I also wasn't aware that I would have to use Stability for a long time, I've just been using it daily (more of it with water changes) to try and help the fish survive.

Thank you both again for taking the time to give me the advice...I appreciate it and I am sure my fish will too!

Beth1965

Not sure if you misunderstood or I'm misunderstanding you but you DO NOT need to use Stability for a long time. Lucy was saying you should discontinue the Stability. Use Prime when you do water changes.
You'll do good.
Come back with updates and any and all questions, no questions are stupid.
Beth

Lucy

It used to be that ammo-lock locked up the ammonia and by doing so, would starve any bacteria that had established but I've heard the same thing that you have.
It's ok that the ammonia still registers, that way you'll know what your readings are.
Does it also remove chlorine, chloramines and detox heavy metals?
If so, you should be ok using ammo-lock alone, there's no reason to use 2 conditioners.

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore. You've come to the right place for help.

mercurybebe

I did a 10 gallon water change (the person who gave me the tank said it was either 25-30 gallons) and added the Prime to the water. I just took a reading and the levels are still off.

Ammonia is: 3.0
Nitrite is: .25
Nitrate is: 0
Ph is: 6.0

Yesterday the Ammonia was 4.0 with the Nitrite and Nitrates both at 0.

I haven't been able to locate the ailing red-skirted tetra, even with the water change, so I have a feeling he is no longer with us and somehow lodged in the huge rock cave thing. Going to have to take that out tomorrow and find him. Would that possibly mess with the ammonia levels?

Anyway...just to clarify, the Prime will make these high ammonia levels safe for the fish right? Same for the Nitrites?

When should I do another water change and should it be a larger amount of water?

mercurybebe

Oh I also upgraded my tank heater since the last one was ancient and didn't have an actual temperature setting on it and the tank thermometer kept showing fluctuations from 72-80! This one is set at 77 on the actual heater so hopefully the tank temp with stabilize...don't know if that would effect the whole Cycle thing too?

Beth1965

The tetra that is likely no longer with you can raise the amonia but I really don't know how much. I wouldn't worry about that issue at this point though.
Yes, the Prime will keep the water safe for your fishes until you do another water change 24 hours later (tomorrow). I would do another change in the same amount of water.
Also, how long after the water change did you do the readings? You should wait at least a couple hours.
One other thing, if you want to know the gallons of your tank, ,measure it, there is a conversion chart at the bottom of this page.
Beth

Lucy

I just noticed your pH. At 6.0, that would convert the ammonia into ammonium. Ammonium isn't harmful to your fish.
Your tests will still read it as ammonia because it can't tell the difference.
The cycle may actually take a little longer since the pH is low.
(No, you don't have to adjust it )
Just a suggestion, I would test my water right before each water change.

You're doing great....heading into the 2nd stage of cycling. Keep up the water changes because even thougb ammonium isn't toxic to your fish, nitrites are.
You should start to see the ammonia levels drop as your nitrites increase.

Hang in there

mercurybebe

Again, thank you both for being so helpful...I am so glad I stumbled on to this site, and I to be able to get answers and help so quickly is amazing.

I actually tested the water right after the change today, I didn't know to wait a few hours. I will do so after tomorrow's change and see where things are.

The ph was 7.6 yesterday and 6.0 today so I dont know why it fluctuates so much...guessing it has to do with the water change.

As for the Cycle itself, I think I am getting it...I have had increasing ammonia levels over the past 2 weeks that I have been testing the water...then I had nitrites (.25) develop and go away and then nitrates (20) which also went away...now I am back to nitrites (.25). Am I safe to assume the nitrates will develop again soon?

When the cycle is complete, I will consistently see no nitrites and low levels of nitrates correct? Will the ammonia also level out around zero or is that something that will always fluctuate? Can't seem to get my head around that last bit!

I will measure my tank as well so I know exactly how many gallons I have...that way I know how big of a new tank I need to move my overcrowded fish into! Never ends huh?

Lucy

You got it.
When the cycle is complete, you'll stay at 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites.
The nitrates are the by product of nitrites, they'll continue to rise.
High nitrates, 20 and up are harmful to your fish.
You'll control them by doing weekly maintenance. (water changes and gravel vac)

Test your water right before the water change, it'll give you a more accurate idea of how quickly the bacteria is processing he ammonia.

Have you tested the ph right out of the tap?
I wonder why it's going down in your tank.

mercurybebe

I am still struggling with the high ammonia levels...just tested and it was 2.0

Granted, it has been over 4.0 lately, but I did as thorough a cleaning possible (without taking fish out) last night, taking out 15 gallons and really getting through all the gravel with the vaccum, and I thought it would have dropped more than that.

I am using the Prime and my fish seem happy and healthy, no more deaths since the red skirted tetra!

Going to keep going with the 10 gallon water changes every 48 hours...

mercurybebe

ACK! I just tested the water and got these results:

Ammonia is 2.0
Nitrite is 1.0
Nitrate is 10
Ph is 7.6 (usual)

I did a water change on Friday night, very late and am doing one tonight. I am using the prime (just put some in!) and the fish seem okay...swimming around, etc.

This is the first time I've had nitrites above .25 and the Nitrates have been at 0 for a long time...so this is all GOOD right?

I also had a question about the filter. I have the Tetra Whisper EX and I have not changed the filter cartridge yet. I rinse the chunks off of it in the old fish water before I dump it. I started the tank on mother's day and wasn't sure how often to put in brand new cartridges?



Thanks!

Lucy

Nitrates are a good sign.
If it's got carbon, you should probably dump it or change it, but don't get rid of the whole cartridge, thats where the bacteria is developing.
You really should be doing daily changes when cycling with fish. Even if your fish are looking and acting ok, the ammonia still effects their immune system, make their gills burn and possibly effect their life span.

mercurybebe

I thought I was good with 48-72 hour changes of about 10 gallons each time. If I do it every day, do you think 5 gallons would be okay? Tank is about 25 gallons.

As for the filter cartridge, it is carbon. When you say dont change the whole cartridge, I am confused because it is a one piece thing. Just slips into the holder. The bio-scrubber isn't part of it. So if the good bacteria is on/in the carbon filter cartridge, does that mean I am starting a new cycle with each change? yikes...

Lucy

Look at post # 2's water change recommendation.
Once your tank is fully established you can replace the catridge but for right now you need all the bacteria you can get.
Many of us keep extra sponges in our tanks /filters for extra places for bacteria to grow or to quick cycle another tank.
You only need to replace the catridge when it's falling apart.
I cut a slit in my filter catridge and dump the carbon out.

mercurybebe

For the first time since I started the tank, the ammonia has been dramatically less!!!

I just tested the water (about to do a change) and the ammonia is 0.25!!! It was 2.0 a few days ago! The nitrites are 1.0 and the nitrates are 40. It is really nice to see some progress in the right direction!

Not sure if this would have helped, but I got a spotted cory catfish to help the chinese algae eater since there was so much goop in the rocks when I vaccumed.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped guide me through this!