mcurtissdsu

Dang it!! I've been trying really hard to get my tank to cycle...like many others that I've seen on here, I had no idea about the nitrogen cycle until I started coming to this site. I have 3 guppies and an angelfish in a 10g tank, I've had them since December 15th or so. A little over two weeks ago I treated the tank for camallanus worms because my angel had visible worms...so gross. Anyway, I have to do a second treatment on Sunday to kill any worms that may have hatched since the first treatment.

So after the first treatment I did as close to a 100% water change as I could. I basically left just enough water in the tank to keep the fish covered. I then let the tank sit for 3 or 4 days. Anyhoo, on Monday, 03/01 I tested the water. I had 0.5 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5 nitrates. I did a 50% water change. Everyday since then, and it is now 03/09, my readings have been 0.5 ammonia, 0.25 nitrites and 5 nitrates. I have done a 50% water change everyday since and on 03/01. I've been using Prime for my water conditioner. I feed them a little bit of each of flakes, freeze dried brine shrimp and pellets every other day.

Am I doing something wrong or does this seem normal? Also, stupid me, I forgot to add the prime to the first container of tap water (about 2.5 gallons) I added to the tank today! I remembered to add it to the second 2.5 gallons but I'm wondering if the chlorine is going to kill my good bacteria??

AlyeskaGirl

No, you are doing fine....that's what you want to see now is nitrites showing, which is the byproduct of ammonia oxidation, basically bacteria that is harmful, but it means your tank is cycling, just keep doing the water changes and adding Prime until you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and some nitrAtes around 20 or less.

mcurtissdsu

Excellent, thank you I wanna give them the most perfect little habitat I can give them!