rae64

Hi everybody! I have a couple questions about cycling my current 10 gallon tank. I got one of those kit-things that they sell you at the fish store, one that comes with the filter and little trial packages and stuff.... sooo, i have had the tank up and running for 3 or 4 weeks now (quite frankly i don't really remember when i started it) and i'm trying to get this whole cycling thing finished up. ive been changing around... say 20% daily with a gravel vaccum, and have been keeping the ammonia at a steady .25. BUT, today 2 things happened.... first, my ammonia has gone up to 1.0, (i havnt changed water today) and nitrAtes started registering. just tiny traces, but still a little bit. no nitrtItes, just nitrates. but, the color pad of the nitrates looks like it could be some nitrites, just with the pad mixed up or something. is that possible? the ammonia test is the API drops one, but the other is a quick dip test.... are those reliable? im really confused, and kind of sick of this tank tanking forever to cycle with nothing changing.

WHOOPS! i forgot to mention whats in my tank... one female platy and cory cat, an apple snail (yellow, his name is dozer :P) and 12 platy fry, one deformed that lays on the bottom.

Jaysee

I don't mean to be harsh, but you should "do something" about the deformed one.

Doing daily water changes is exactly what you need to be doing, so kudos to you. I would suggest increasing the size of the changes to 50%. Ammonia is poison to fish, and even levels of 0.25 PPM will make them sick/kill them. It's really hard to keep ammonia levels down while dong a fish in cycle, so less than 0.25 should be your goal.

On your cycle - vaccuuming the gravel is prolonging it. There is a bacteria colony that wll grow in the gravel, and while you're cycling you don't want to disrupt that too much. Not to say you shouldn't use the vac - just be careful and gentle about it. Don't go jamming the nozzle all the way down and getting the gravel all up in it, turning it all up on end. Also, the water changes prolong the completion of the cycle. By keeping the ammona levels down so that it's less toxc to the fish, the bacteria colonies grow slower. Fish in cycles can take months to complete, just so you know. I would recomend getting a bottle solution like Tetra safe start.

rae64

alright, thanks! so... how do i deal with the little deformed guy? can i feed him to the mother, or is that just mean? could he be diseased or something? also... i heard about fishless cycling after i bought my tank... i wont be doing fish in cycles EVER again...not worth it! i guess ill just have to see what i can do. oh, one more thing... would prime be good in replacement for some gravel vaccuming?
thanks again!

Lucy

Hi rae, most of us agree the strips aren't very reliable. I would suggest you invest in the liquid kits, you'll get a much more accurate reading.
Hang in there and keep up the daily water changes. 3 or 4 weeks isn't that long when cycling with fish.
Good luck.

10gallonmadness

About the deformed fish, you said he lays on the bottom. Do you mean he can't move and swim around?

Jaysee

If you have a fish that will eat it that's one way. Otherwise, for a fry, I'd squish it in a napkin. My preferred method for larger fish is a cup of ice water - it's over in seconds. Honestly, mean would be to keep it alive until it dies on it's own.

Prime is a good product but is not a replacement for water changes/gravel vacs.

Your best bet is to beg your local fish store (LFS) for a clipping of one of their filters. All you need is a piece - have them bag it in tank water so it doesn't dry out. Then just stick it in your filter so that it's in contact with your media. The established bacteria colony on the little piece of filter media will mutiply very fast - you should have the cycle completed within a week. If you do this, I would not do water changes during that time because letting the concentration build is going to cause the bacteria colony to grow faster.

DarkFin

Lol, funny you have a prefered method...

I cycled it with fish and it seemed much faster. i would get an undergravel filter aloung side with your carbon filter. this will keep the water from getting so gross and probably will help your fish stay alive while oyu wait for the tank to cycle. DEFINANTLY invest is liquid tests, and For my opinion, i would invest in one of those smart filters. they are incredibly efficient and make barely any sound, but they keep the water ridiculously clean.

rae64

might as well feed it to the other one... at least she can get a little protein. yes the fry cant swim... i think it has a curled spine or something. he just waves his little tail and spins in circles. poor little fella.

rae64

well, she gobbled him right up. now at least i know for sure the fry are too small to be released back into the tank..... RIP little fishie.

DarkFin

rae64

i actually am planning on getting another, larger tank.the 10 g is just to much of a hassle maintaining water quality. if i do, im investing in a much nicer filter.. i feel it is money well spent.

rae64

no, DarkFin... i had a platy and a cory.... then my platy had the babies. they are still only a few days old.... little tiny things... so cute!

DarkFin

Jaysee

Well, I've got lots of tanks with lots of fish and I actively cull fish that turn out to be less desirable. And, if you've ever battled a case of neon tetra Disease in a fully stocked tank, you come up with a preferred method real quick. I've also made lots of mistakes along the way.

I agree 100% about getting a liquid test kit. I disagree 100% about the undergravel filter. They are more trouble then they're worth.

DarkFin

Really, I have had tons of success in three different tanks with underground filters... but they are hard to figure out, but i had them work.

rae64

ok... so heres the most recent update.... today my ammonia climbed to like.... almost 1.5 so an emergency water change quickly fixed that.... its now down to below .25 ppm. I officially DESPISE quick dip tests, and think that my next investments at the lfs will be as follows:
shrimp pellets
brine shrimp
LIQUID TEST KITS.
my filter media was looking shabby so i took it out and rinsed it in the old tank water.... i replaced it, but left the old hanging over my bubble-maker (airstone?) for good oxygenation. i tied it to the back of the tank with some thread :P

just read another thread about filter media.... im gonna sink mine or find a place for it in the filter.....