29 Gallon Tank Setting Up A New 29 Gallon Tank

Nitrites should be 0 as well.

 

So dose 58 drops of ammonia and check 24 hours later?

What are your nitrates levels?

What are your nitrates levels?

When your running these test runs, when ammonia goes to 0 in 24 hrs, you must also test for nitrites. Nitrites will kill your fish too. So it's important to also know what that level is too and how efficient your cycle can bring them to 0 too.

 

What are your nitrates levels?

When your running these test runs, when ammonia goes to 0 in 24 hrs, you must also test for nitrites. Nitrites will kill your fish too. So it's important to also know what that level is too and how efficient your cycle can bring them to 0 too.

I doses at 6 but I can test now if need be

 

I doses at 6 but I can test now if need be

If you already dosed the ammonia tonight then it's too late.

 

If you already dosed the ammonia tonight then it's too late.

Right now my ammonia and nitrite is 2.0

Nitrites should be 0 as well.

Right now my ammonia and nitrite is 2.0

 

Right now my ammonia and nitrite is 2.0

Hopefully tomorrow both will be 0 but I wouldn't be surprised if nitrite processing is lagging a little behind ammonia.

 

Hopefully tomorrow both will be 0 but I wouldn't be surprised if nitrite processing is lagging a little behind ammonia.

There's nothing to do for that except time right?

 

There's nothing to do for that except time right?

That's right.

 

That's right.

Fingers crossed tomorrow yields good results bc I'm getting extremely aggravated lol

 

Tonights results.... Ammonia 1 nitrites 0

 

Tonights results.... Ammonia 1 nitrites 0

Interesting, I thought it more likely to be the reverse.

 

Interesting, I thought it more likely to be the reverse.

Because it should. She is not cycled yet.
You might want to reach out to Mattgirl she is a cycle guru.

 

Interesting, I thought it more likely to be the reverse.

Idk what to do anymore tbh... this has been awhile going..... I'm stuck. I can't even find similar situations on the internet at all lol

mattgirl help?

 

Idk what to do anymore tbh... this has been awhile going..... I'm stuck. I can't even find similar situations on the internet at all lol

mattgirl help?

We know what the issue was, the filter was on its lowest flow setting for weeks. The filter just needs to catch up. It's not far off.

 

We know what the issue was, the filter was on its lowest flow setting for weeks. The filter just needs to catch up. It's not far off.

I hope not. Seems like it converts 2 ammonia to 0 in 48 hours. Which isn't what we want, we want 2 in 24.. just not fair lol

 

I hope not. Seems like it converts 2 ammonia to 0 in 48 hours. Which isn't what we want, we want 2 in 24.. just not fair lol

I know we will get there.

 

I know we will get there.

Do I need to dose ammonia again?

 

Do I need to dose ammonia again?

When it goes to zero yes. I would until you get to 24 hours.

 

When it goes to zero yes. I would until you get to 24 hours.

Ok checking now

When it goes to zero yes. I would until you get to 24 hours.

It's 1.0 today.... I know it's kinda against the rules but I wonder if a w.c would even help at this point? It seems like I can't get ammonia to go from 2 or 4 to 0 in 24... I don't want to give up but at this point after over 70 days I'm at my breaking point.......

 

Ok checking now

It's 1.0 today.... I know it's kinda against the rules but I wonder if a w.c would even help at this point? It seems like I can't get ammonia to go from 2 or 4 to 0 in 24... I don't want to give up but at this point after over 70 days I'm at my breaking point.......

You do NOT have to go by the exact book. If you don't want to wait no more then you should figure out whether your current bioload comes close or exceeds 1 PPM Ammonia a day. I do not know how big your goldfishes are but you can get kind of an idea how much you produce by seeing how much nitrates you get a week on your existing tank or when you do your water changes.

2 PPM consumption gives people some buffer or who is going to have a fully stocked tank. Adapting is an important skill in the hobby so if you doubt your ability to adapt then perhaps it would be better to wait it out as there is less thinking involved.

Your tank is cycled. It's been cycled. You just don't have the nitrogen cycle speed that adheres to the 24 hour rule. Some people do also go by 48 hrs to zero out.

There are multiple ways to go about this.
You can wait it out.
You can add your fish friends depending in what their bioload is. You have Prime at your disposable. Say after 24 hours you end up with .25 .5 ammonia. Use prime to detoxify it. You can dilute it with WC.
You can cut the feedings in half.
You can do a combination of all these if you wanted to.

But if you waited 70 days, what's another few more? That would also depend how uncomfortable your think you fish friends are in their current tank.

 

You do NOT have to go by the exact book. If you don't want to wait no more then you should figure out whether your current bioload comes close or exceeds 1 PPM Ammonia a day. I do not know how big your goldfishes are but you can get kind of an idea how much you produce by seeing how much nitrates you get a week on your existing tank or when you do your water changes.

