FishJones

Happy Holidays everyone, I need some advice please. I'm kind of at wit's end with this tank, I had no idea what a PITB this cycling would be. I have a 3 week old, 29 gallon freshwater tank with 2 platies and 2 mollies. The ammonia spiked 7 days into it (went to 5) and now for 2 weeks it's been around 1.0 PPM. I have tried everything-Petco beneficial bacteria, Stability, 50% water changes twice a day for the past week, added gravel from an established tank, and I cannot get this ammonia reading to go down. It will of course go down to .50 after the water change, but the next day it goes back to 1. Had nitrates 2 days of 5.0 right after I added the gravel a week and a half ago, but now they are zero and the nitrites have always been zero. What should I do with this? Feel like I am trying everything and it's not working. Also too, could I just put Prime in my tank so as to detoxify the ammonia so this way the ammonia could build for the bacteria and not hurt the fish?? Thanks to anyone's help!!

capekate

Hi FishJones
It is so much work to cycle a tank with fish in it. I would stop using the stability or any of the products that say they give beneficial bacteria to jump start your cycle. They only work for about 24hours and do not give the right type of bacteria. With these products you will have to continue using them all the time. Best thing would be to let the tank cycle on its own. Yes, using Prime with daily water changes will help to detoxify the ammonia without harming the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Best of luck to you and your fish.

Dozey

To add to that, a fishless cycle can take as long as 6 to 8. Cycling with fish in will take much longer as the daily 50% water changes reduces the amount of ammonia available for bacteria to feed on.

You expect your cycle to last as much as 2 to 3 months.

capekate

Hi Dozey, so true! When I started off cycling my 29g with fish it took over two months, and close to three to cycle. With daily water changes, it was no fun at all. When I cycled my 55 without fish it cycled in three weeks! No water changes... ahhh sooo easy on the back! lol..

Dozey

I can’t imagine. The weekly changes are killing me and I can’t wait to get a python. 3 months of buckets? DOH!

FishJones

Hey, Dozey and Capekate, thanks for the help!!! I mean using Prime without water changes so the ammonia can build up for the bacteria, but then the fish would be ok because Prime detoxified the ammonia right? Would this work? Thanks!!!

capekate

Well, the Prime has been used in emergency situations when a person cant get to a water change, but I would really not recommend it.
Im afraid you are looking at daily water changes, using the Prime each time til the tank cycles. With fish in your tank, I would not chance leaving the ammonia to sky rocket more. Can you possibly add more filter media or substrate from you existing cycled tank? that would only help the situation..

Dozey

You might be able to get away with water changes every other day, but I think most members here would disagree. The guideline for fish in cycling is daily 50% water changes. And keep in mind that Prime only detoxifies for 24 hours. So regardless of water changes you would have to add Prime daily.

The problem with every other day water changes is that if your ammonia is reaching double the level between water changes exposing the fish to higher levels of ammonia.

FishJones

thanks Kate and Dozey again, you guys are awesome. Daily 50% for me, fun, fun!!

FishJones

Since I can return my 4 fish and get store credit for them, am I better off doing that, do you think? Would that speed things up, if I added the ammonia myself and doing the fishless cycle? Thanks!!

Dozey

LOL… Now, aren’t you glad you didn’t get the 100 gallon tank?

Lucy

It'll speed things up because you don't need to remove the ammonia the bacteria needs to grow.

The best parts are no water changes and no sick fish.

capekate

If you are able to return the fish, that would IMO be the best solution. Then you can let your tank cycle on its own without having to do water changes. Just keep an eye on the water test results. after your ammonia spikes, then the nitrite spikes.. and you start to see nitrate readings you are on your way. After that, the ammonia will drop to zero, along with a zero nitrite and you will have readings of probably anywhere up to 30-40 of nitrate. Your tank will be cycled then. Before adding fish, do a good 50% water change and you will be good to go.
Fishless is the best way to do it.. you wont have any worries of sick fish or daily water changes. And yes, you can use pure ammonia only and nothing with additives in it. Or use fish food..

FishJones

LOL, definitely!!! I kinda want a bigger tank so can get a jack dempsey, asking for trouble I know, but with the bigger tank, can start off with no fish.

Thanks Lucy and Kate, you guys are great!!