endrasgarden

So I setup my 37g tank a week ago. I used super-bac in an effort to kick start the cycle. So far Ive had no luck. ammonia levels have been ranging from about .5 to about 3.0. I have no nitrates. My pH is slightly alkaline (like 7.5-7.8) according to some tests, and 7.0-7.1 according to others. My local fish guy said to give it about 30 days and not to do any water changes. I've got 3 swordtails in there now. I've also got a bio-wheel filter. I've also got about 40 pounds of gravel which someone told me could increase ammonia levels. I've been feeding twice a day but only as much as they can eat in < 5secs. I'm concerned about my ph (gonna be a NW cichlid tank) and my lack of nitrites... What do I do?

Shawnie

Hi endrasgarden...id worry more about the ammonia and your fish than the ph...from this point on, I would get some prime, and do daily water changes of at least 50% until the cycle finishes so that the fish wont perish .....great job on the Local fish guy telling you 30 days for a cycle...but you need the water changes with fish in the tank .....unless you can get some tetra safe start, which will cycle the tank much quicker, doing a fish cycle is all thats left for now ...goodluck!

shih-tzu mom

Endrasgarden-Hi;-i used the new Super-Bac and was very dissapointed as i tore down the whole tank and restarted the ammonia way and fishless lol but i had all excellant readings but somehow i didn't believe the tests i took and decided to go the old way and be sure-but did you start withfish and if you did your'e not suppose to change the water but to save your fish above poster is right. and feed less and hope it works lol. good luck bella

Dozey

I have to concur with the others. Since you already have fish in you are going to have to keep up daily water changes (50%). This is to keep ammonia and nitrite reading down. Use Prime to deal with the Ammonia.

IMO… get rid of that bacteria in a bottle. You might just find yourself adding it for the life of your tank.

Since you have fish in and will have to do daily water changes you should expect that it will take far longer then 30 days to cycle your tank.