Minnow

I have a 30 gallon tank cycling right now. I got fish before I knew about the nitrogen cycle, so I've been doing a 50% water change every day since September 27. That's over a month, and my mom just found out I've been using 15 gallons of water a day. I'd like to get Tetra Safe Start, but if my tank is going to be cycled soon, should I bother?

I got my API test kit on the 15th, and the parameters haven't changed. They're stuck at ammonia: .5, nitrite: 0, nitrate 0-5 (can't tell what color the water is). Is it normal for the water to stay the same for so long during cycling? I have an extra sponge in my dad's cycled tank, but it'll be 8 days until there's enough bacteria to move it over. How much longer will my cycle take? Please help me! I don't want my mom to be mad at me.

Lucy

Can you borrow a handful of gravel from his tank? Put it in a clean stocking and hang it in your tank.

It seems like a long time to be stuck at that stage.
You haven't had any nitrite readings at all?
With the #2 nitrate bottle, you have have to really shake bang and beat up the bottle to get the crystals mixed.
Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

Minnow

Good idea with the gravel, I've just hung the stocking in my tank. I always shake my #2 nitrate bottle really well. Oh, and I tested the tap water, and got 1 PPM of ammonia! Is there anything I can do about it? Once my tank cycles, it won't be a problem, right?

Also, since my mom was pretty irritated today, instead of a water change, would it be okay if I just add Stress Coat +? It detoxifies ammonia for 24 hours, so I thought it would be okay if I went one day without a water change. Is that okay?

Lucy

Use prime as your water conditioner, it'll detoxify the ammonia. You'll still get a reading, but it should be safe.

Not only shake the #2 bottle, bang it really hard on the side of the a table a few times. The crystals are really hard to mix up and you could get a false reading.

How about nitrites? Were there ever any readings?

I'm thinking you might be cycled and the ammonia your picking up is from the tap water.
Is your tank planted?

Minnow

Okay, I'll bang my #2 nitrate bottle. You know, I never thought I'd type that sentence...

I've never had any nitrite readings, just nitrate.

I don't have a planted tank, just some fake plants and decorations.

How can I tell if my tank is cycled or not? Should I go a few days without water changes? I don't want to hurt my fish...

Lucy

Your tank is cycled when your readings are 0 for ammonia and nitrite with some nitrates showing.

When you started your tank, did you use anything from your dad's tank?
Out of curiosity, what are his readings for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

Since you have ammonia in your tap water, you might always have a reading for it. I'm not sure what to advise you on that except use Prime. Oh, Stress Coat+ claims to remove ammonia also.

Test for nitrates again and post the reading.

Minnow

I didn't use anything from my dad's tank, I knew almost nothing when I started. My dad's tank is cycled, but we're having nitrate issues right now. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 40 nitrates. We've been doing 25-30% water changes every other day, but nothing really happens with the parameters.

Lucy

Water changes should bring his nitrates down, it only makes sense since you're diluting the water. On his tank I'd go with a 50% change, that should cut the nitrates in half.
He's kind of overstocked so that could account for the higher nitrate. Once you get it down, he may need to adapt his water change routine.

Any way, you weren't asking about his tank, sorry

I wondered about his ammonia reading, since his is 0, you should be able to get yours there too. Seeding your tank should help.

Do you vacuum your gravel, have you changed any filter media?

Fish Addict

Also, do you use any water conditioner (something to get rid of the ammonia and chlorine) when you do your water changes?

Minnow

It's fine, Lucy, I've been wondering about his tank, too. We did a 50% water change and intense gravel vacuum the first time, and smaller (25-30%) changes with some gravel vacuuming after that. He doesn't know that much about fish, so I do most of the maintenance for his tank now that I'm learning. His has been established for two years, but after most of his fish died, he only had a one-eyed Bosemani rainbowfish in there until around a month ago. He added all his new fish in two batches- first the tetras and gouramis, and then the mollies. His rainbowfish was really old, and it died before he added the mollies.

I vacuum the gravel in my tank, but not too much, and I don't move any of my decorations around. I did change the carbon in the filter when I started up the tank, but then I took it out because I didn't think it was doing anything. Right now I have a big black sponge and the two thick, cottony pouches the carbon was in.

I always use Stress Coat+ when I do water changes, because I don't have Prime. As far as I know, they do the same thing. I think the Stress Coat works really well, all my fish seem healthy right now.

I use regular Stress Coat for my dad's tank, since ammonia isn't a problem for him.

cognizant

If you are worried about wasting too much water you can also consider using the water from the tank to water your plants (if you have any). I stopped watering my garden with the hose and sprinkler and started pouring the tank water into the garden. The flowers have never been prettier and during the summer I had huge cucumbers and zuccini. The fish waste is a great fertilizer.

