I hate the cycle.

So in my tank I have fish, I have 2 gouramis, 8 Buenos Aires, 5 emerald Cory's, 1 pepper cory. They've been in there well over a week now. Day before Yesterday I did my routine check. Ammonia jumped out of nowhere. Somewhere around 6ppm, nitrites were .50ppm and my nitrates were 10ppm. Now bear in mind that just a few weeks ago my scores were 1ppm ammonia, dark purple on the nitrites and a blood red on the nitrates. Did a water change and everything wasn't zero but other than high nitrates it was better than it had been. So yesterday I did my test. 6ppm ammonia, .50 nitrites, 5 nitrates. I thought maybe the Java moss was helping but I dunno. So today I do my test. 6ppm ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, I have a basic understanding of the cycle but my God what have I done? ಠ_ಠ Only chem I use is prime.

So in my tank I have fish, I have 2 gouramis, 8 Buenos Aires, 5 emerald Cory's, 1 pepper cory. They've been in there well over a week now. Day before Yesterday I did my routine check. Ammonia jumped out of nowhere. Somewhere around 6ppm, nitrites were .50ppm and my nitrates were 10ppm. Now bear in mind that just a few weeks ago my scores were 1ppm ammonia, dark purple on the nitrites and a blood red on the nitrates. Did a water change and everything wasn't zero but other than high nitrates it was better than it had been. So yesterday I did my test. 6ppm ammonia, .50 nitrites, 5 nitrates. I thought maybe the Java moss was helping but I dunno. So today I do my test. 6ppm ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, I have a basic understanding of the cycle but my God what have I done? ಠ_ಠ Only chem I use is prime.

side note, my pH jumped as well. It went from a 6.7 to a 7.2. Bit the fish seem to be fine.

 

How often are you testing and changing water?

 

Did you add all those fish at the same time?

 

I test daily, last water change was 3 days ago if I'm not mistaken. I did 10 percent

 

If you have those high numbers you really should change way more water every day until they go down. Like at least 50% at a time. Your fish will not tolerate those high numbers for long and perish. 10% isnt lowering them much at all.

 

I test daily, last water change was 3 days ago if I'm not mistaken. I did 10 percent

In addition to maybe adding too many fish all at once as StarGirl asked, I’d suggest changing more water more often.

Test daily and let the test results determine when and how much water to change. Daily changes while a tank is cycling could be necessary.

 

If you have those high numbers you really should change way more water every day until they go down. Like at least 50% at a time. Your fish will not tolerate those high numbers for long and perish. 10% isnt lowering them much at all.

No, not at all. The Buenos Aires I did. But the rest have been over time. It was just strange is all. The gouramis were getting their color in very well then this. I'm just gonna do bigger water changes and watch. I just thought it was very random.

If you have those high numbers you really should change way more water every day until they go down. Like at least 50% at a time. Your fish will not tolerate those high numbers for long and perish. 10% isnt lowering them much at all.

So quick update. Turns out my filter is broken. I have it kind of running as best as it can but 2 of the propeller inside are broke. Not sure if that explains why my numbers went haywire. But definitely doesn't help I'm sure. So I have a new one on order and until then I did a 50 percent, added extra oxygen stones, and I dosed with prime. So far they seem ok. Hopefully my new pump comes in soon.

 

In addition to maybe adding too many fish all at once as StarGirl asked, I’d suggest changing more water more often.

Test daily and let the test results determine when and how much water to change. Daily changes while a tank is cycling could be necessary.

I did a 50 percent change thanks to you guys. I don't know exactly what happened, but I'm reading zeroes across the board now. Only thing I can think is the ammonia was just too high and as soon as I diluted it it was eaten up. Not sure but it looks like that kick started it and completed my cycle. Thank you so much. (◔‿◔)

 

Just keep a keen eye on it for awhile and if it rises do a water change.

 

Just keep a keen eye on it for awhile and if it rises do a water change.

Thank you so much. It has been such a frustrating journey.(◠‿◕)