New Levels In Water Test...what Does It Mean?

In my previous threads, we basically established that my nitrogen cycle was not happening and I had too much Ammonia (.5ppm) and no Nitrates or Nitrites. I needed to perform some water changes, add Prime, and add Stability. Since performing those steps for a few days, I did another water test and got the following...

pH: 6.8
Ammonia: 0 (it was a TINY bit green, so maybe trace amounts)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5ppm

So does this mean my Nitrogen Cycle is starting up? Should I do anything new or just continue with Prime & Stability? And should I stop with the water changes?

 

If your ammonia was 0.5, you didn’t have anywhere close to too much.

 

If your ammonia was 0.5, you didn’t have anywhere close to too much.

Ok, in any case...

I’m assuming this means my cycle has started...do I continue with Prime and Stability and water changes?

Should I add a live plant to help with the cycle? I have a moss ball if that matters.

 

Whats the source of ammonia? How long have you had the source of ammonia? Depending on when you started this, you might actually be done cycling. Did you ever see nitrites?

Edit: looked at your post, I think they read it as 5 ppm and not 0.5. I didn’t read through all of it because everyone was typing too much and arguing. Glad to help you here though. Plants are never a bad idea, however, unless you plant it insanely heavy it’s not going to have a noticeable effect.

 

Are you doing a dish in or fishless cycle. If fishless how are you adding ammonia

 

These numbers indicate you are making good progress with your cycle! Congratulations! You can add a plant if you want to, but it is unlikely to affect your cycle (for better or worse).

 

I have fish in the tank...aren’t they the source of ammonia? I haven’t specifically added anything as an “ammonia source”.

I’ve had my tank set up for about a month with fish in it at all times. They were dying off in the beginning, but I’ve almost always had fish in there. Other than that, I’ve just been adding Prime, Stability, and I’ve done some water changes.

I never saw nitrites, but there was a period of 4-5 days in between tests. Maybe the nitrites converted already?

If someone can paint a picture of where I’m at in terms of the nitrogen cycle and tell me what to do next, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

it sounds like you're cycled, mate... how long since you've seen ammonia?

cycled is when your tests *consistently* show:

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5 or more

I would give it up to 2 weeks testing daily or every other day. if ammonia & nitrate are stable, only test weekly before weekly water changes and if you add new fish or fish start hiding or behaving strangely.

now if you start feeding your fish more or add fish you're likely to see small spikes or blips in ammonia or nitrite as your bacteria grow to catch up with the increased food (ammonia) source. you keep that in check by adding more fish slowly and avoiding over feeding. you can also add stability& prime if you see blips up to 1ppm total ammon + nitrite combined. if it goes higher, you need water changes but I think you know that.

hope that helps

 

Looks like you’re cycled, and yes your fish are your ammonia source.

 

So bad news...

One of my Platys who survived from almost the very beginning died tonight. He was floating around and kind of coming in and out of being able to swim. Here’s a video if it helps at all:

I also took the video to show a new cloudiness that developed in my tank. You can literally see the clouds swirling around in the tank water.

The Platys are the only fish that got the white film that I had mentioned in my other post...not sure why.

I wanted to ask...is it possible that he died from over feeding? I accidentally dropped a bigger amount of flakes in earlier today. I scooped most of them out, but a good amount sank and I couldn’t get them.

The reason I’m also suspecting this is because my other two fish had VERY large strings of waste hanging off of them (picture included).

I’ve been adding a capful of Prime and Stability every day. I also did 3 scoops of Kanaplex (as indicated for a tank around 15 gallons) today.

Any idea what could have killed him? Maybe just a natural death? Maybe the cloudiness? I tested my water right after removing my dead Platy just to see...

pH: around 6.8 (picture included...do you think it looks lower than 6.8?)
Ammonia: .25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm

 

If it matters, I’m using Tetra Flakes Plus and once or twice a week I’ll feed them freeze dried blood worms.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.