Lucy

Ok, thanks for the info. I like Stress Coat too.
I'm stumped as to why your cycle is taking so long.

I know another member who's tank took 9 weeks with fish.

Now that you've seeded the tank, things should progress for you.

Sorry I couldn't help to figure it out. Hopefully someone else will see this and be able to give more insight.

Good luck

Minnow

I suppose I could do that... my tank is upstairs in my room, though, and it sounds like a lot of work to haul my huge, yellow bucket downstairs (it's one of those buckets you use for mopping, and it holds around 8 gallons). Maybe I could ask my dad to help, though. Good idea!

Minnow

Oh, Lucy, I didn't see you'd posted. I need to refresh more often...

I hope the cycle speeds up. If it takes much longer, I'll have the extra empty carbon-pouch-sponge-thing ready (what are those called? I can't remember), but your info has been really helpful. I hope the gravel does the trick. Thank you so much!

Lucy

Your welcome, you'll get there

Minnow

Hooray! I tested the water today, and got:

Ammonia: A bit under .25
Nitrite: Still 0
Nitrate: Definately 5.0

I guess the gravel has really helped! Thanks so much for the suggestion.

One more question: Can I cut back on the water changes? I didn't do one yesterday, I just added Stress Coat Plus to detoxify ammonia. What would be a good, conservative water change schedule?

Lucy

Great nitrates! Test again tomorrow, see what the ammonia is. I'd almost bet it'll be 0.
Once the bacteria processes the ammonia in 24hrs you're good to go with maintenance water changes.

Minnow

I tested the water, and I got:

Ammonia: 0!
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: Probably 2.5

That gravel really did the trick. How long should I keep it in there? And how long should I wait until I add a few more fish? I'd like to get a school of corys, so I want to make sure the water is perfect.

Lucy

Yippee!

I'm not sure, I'd guess leave it in for about 2 weeks to be safe.

The bacteria needs a source of ammonia otherwise it'll die off, so either feed the tank a little fish food everyday or go ahead and add your fish now

Minnow

I was going to get a school of 5 corys today, but I tested the water just to be sure, and the ammonia was back up to .25! I did a small water change, and tested several hours later, and there was no difference. I thought I was already cycled. What went wrong?

I have an extra, empty carbon pouch in my dad's filter. It's been there since the 22nd. Will it help to put it in my filter now? If not, what should I do?

Lucy

Aw, heck. Cycling can be so frustrating. You should probably wait till mid week to move it. I beleive it takes at least 2 weeks for the bacteria to establish it's self.

Minnow

I moved the pouch to my tank on Wednesday, and the next day, I had 0 ammonia. I planned on going to get my corys today. I tested the water before I left, and I have .25 ammonia again All my other readings are fine: 0 nitrite, 5 nitrates. What do I do? How long should it take for my cycle to finish? I can't wait to get my corys, but I know not to buy them until my tank is ready. Is there anything else I can do to speed up the process?

kacie

I know another member who's tank took 9 weeks with fish

Lucy are you talking about my interminable cycle? Yes it took at least 9 weeks with fish. Will everyone hate me but once your readings are lower and your cycle is almost complete, do smaller water changes every other day and don't forget there is ammonia in your tap water so how is this affecting your readings? Maybe test 24 hours after your water change and see if he bacteria has taken care of the ammonia?

Lucy

kacie, I didn't know yours took 9 weeks, yikes! I was talking about Shawnie's 9 week cycle.

It takes longer with fish because you're actually removing the ammonia the bacteria needs in return for the health of your fish.

That's not bad advice, kacie, especially if Prime is being used as the water conditioner.

Fish Addict

It sounds to me like your tank actually is cycled, since it has Nitrates, and it's been a while. I think it is just because your tank has to remove the ammonia that is in your tap water that it keeps saying you still have ammonia. I would say that you are cycled enough to get the corys, and as your bacteria keep growing, it will just process the ammonia from your tap water faster...

kacie

But maybe 5 at once would be too much. Space it out don't add all at once.

Minnow

Should I get them one at a time, or should I get two at first, then three?

Minnow

I tested the water again today, and it's still at .25. I did a 25% water change, and scraped some alqae off the walls of the tank. I'll test the water later tonight. If doesn't go down, can I still get a cory or two? How many at a time?

Lucy

I'd wait 24hrs then test it.

Minnow

Okay. Can I get two corys tomorrow if the water tests well, or should I stick with just one to start?