2 PPM consumption gives people some buffer or who is going to have a fully stocked tank. Adapting is an important skill in the hobby so if you doubt your ability to adapt then perhaps it would be better to wait it out as there is less thinking involved.

Your tank is cycled. It's been cycled. You just don't have the nitrogen cycle speed that adheres to the 24 hour rule. Some people do also go by 48 hrs to zero out.

There are multiple ways to go about this.
You can wait it out.
You can add your fish friends depending in what their bioload is. You have Prime at your disposable. Say after 24 hours you end up with .25 .5 ammonia. Use prime to detoxify it. You can dilute it with WC.
You can cut the feedings in half.
You can do a combination of all these if you wanted to.

But if you waited 70 days, what's another few more? That would also depend how uncomfortable your think you fish friends are in their current tank.

They aren't big at all. Here's a pic of them.. I've thought about switching then over this weekend but idk. I don't want nothing to happen to them I know it converts 2-4 in 48 just not 24..

 

They aren't big at all. Here's a pic of them.. I've thought about switching then over this weekend but idk. I don't want nothing to happen to them I know it converts 2-4 in 48 just not 24..

So I'm curious, how did you cycle the tank they are in right now?, which I believe in your 10 gallon tank.

 

So I'm curious, how did you cycle the tank they are in right now?, which I believe in your 10 gallon tank.

I've had that one for ever. I don't really remember. I know I had a friend give me these 2 since they were hardy and could handle it

 

I've had that one for ever. I don't really remember. I know I had a friend give me these 2 since they were hardy and could handle it

"Hardy and could handle it" are you talking about the fish with that statement?

 

Ok checking now

It's 1.0 today.... I know it's kinda against the rules but I wonder if a w.c would even help at this point? It seems like I can't get ammonia to go from 2 or 4 to 0 in 24... I don't want to give up but at this point after over 70 days I'm at my breaking point.......

Here's what I would do: Don't add any more ammonia. Next time ammonia level hits zero put fish in. Don't feed them for a few days. Monitor ammonia/nitrite levels daily and perform WC as necessary.

Real fish (and fish food) will complete the cycle better than adding ammonia.

 

I agree with KingOscar. We know you have nitrates just not enough and why, is obvious but complex to explain because you lack the full understanding of the Nitrogen Cycle.

So what KingOscar is saying, basically is a fishless cycle and fish in cycle. Putting your fish in when your water tests are down to zero in ammonia and nitrites, your fish will complete the cycle, by them eating and pooping. Add a little bit of extra Seachem Prime before you put them in. It will help protect them for a short time.

You will need to test daily to make sure there are NO ammonia or nitrite spikes. If there are, then do a water change and dose a little bit of extra Seachem Prime.

At least once a week after doing the above, also check your nitrates. You don't want them to get too high. If they do, do a water change.

At this point, it seems to be the easiest process.

Just a final note: You are using the filters manufactures filter media. It is not good to change it out and discard and put in a new one, ever. Adding another cartridge in the filter for a couple weeks or longer before throwing out the old one will help prevent "New tank syndrome".

Best Wishes.

 

Here's what I would do: Don't add any more ammonia. Next time ammonia level hits zero put fish in. Don't feed them for a few days. Monitor ammonia/nitrite levels daily and perform WC as necessary.

Real fish (and fish food) will complete the cycle better than adding ammonia.

I'll check my levels tonight and I can't move them till this weekend. So if it's high it has time to come down. I'll check my before I place them in.

"Hardy and could handle it" are you talking about the fish with that statement?

I'm not sure if my tank wad cycled or not. I did not have any test kits back then. It did eventually become cycled but I never once checked my waters just did weekly w.c.

 

I would be really surprised if you had any spike after adding the fish... here's why: Your tank is presently converting 2-4 ppm ammonia that is added all at once. It may be taking 48 hours but fish don't make a large ammonia dump like that in one instant. They continuously produce small amounts throughout the course of the day. Almost certainly your system is presently prepared to handle that. Plus, you'll be monitoring anyway.

 

I would be really surprised if you had any spike after adding the fish... here's why: Your tank is presently converting 2-4 ppm ammonia that is added all at once. It may be taking 48 hours but fish don't make a large ammonia dump like that in one instant. They continuously produce small amounts throughout the course of the day. Almost certainly your system is presently prepared to handle that. Plus, you'll be monitoring anyway.

So plan is putting them in on Friday.. then Saturday I'm going to try and find some Java ferna for it plus I'll also be adding the decor from the 10 to the 29 also instead of buying all new decor.

 

My results today... my ammonia did fall off my counter so would that be inaccurate?

 

Probably a couple already asked questions but is your test kit within expiration date? What does your other tank test at? What does your tap water test at? Can u take a little media from the other cycled tanks filter and add it to this filter that should greatly speed up the cycle.

