Crashed Cycle?? Please Help

[ZoeNC1]

Hello there this is not for my tank top my little brother’s. He has a 10 gallon with filter and heater I was keeping away from him cause I was trying to deal with my own cycling process but he seemed fine. We both started late March and by about mid April his test results had seemed like he was ready. 2 to 0 ammonia with 0 Nitrites and 5-10 nitrates Within 24 hours. After this he got some fish 3 Albino Cory’s at first then a week later 2 more + a snail from same tank and store. (He has his heart set on 5 cory’s) Both times using a dose of api QuickStart and everything seemed fine. Then one day he comes in telling me that he has no nitrates and his ammonia has spiked (alarm levels but luckily all fish survived) . We did a quick water change and waited for the next day, the next test had slightly higher ammonia and none of the other two. He has been really busy with online school and has been dosing with Seachem stability with every other day 50% water changes. He doesn’t know what to do so I thought I’d here. So if anyone can help please do a worried 12 yo and a stumped older sister would really appreciate it.

 

[mattgirl]

Do you know if your little brother always uses a water conditioner with each water change? If at all possible I will recommend you get a bottle of Prime. Prime will detox the ammonia and should protect his fish from the ammonia he is seeing right now. It along with water changes should protect his little corys until the cycle catches up to the bio-load of his little guys/girls.

 

[LightBrownPillow]

Definitely be sure he's using a water conditioner which will remove chlorine from your tap water (assuming that's what you're using for changes). Seachem Prime is a common choice, though there are others.

Without conditioning the tap water, the chlorine which is in it will kill the nitrifying bacteria and cause a cycle crash, as well as harm the fish directly.

 

[Laichyee]

I am experiencing the same thing as well, i have added water conditioner but i am not too sure whats happening, i have slightly 5.0 nitrate. I did the cycle, done the waiting , make sure all ammonia and nitrite can be converted by 24 hours. and now this.

did i just tested my water at the wrong timing? its reading 0.25 -0.50 ppm

 

[Laichyee]

I am experiencing the same thing as well, i have added water conditioner but i am not too sure whats happening, i have slightly 5.0 nitrate. I did the cycle, done the waiting , make sure all ammonia and nitrite can be converted by 24 hours. and now this.

did i just tested my water at the wrong timing? its reading 0.25 -0.50 ppm

I just did a retest of it and now the ammonia level is fine. weird...

 

[ZoeNC1]

Do you know if your little brother always uses a water conditioner with each water change? If at all possible I will recommend you get a bottle of Prime. Prime will detox the ammonia and should protect his fish from the ammonia he is seeing right now. It along with water changes should protect his little corys until the cycle catches up to the bio-load of his little guys/girls.

we have prime and I’m pretty sure he was using it (more than usual for that exact reason) thanks for the advice we’ll try to implement it immediately.