Fanatic the Betta 10 Gallon Build

Nitrates don't usually spike, they just continue to accumulate.

 

Nitrates don't usually spike, they just continue to accumulate.

Alrighty. When they reach 40 - 60 does that mean I am cycled?

 

Alrighty. When they reach 40 - 60 does that mean I am cycled?

If you have 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and are at any amount of a positive nitrates you are cycled. Even if you are at 5ppm.. once you hit 40-60 you should be doing a water change to get it back down between 5-20.

 

It's showing that I have .50ppm Nitrites all of a sudden. What do I do now?

Edit: Scratch that, now they are 2ppm! What do I need to do?

 

Hmm, I'd wait it out a bit. You're seeing a nitrite spike which does not always happen with TSS but it certainly can. Each tank is different. What's your ammonia reading? Having 2ppm Nitrites present is not a problem, it is part of the cycling process. You only need to worry about nitrites if they get very high, 4ppm or over. I've read that levels over 4ppm can stall a cycle. In that case a water change would be needed to bring the nitrite back down to manageable levels.

Nitrite eating bacteria can also take a longer time to colonize your filter. Usually the nitrite phase lasts longer than the ammonia phase.

 

Hmm, I'd wait it out a bit. You're seeing a nitrite spike which does not always happen with TSS but it certainly can. Each tank is different. What's your ammonia reading? Having 2ppm Nitrites present is not a problem, it is part of the cycling process. You only need to worry about nitrites if they get very high, 4ppm or over. I've read that levels over 4ppm can stall a cycle. In that case a water change would be needed to bring the nitrite back down to manageable levels.

Nitrite eating bacteria can also take a longer time to colonize your filter. Usually the nitrite phase lasts longer than the ammonia phase.

Alright, I'll wait it out. My ammonia is 0ppm, it processed .50ppm in less than 10 hours. I'm hoping they'll go away then see a raise in Nitrates (well, higher than they are now) then I'll clean my tank out with a water change.

 

OK, so what's happened is that your filter has grown the first stage of bacteria, those that convert ammonia to nitrite. I'm sorry I'm not great at remembering scientific names. Now you just have to wait out that next stage where nitrIte converting bacteria will grow and get established. This second stage is what tried my patience, it took quite a bit longer than the first stage in my tank.

 

Do I continue to dose ammonia?

 

Not until Ammonia & Nitrites are very low, as in 0-.25ppm. If you were to dose ammonia now you would continue to accumulate nitrites. You don't need those levels any higher, you just need to wait for your filter to convert it. When nitrite and ammonia added together equal 0.5 or less, that's when you dose ammonia again. Then you see how long it takes for the ammonia & nitrate to convert to 0ppm. When you can convert both of those levels to zero in 24 hours you are cycled. Though nitrAtes will be too high to add your fish, so a water change will be needed to bring it down to acceptable levels first.

 

I'll continue to wait for the nitrites to lower. Then Ill add some more ammonia.

 

There you have it, my tank processed 2ppm of Nitrates overnight. Now they are 0, and normal again.

I'm going to add a regular dose of ammonia, then see if we're cycled.

 

Sure enough! The ammonia has gone down to 0ppm, in just eight hours! Parameters are as listed (just tested)

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20+

Edit: Is it alright to change the water to lower the nitrates, and refill it, then add my betta in a couple hours? What do you think AllieSten

 

Sounds like a plan. As long as you haven't added any ammonia in the 24 hours before you add the fish you should be just fine.

Congrats!

Edit: be sure to test your tank for the next few days though. You may see a spike in your Ammonia and nitrites. Just for a couple of days while your bacteria catches up to having a live fish in the tank. It is normal. Just dose Prime at full tank volume every other day until it goes back down to 0.

 

Sounds like a plan. As long as you haven't added any ammonia in the 24 hours before you add the fish you should be just fine.

Congrats!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to showing you the experiences from now on. I'll be putting my betta in tomorrow, after the tank has time to run after the cycle finished.

 

How much should I take out of the water volume now? 75%?

 

How much should I take out of the water volume now? 75%?

50% will be just fine. It will get you close to 10. Bettas aren't high waste producers so you won't overwhelm the tank when you add him. You should be good.

 

Alright, I'll do it now, and re-scape with white river rocks.

 

Finished with the water change last night, and did a re-scape with the white river rocks.

This morning, I acclimated him for a while, and released him into his new home! He's loving it, because there is way more space, and the water column is taller, wider, and deeper. I'll have to get some photos of the tank, and him!

 

He's super happy to be in a better home.

 

Beautiful tank and beautiful fish!

 

Beautiful tank and beautiful fish!

Thank you so much! I hoped that it would turn out like this! Do you like my hardscape?

Edit: AllieSten Should I test my ammonia again just like you said to do for a couple days? If so, when is a good time? My tank is also super good at converting ammonia to nitrates. It did nearly 1ppm in 8 hours.

 

Great looking tank! He looks so tiny in there lol

Be sure to test your parameters in a day or so. To be sure the bacteria is keeping up with him. It should be fine, but just double check.

 

Thanks again, and he does look tiny!

Alright, I'll be sure to test them.

 

Test results were taken both yesterday, and today. All signs were positive, and had good results.
None of the water had any red flags.

Ammonia: 0ppm (both days)
Nitrite: 0ppm

 

Update

Just a little update for today. Going to the LFS to pick up some white skirts for my main tank.
Getting three ghost shrimp for my tank just to test out how my betta does around them.
I'm also going to get a sponge, or floss to stuff into my filter to improve clarity, and output strength.

 

It's been so long since I've posted here!
Thought I'd share my tank 3 months later from being set up. It's already matured, and algae has began to grow.

I was lucky enough to get some pictures of my celestials in there too!
Planning on getting a RCS group in there soon. If not, I'm trying snails one more time, and being extra cautious with all the water requirements.
AllieSten AngelTheGypsy

 

Anders247
Currently housing the Peppered, and Panda Cory in my 10 gallon until I can return them.
I'm going to my LFS today, but I cannot return them yet. Going to the library beforehand, so it's not a good idea today.

They are in acclimation, and I hope to see them go bonkers on the sand!