GouramiGirl1221

I ordered Safestart and an API freshwater master kit about two weeks ago. My Safestart came in, but the API kit was on backorder, but I decided to go ahead and put the safestart in my tank to try and get it cycling (yes, there are fish in it...I didn't know about the nitrogen cycle before I bought them). My API kit came in about a week later, and when I tested my water I have 0 nitrates and nitrites and ammonia at 2.0, so obviously the safestart didn't cycle the tank because I should have some level of nitrites showing by this point, right?

My question is what do I do now?

Shawnie

that stinks if you put it in a week ago, id get my hands on some prime and daily water changes until the cycle finishes....before I did that id do one more test and really bang that # 2 bottle on the countertop of the nitrate test...its a bugger if you dont..also, check the lot number on the test kit individual bottles to make sure it hasnt expired...theres been a huge lot of api liquid test kits shipped out to LFS that have already expired dates...goodluck!

Lucy

Someone had a post recently, it was their experience that when they added SafeStart, that they had better luck when they added the fish a day or later.
Their theory was since the bacteria in Tetra SafeStart was dormant, it took a few days for it to become active.

I know this doesn't help your situation and I don't know if this holds true for everyone. Actually from what I've been reading, some people have good results, others not so good with this product.

The #2 nitrate bottle has to be really shaken, banged around and otherwise abused to get the crystals mixed and get an accurate reading, so make sure you did that.

By any chance are you using Prime?


Edit: Ooops, Shawnie was quicker than I was!

GouramiGirl1221

I haven't been using prime as my water conditioner, I've been using Aqua Safe. Would Prime be a better option? I'm up for anything at this point...I didn't realize how much work went into fishkeeping before I bought them, and now I'm trying to be retroactive and do things right, but I'm worried sick that they're going to die before my tank cycles.

Also, how do I tell from the lot numbers if the bottles have expired or not?

Lucy

You'll find fish keeping much more enjoyable and less work after the cycle is done!

Alessa

I think that the last two numbers are the expiration date.

at this point daily 50% water changes with prime will save your fishies... Same thing happened to me, and I got a bad batch when I was starting my first tank... it stinks.

mitch

i also put my fish in to early.The product i used was dr tim's. it worked but it took a few days. cut back on feeding for awhile and give it time to work. when you do a water change dont glean the filter.

GouramiGirl1221

I haven't been cleaning the filter or vacuuming the gravel when changing water...I heard that both could interfere with bacteria growth.

pepetj

GouramiGirl1221:

I have read mixed reports on SafeStart. However zero in nitrites might indicate that you have bacteria breaking down Ammonia already; it's easy to get false readings (zero) in nitrates if the reagents are not handled well.

The API has two reagents; it requires 30seconds of vigorously shaking bottle #2 before adding it, then you should shake for 60seconds the sample vial (something always spills out), and give it 5 minutes rest to do the reading.

I use API and Marine Enterprises Inc. Nitrate Test, the latter comes with 4 reagents (A, B and D are liquid, and C is solid particles -Zinc dust- and If I don't bang them... forget it).

Your fish behavior should give important information as for being cycled or not. Ammonia poisoning will show in fish gasping for air. False positives in Ammonia readings are not unheard of. In newly cycled tanks, it is possible to obtain ammonia readings (due to fish waste and food) at some time of the day but not 24/7, that will disappear once your colonies of bacteria take over more surface. This is one of the reasons some ammonia sensitive fish, like otocynclus, cannot be added to newly cycled tanks.

If your pH is lower than 7.0, the ammonia readings reflect ammonium which is way less toxic to fish. What's your pH?

Nevertheless, daily partial water changes will help your tank get the cycle established and keep your fish alive. Hope you can take some time to edit your Aquarium Info, so we know where you are standing.

Don't worry too much, fishkeeping is very rewarding.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Lucy

A light vacuum shouldn't hurt the cycle, it might be a good idea to get the left over food and fish waste out. (Both can create ammonia in your tank)

GouramiGirl1221

Just updated aquarium info. My fish aren't showing signs of ammonia poisoning, the only boy that's surface breathing is my gourami, and apparently that's common no matter what the water parameters are. I know my pH is high...I just got my liquid tests in two days ago, and the strips weren't showing signs of high pH, but I'm in the process of using API's pH down to bring it back to 6.8-7. After comparing the results of the strips to my liquid kit, I definitely see how inaccurate they are. I compared them the first day I got my liquid kit just to amuse myself, and oh my gosh it was terrible. I will most definitely fishless cycle on any future tanks.

All the help is greatly appreciated. With the exception of Prime, I'm glad to know I've been doing everything I can to get the cycle completed and keep my fish alive in the meantime.

Lucy

You're doing really well.

Is your ph that high? Generally most fish can adapt to your ph. It's best for them to have a steady ph, rather than trying to mess with it.

Christian Patti

You were right to use the aquasafe with the safestart as they recommend that. Your first batch of safe-start didn't work just like mine didn't. Seems to be a common thing. You could redose if you don't want to deal with constant waterchanges. Theirs a topic in the forum a few down from this one called Cycle and biospira. I made some informative posts about safe-start in there. The other option is to get prime which is a water conditioner that does what a water conditioner usually does + it detoxifies ammonia so its available for bacteria to feed on but it won't harm the fish. Use prime with constant water changes and your fish will lie although the cycle will take a long time. As far as pH goes. Unless its really extreme low or high don't bother messing with it. I've keep all sorts of fishes in pH 8.2 water. Trying to adjust the pH with chemicals just puts more stress on the fish. They are aquarium bred so they will adapt to your pH.