kimb

Cycle is a good name for what fish tanks go through...peddling and peddling often wondering if you are gettilng anywhere! I am still struggling to get my 29g cycled (with fish in) and now the new 10g is stalling. My 29 was going along fine...daily w/c, some nitrites. The magic day a week ago of no ammonia was cause for celebration...then I lost a platy. Did my usual water changes, noticed a "blood spot" on one of the danios. Added some extra stress coat, continued water changes. Still no ammonia, but now nitrates are back to "trace". I am waiting for LFS delivery of nitrate testers. Is it possible for nitrite spike to only be 1.0? This was the highest nitrites I saw before a water change. My 10g has become overwhelmed by ammonia. Tried the recipe of adding each day, but nitrites I think were too slow to catch up. The ammonia is off the charts, and no nitrites (thank goodness no fish). Should I empty tank and start all over? Or leave it and allow nitrite to catch up? Sorry for the long post, but I don't know what to do

Llama

Just to give you an idea, my 160l tank's nitrIte spike was a bit less than 2. So I wouldn't be surprised that the spike is only 1 ... especially if you're 50% water changing each day.

As for the 10g, if there isn't enough ammonia to actually POISON the bacteria (i have no idea how much that is), then leave it, its all for the best. Otherwise 50% change it and see if you can 'start over'

kimb

Thanks Llama! I hope my LFS gets the nitrate tests in Tuesday as promised. At least the daily water changes will keep the nitrates (if there are any) down. As for the 10g, my concern was that the ammonia would go "stale". I did not add any yesterday or so far today. I am hoping what is already in there will keep feeding the nitrites.