|  |  | | 
March 15th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| levels for new tank
hi guys a quick question ... my tank has been running for two weeks now and im cycling it with zebra danios ive tested my levels and these are the results nitrite=1.0 AMONIA = 1.0 pH 7=7.6 nitrate = 5.0 IS THIS OK OR SHOULD I BE DOING MORE? I DO A 10% water change EVERY 2 DAYS LIKE IVE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE WHEN CYCLING MY TANK WITH FISH PLEASE REPLY | 
| | |
March 15th, 2007
|
| | Moderator
| Re: levels for new tank
You need to get the ammonia down below 1, that is toxic level for your danios. Larger water changes will help.good job with the testing. Keep it up.
Carol | |
| | |
March 16th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Butterfly You need to get the ammonia down below 1, that is toxic level for your danios. Larger water changes will help.good job with the testing. Keep it up.
Carol | thanks for the info carol most appreciated will do a 30% change tommorrow and will post new lrvrls on so check them out plz | |
| | |
March 16th, 2007
|
| | Moderator
| Re: levels for new tank
Cool! Wait at least several hours after water changes to test again in order to get an accurate reading. I usually wait until the next day. Keep us posted 
Carol | |
| | |
March 18th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Butterfly Cool! Wait at least several hours after water changes to test again in order to get an accurate reading. I usually wait until the next day. Keep us posted
Carol | got new levels here they are ammonia=0.50 ph=7.5 nitrate =10.0 nitrite =2.0 any advice appreciated.... could u please give me a guide on what levels should be at so i got something to work towards many thanks | |
| | |
March 18th, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
The nitrite level is too high for your fish. Bump your water change up to 50%. It needs to be below 1.0 on the nitrites. Keep up the good work!  | |
| | |
March 18th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gunnie The nitrite level is too high for your fish. Bump your water change up to 50%. It needs to be below 1.0 on the nitrites. Keep up the good work! | thanks for info gunnie have just completed 50% water change will do re test tommorrow when i get home from work could u tell me wat the ideal levels are for all to help me work towards a decent balance many thanks | |
| | |
March 18th, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
Ultimately, you want the ammonia and nitrite both to be 0. The time it takes for that to happen varies...could be a few more weeks, could be faster. In the meantime, you want to keep the levels of both ammonia and nitrite below 1 by performing partial water changes as necessary until your cycle is complete. Depending on who is speaking, nitrate should be kept below either 20 or 40. My understanding of the pH is that for most species, it is not necessary to alter the pH as the fish will adapt to your water.
Sean | |
| | |
March 18th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by sgould Ultimately, you want the ammonia and nitrite both to be 0. The time it takes for that to happen varies...could be a few more weeks, could be faster. In the meantime, you want to keep the levels of both ammonia and nitrite below 1 by performing partial water changes as necessary until your cycle is complete. Depending on who is speaking, nitrate should be kept below either 20 or 40. My understanding of the pH is that for most species, it is not necessary to alter the pH as the fish will adapt to your water.
Sean | thanks for help sean its most welcome im only a newbie at this game and doing my best so any other advice would be great | |
| | |
March 19th, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
Hi gilly, first let me say you are doing an awesome job. The hardest part is over, you are asking for info., and things are progressing nicely. One addition to the advice given so far, is that even when your ammonia and nitrite are 0, your tank is ALWAYS changing. For that reason you have to continue testing at least weekly. I do a 50% water change any time my nitrate gets above 10. The reason I do this is that although nitrates are not as "fatal" as ammonia or nitrite, they DO affect the health of your fish. Their natural immunities are lowered and they are susceptible to disease.
This is the # 1 reason to not over crowd your tank, it will be easier to keep the nitrates down. If your tank is planted with real plants they utilize some of the nitrate. The only other way to remove it is through water changes. Keep up the good work.
Fish in the Frozen North 8) | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by susitna-flower Hi gilly, first let me say you are doing an awesome job. The hardest part is over, you are asking for info., and things are progressing nicely. One addition to the advice given so far, is that even when your ammonia and nitrite are 0, your tank is ALWAYS changing. For that reason you have to continue testing at least weekly. I do a 50% water change any time my nitrate gets above 10. The reason I do this is that although nitrates are not as "fatal" as ammonia or nitrite, they DO affect the health of your fish. Their natural immunities are lowered and they are susceptible to disease.
This is the # 1 reason to not over crowd your tank, it will be easier to keep the nitrates down. If your tank is planted with real plants they utilize some of the nitrate. The only other way to remove it is through water changes. Keep up the good work.
thanks for the advice and encouragement susitna-flower it is nice to see a site where fellow fish keepers are so friendly even if u are making mistakes, if u have any advice on other things please let me know there is one question i would like to know which is ... what are the signs that tell you your tank is fully cycled? ps doing 10% water change today and testing tommorrow will post results for advice many thanks ....gilly
Fish in the Frozen North 8) | | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
Your tank is cycled when the ammonia is 0, the nitrite is 0 and nitrates go up usually you will see 5 or above for them. The problem from there is that any new addition of fish, or disturbance of the nitrogen cycle bacteria (like cleaning your filters, or using medications), can cause a 'mini cycle' where the ammonia and nitrites go up again!  This is why I said you have to continue testing, even with well established tanks. If it goes into a mini cycle, start your 50% water changes again until it settles back with 0 ammonia and nitrites.
