Betta Fin Rot and Nitrogen Cycle

I'm having a lot of trouble and have not been able to get the answers I need. I've had my betta for a month now and have been trying to cycle the tank, but no luck. He is in a 5.5 gallon tank. He had fin rot which I had seemed to get under control and he even had new growth on his fins, but suddenly his fins are starting to get worse again. I can't get the ammonia levels down to 0, or when I do, they go right back up pretty quickly. I can usually keep them under .5 though. I do about 50% water changes every other day and 75% the other days. I'm wondering if the stress from constant water changes is causing the fin rot. He seems very happy, he's interactive and loves to be talked to. He's just as colorful as the day I got him. He's acting okay but I just can't get the ammonia levels to stay down. I tried aquarium salt and stress coat+ which is what seemed to get his fin rot better before, but it's not really working now. The fin rot is not really bad, and it doesn't seem to be progressing very fast though. He doesn't have the dark brownish/ black around his frayed fins anymore though like he did before and doesn't really have any holes like he did before. I also removed all the plastic plants or anything that could be sharp against his fins. I'm just not really sure what to do at this point. Help!!!

My current levels are

Ammonia- .5

PH- 6.6

Nitrite- 0

Nitrate- 0

Temp- 78

 

Are you using prime to help bound the toxic ammonia ? Your tank isn't properly cycled because 0 Nitrates isn't a good sign and you should never have Ammonia. Your tank not being cycled is allowing a build up of toxic bacteria that will eat away bettas fins. Look into fish in cycling . You need to cycle your tank . I would also add in some Indian almond leaves and roobios tea that both releases tannin that promotes fin growth & anti bacterial properties. You can also try the medication Seachem Paraguard for fin rot.

 

Are you using prime to help bound the toxic ammonia ? Your tank isn't properly cycled because 0 Nitrates isn't a good sign and you should never have Ammonia. Your tank not being cycled is allowing a build up of toxic bacteria that will eat away bettas fins. Look into fish in cycling . You need to cycle your tank . I would also add in some Indian almond leaves and roobios tea that both releases tannin that promotes fin growth & anti bacterial properties. You can also try the medication Seachem Paraguard for fin rot.

Yes, I am aware and that is what I'm trying to do. I don't use prime a ton because I have been told by multiple people that it's not the best for fish and it hasn't worked for me. I have been trying to cycle my tank. I know all about the cycle and that is what I am trying to do hence the name of this thread. That is why I am doing water changes frequently to get the ammonia levels down as I said in my post. I know what having no nitrates and high ammonia means. I am aware and that is why I am asking for help. I am currently working on cycling my tank but it doesn't happen overnight, that is why I am asking for help. Thank you.

 

I don't know who told you prime doesnt work or not to use it but its the only conditioner that neutralizes ammonia and nitrites at toxic levels so you should be using it..its not harmful to fish or they wouldn't even be selling it to begin with? You need ammomia to reach atleast 2ppm to start the cycle and high enough to convert to nitrites. This is why you need prime so it will bond the high levels while doing fish in cycling.

What are your source water parameters?

 

I don't know who told you prime doesnt work or not to use it but its the only conditioner that neutralizes ammonia and nitrites at toxic levels so you should be using it..its not harmful to fish or they wouldn't even be selling it to begin with? You need ammomia to reach atleast 2ppm to start the cycle and high enough to convert to nitrites. This is why you need prime so it will bond the high levels while doing fish in cycling.

What are your source water parameters?

I've used prime and it doesn't work for me is what I was trying to say. I've used it multiple times and it has not worked for me. My ammonia levels reached over 2ppm and then my fish had ammonia poisoning. It did get over 2ppm for a little while and I'm still having issues with it. I can't really let it get to high levels when I have a fish in there.