mommybaby295

Oops, I think I messed up bad. For anyone who didn't read my 2 previous threads: I am starting a 30 gallon fish only tank. I want to keep a couple of small schools and one or two other fish, if possible.

I had bought Cycle at the advice of petstart, petco, and also my LFS. Then you guys told me not to use it, but rather Tetra Safestart, so I bought that at the LFS. The guy told me that since I was using that, I should add fish at the same time, so I bought 3 danios. Now I have a feeling that his advice wasn't so great.

I just took a cup of the water to petsmart, and it has a small amount of ammonia in it (it was around the 1 mark on the strip, I think). The lady at petsmart said that was normal. I asked if it meant that the water was unsafe for the fish, and she said it's not, but I think that was wrong.

I bought some ammonia stuff and added 1/2 the recommended amount.

I think from what I am reading, the cycle is now in the beginning stages, rather than completed like the guy at the store told me. I am at a loss at this point. I guess I did what I didn't want, and am cycling with fish? So at this point, what do I do? If I add the ammonia killing stuff, am I stopping the cycle so it won't complete? Or do I just leave my fishies in there and let them swim around in the ammonia? Do I need to do water changes? I know not to add new fish fish until it is completed.

I feel awful that I did this. I did buy a test kit with a bunch of bottles of liquid and some tubes.

thorpbrian

I'm somewhat new but two pieces of advice come to mind.

1) Stop using the "ammonia remover" unless it is Prime which will neutralize the ammonia but still leave it for the bacteria to use to cycle the tank. Personally I use Prime as my water conditioner because it removes chlorine/chloramine and neutralizes ammonia for 24 hours.

2) I'd do regular water changes (up to 50% per day), and test the water daily until your readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5 to 20 nitrates.

There is no product that will instantly cycle your tank that I know of. However, Tetra Safe Start does a good job of speeding up the cycle. I've heard some people have even got the tank cycled in a week as opposed to 4 to 8 weeks. Unfortunately, until the cycle completes all you can do is be patient and keep up on your water changes to help save the fish. Danios are hardy fish and should hopefully survive the cycle.

bolivianbaby

Welcome to Fishlore

Yes, the ammonia is toxic for your fish. However, everything that is going on and has been going one can be fixed

The test kit is going to be extremely helpful in getting everything resolved and making things safer for your fish.

What products are you currently using in your tank?

What aquarium products do you have on hand that can be used in your tank?

If you could run the tests included in your test kit and give us the readings, we can help you get your tank back on the right cycling track.

mommybaby295

I bought ammonia stuff by Tetra, same company as safestart - that stuff isn't good? where do I get prime?

bolivianbaby

Prime is a product made by Seachem that detoxifies your ammonia and nitrites for 24 hours in between daily water changes. Most LFS carry it.

thorpbrian

Check the label and read it carefully. If it's Aquasafe I don't think that it neutralizes ammonia. I know Prime by works so that what I'd suggest you use in between daily water changes while the tank is cycling and like bolivia said, you should be able to get it at your LFS. Listing what you have on hand and current tank parameters would be helpful also.

Tony G.

You werent doing anything wrong. You're supposed to add TSS ( tetra safestart) with the fish at the same time. The safestart contains the nitrifying bacteria that gets your cycle going, but at the same time its not dangerous for your fish, since the TSS works so that it MAKES the water safe. If you added the ammonia stuff, then the TSS wont work properly. You have to wait 7 days for it to finish up, if you dont have your tank cycled within 7 days of adding TSS then you're gonna have to do it over. Can you test your water? what brand was the "ammonia stuff"
Also, if you add prime with TSS chances are you're gonna mess up with TSS. Just let TSS work, give it 7 days, if youre still showing ammonia by the 7th day, then add a dose of prime, wait a little bit, do a 100% WC and then refill, add your dechlorinator ( i would use Tetra Aquasafe( since its from the same company) and then dose with TSS and add your fish. DO NOT add any other chemicals once the TSS is in the tank...

mommybaby295

Tetra AmmoniaSafe, says it detoxifies dangeous ammonia, fast-acting.
okay, done with the testing. the resukts were unexpected...
pH is 7.2,
nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia all zero. But at petsmart, the ammonia was definately there... maybe the ammoniasafe effected it? I put it in a couple of hours ago.

mommybaby295

and i don't know if it matters, but I have RO water

mommybaby295

So tony, since there's no ammonia now, does that mean I messed up the tetra safestart and I need to buy a new bottle of it?

Tony G.

i dont know if the RO will mess with it...
Chances are the AmmoniaSafe is starving the bacteria...



EDIT:
alright..... some members might disagree with me, but this is what i would do...
If you feel this is wrong then dont do it

Since the ammonia is missing... i would feed the tank... alot.
add a pinch of flakes... let them sink to the bottom and leave them there.
This will decompose and SHOULD be enough to feed the starving bacteria..
Also, your fish should be producing waste, so the ammonia should be coming in soon.
Does it say on the label how long it detoxifies it for?

mommybaby295

no, I read for that informaTIOn and didn't see it

Tony G.

hmmm... wow
i would do a WC but that would mess up the TSS... if you dont mind, you might have to do it over...

Drain the tank, then fill back up, add AQUASAFE to dechlorinate the water, and then add TSS with your fish. First add the TSS and then the fish. Do not introduce any chemicals, just wait it out.

AlyeskaGirl

Yeah, you don't add any other chemicals to the water except a dechlorinator when using TSS. Add TSS then fish. It's suppose to be used with new setups, so do a huge water change then try again. Don't test the water for 7-days or it will drive you nuts because the readings will be all over the place. The fish are safe during that time.

iloveengl

Hi - I used TSS to start my tanks (I'm not patient like everyone else lol) and those last two posts by Tony and Alyeska should set your tank straight. You don't add any chemicals while using TSS, except for a regular dechlorinator.

mommybaby295

thank so much, everyone!

aquarist48

Hello Mommybaby. Great tips and info above. I would like to add that once you fill your tank and add the chlorine remover wait 24 hours before adding the Tetra Safe Start (TSS). Once you add the TSS do nothing to the tank for 7 days. No tests no water changes at all. Your fish should be fine for these 7 to 10 days.
Here is a link to a thread I saved a while back that you may find very helpful.
results using TSS not good..
Best of luck and keep us posted.
Ken