Fish in the Frozen North -2F this morning! | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Re: levels for new tank
I am presently cycling a 10 gallon with fish... I did this before I realized there is a better way. My next tank I would like to cycle with a cube of frozen fish instead of the live fish.. I think it would be easier since no fish means no water changes and a faster cycle.
Anyway this is from the last 4 weeks of the 10 gallon being tested / cycled with fish and a product called Cycle...
Week 1
PH 7.6
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .0
Nitrate 5.0
Week 2
PH 7.6
Ammonia .50
Nitrite .50
Nitrate 15
Week 3
PH 7.6
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 10
Week 4
PH 7.6
Ammonia .0
Nitrite .5
Nitrate 10
It still isn't finished but you get the idea of how the numbers can fluctuate.  Hope this helps some.. | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
thanks to all who have given me advice it really helps, here are results for test yesterday amm=0.25 ph=7.6 nitrite=2.0 nitrate=40.0 any ideas please post
thanks gilly | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
im on to it right away thanks alot susitna-flower | |
| | |
March 20th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
Quote: |
Originally Posted by gilly2402 im on to it right away thanks alot susitna-flower | done water change will post results of tests on site tommorrow evening dont know what time that will be in usa but here around 7pm many thanks
could you also answer the question i have posted about L.E.D lights i have had no replies as yet so dont know much about them its down a few questions in general discussion dont know how to give you links | |
| | |
March 21st, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
| |
| | |
March 21st, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
I would continue doing 50% changes every day that the ammonia or nitrite get up over where they are today. Depending on how much you feed, or how many fish you have in the tank it might be every day. Look at tan.b 's profile and look at her posts. She was having the same problem, it took several weeks, but eventually her tank was fully cycled, and it is fine now.  This is all a learning process for everyone. I am happy your levels came down with the change. Keep up the good work.
Fish in the Frozen North 8) | |
| | |
March 23rd, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
| |
| | |
March 23rd, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
| |
| | |
March 23rd, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
Hi gilly, sorry about your danios. Has the drop in PH just showed up since you changed test equipment? Could it be that it didn't change, just shows different on different test kits?
Have you changed anything else about how you are taking care of your tank....Did you add driftwood? Or use bottled water in a change? There are several things that cause a drop or rise in PH, but it is usually associated with some action taken in the tank. Have you added CO2? Do you have any metal in your tank? The source of water for your tank, what does it test for PH before going in your tank?
As for whether it could have caused the death, look up the specifications for danios, and if 6.4 is ok for them, then it probably wasn't it. Fish can tolerate PH changes fairly well if it takes place over a number of hours. I hope you can figure this out.
Fish in the Frozen North 8) | |
| | |
March 24th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
thanks for info april, i havent done anything different to wat i normally do,nothing has been added eg driftwood,plants or ornaments etc im cleaning tank filter once a week , glass every couple of days and water changes every 2-3 days or when needed and using same test kit ive always done .......oh wait a minute i brought a different brand of de-chlorinator from pet shop in my village which is a blue colour maybe this was key i just cant understand it but i suppose its all part of the learning curve.i read the article on old tank syndrome very useful information thanks for help | |
| | |
March 24th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
| |
| | |
March 24th, 2007
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Re: levels for new tank
Congrats Jr,
One thing, the bacteria you are trying to grow to change all that ammonia and nitrite into nitrate live in your filter, and on the glass, gravel and decorations. Don't be washing that filter out in chlorinated water, or hot, or cold water, this will kill the bacteria off. Catch a little of your tank water as you syphon it out for a water change, and rince the filter media in that. You also don't want to clean the glass off to vigorously, since I have otoes in my tank, usually I don't even have to clean any algae, they do it, and the tank stays crystal clear.
Have you tested your tap water for ph? I would be interested in what that reading is. Mine comes out at 7.4. I have driftwood in the tank, (3 pieces), and the tank ph usually sets at 7.2. Hope you are having a great day!
Fish in the Frozen North 8) | |
| | |
March 25th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
morning april, i tested ph in water from tap it was 7.4 same as yours which is ok still trying to figure out y ph dropped gonna do test on tank today will post results later coz i got to see my nephew before he goes to iraq (staying safe i pray) | |
| | |
March 25th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
| |
| | |
March 25th, 2007
|
| | Fish Bum
| Re: levels for new tank
i hope he stays safe too i seen him today and his posting has change from iraq to afghanistan so pray he stays safe aswell will do 10% water change tommorrow and will post results then thanks april | |
| | |
March 26th, 2007
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Re: levels for new tank
hi there! sounds like all is going well at last. cycling does seem like an uphill struggle, but with plenty of water changes ( i remember it well!) it will work out. just one thing to mention which i dont think has been mentioned yet is when your tank is cycled (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and below 20 for nitrate) dont rush out and fill your tank with fish. when you add fish you increase ammonia production, so there is lag time before the bacteria mulitply to keep up. so just buy a few at a time and wait at least a week and if water tests say that your tank is still zero for the ammonia and nitrite before adding more. everything i'm afraid takes time. nightmare for me cos i'm soooooo impatient!!!
have a look on the freshwater for beginners board...theres loads of info on there. any questions, please do ask us. we'll always try to help and do share your stories, we're always glad of a read!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!! tan | |
| | | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
You should do a 50% water change. It is great your nitrates are coming up, the cycle is in progress, but 40 on nitrates are to high also, I always do a water change if nitrates get up as high as 20. My goal for fish health is to keep the nitrates 10 or below. Lots less stress on the fish. 