Cheryl

Hi, I am cycling a 90 gallon tank and have 2 mollies, 2 swords, and 3 plattys in it. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks into the cycle but have been doing a few water changes because Amonia was high. I have noticed one of my swords always swimming at the top of the tank. I thought that was due to needing oxygen but i have a large airstone which provides quite a bit. I also have plants in the tank and have already been feeding the plants. Any ideas on why the sword would be swimming up top? I use prime to condition the water, and also Nitramax (bacteria) every few days. I just did a water change today so I cant test the water until tomorrow. It;s been awhile since I have cycled a tank and wondered if I'm doing everything right. Thanks for any help!

Lucy

Hi Cheryl,
When cycling with fish, you should be doing daily water changes.
I hope your fish feel better, good luck.

susitna-flower

Hi Cheryl, Poor babies......

Any ammonia or nitrite in a tank is enough to stress fish, that is why we ask folks to do the fishless cycle described in the following links.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm Option 3 here.

another link that describes in a little more detail.

2 Ammonia methods of cycling your fishless tank

As long as you continue to have readings for ammonia or nitrite over 0 you need to be doing 25-50% water changes every day.

I sure hope your fish survive. Good Luck

COBettaCouple

Are his fins clamped?

While cycling with fish in the tank, it's best if you can do 25% daily water changes (or even every couple days on that larger tank). I also think that the Nitramax bacteria could be damaging the cycling.. some of these bacteria products, like Cycle, contain bacteria that will actually kill off the bacteria that you want.