 

Probably a couple already asked questions but is your test kit within expiration date? What does your other tank test at? What does your tap water test at? Can u take a little media from the other cycled tanks filter and add it to this filter that should greatly speed up the cycle.

I just bought this kit. It don't expire for a few more years.... I don't test my other tanks never have.... my tap is 0,0,0... already have with the media

 

Still looks green to me. Were these all taken at the same time? Additional shaking from taking a fall won't change the results.

 

My results today... my ammonia did fall off my counter so would that be inaccurate?

Was the lid on when it fell? And did you read the results in the time frame of 5 minutes? If both of these are yes then yes it's accurate. Looks like 1 ppm ammonia and 0 nitrites.

I just bought this kit. It don't expire for a few more years.... I don't test my other tanks never have.... my tap is 0,0,0... already have with the media

Regarding this thought process. I am going to send you a link to the article I wrote about how to properly read your API test results

For **** and giggles, will you please test your 10 gallon tank. Run them all please.

There are so many post, can you remind when you last dosed ammonia?

 

Still looks green to me. Were these all taken at the same time? Additional shaking from taking a fall won't change the results.

They were taken within the time frame yes

Was the lid on when it fell? And did you read the results in the time frame of 5 minutes? If both of these are yes then yes it's accurate. Looks like 1 ppm ammonia and 0 nitrites.

Regarding this thought process. I am going to send you a link to the article I wrote about how to properly read your API test results

For **** and giggles, will you please test your 10 gallon tank. Run them all please.

There are so many post, can you remind when you last dosed ammonia?

Yes the lid was on... I dosed I wanna say Sunday or Monday. I don't really remember tbh.. I'd have to look back at these messages

Was the lid on when it fell? And did you read the results in the time frame of 5 minutes? If both of these are yes then yes it's accurate. Looks like 1 ppm ammonia and 0 nitrites.

Regarding this thought process. I am going to send you a link to the article I wrote about how to properly read your API test results

For **** and giggles, will you please test your 10 gallon tank. Run them all please.

There are so many post, can you remind when you last dosed ammonia?

Sunday I dosed to 2.0 Saturday I dosed to 4 Sunday it was 0 then I dosed to 2 again

 

Ok, so last Saturday you dosed ammonia to 4 ppm? And by the next day, Sunday it was 0, then you dosed ammonia again to 2 ppm? Am I understanding correctly?
Then today's ammonia test is 1 ppm. Do I have right?

 

Ok, so last Saturday you dosed ammonia to 4 ppm? And by the next day, Sunday it was 0, then you dosed ammonia again to 2 ppm? Am I understanding correctly?
Then today's ammonia test is 1 ppm. Do I have right?

Pretty much yeah. Saturday ammonia 0. Dosed to 4 by accident. Sunday it was 0. Dosed to 2 and today it's 1. I was dosing to make sure it was converting 2 in 24 hours

 

That is odd because Saturday you accidentally dosed to 4 ppm and it went to zero by Saturday, the next day. Sunday you dosed to 2 ppm and in 3 days time you have only dropped down 1 ppm. Is this correct? Don't add anymore ammonia.

When reading the test tubes, don't put them right against the white background, pull away just a bit for light to penetrate through the test tube. Then compare that color.

Your nitrates look maybe from 5.0 to 10 ppm when I am trying to see the tubes with light penetrating through the tube.

 

That is odd because Saturday you accidentally dosed to 4 ppm and it went to zero by Saturday, the next day. Sunday you dosed to 2 ppm and in 3 days time you have only dropped down 1 ppm. Is this correct? Don't add anymore ammonia.

When reading the test tubes, don't put them right against the white background, pull away just a bit for light to penetrate through the test tube. Then compare that color.

Your nitrates look maybe from 5.0 to 10 ppm when I am trying to see the tubes with light penetrating through the tube.

I don't plan on adding anymore. I'll test again tonight and I'll pull it away from the bottle and send them to you! Idk it's definitely being weird. I'll probably just end up doing a 50% w.c. Friday when I change the 55 gallon and then switch my fish and dismantle the 10 gallon. Idk what else to do at this point.

That is odd because Saturday you accidentally dosed to 4 ppm and it went to zero by Saturday, the next day. Sunday you dosed to 2 ppm and in 3 days time you have only dropped down 1 ppm. Is this correct? Don't add anymore ammonia.

When reading the test tubes, don't put them right against the white background, pull away just a bit for light to penetrate through the test tube. Then compare that color.

Your nitrates look maybe from 5.0 to 10 ppm when I am trying to see the tubes with light penetrating through the tube.

My results just now. I also had both these lights on... 7 lights in Total

 

Yeah you got some ammonia but it's hard to tell the level. It looks like your nitrates could be 10. I would do the water change just be sure not to do more than 50% and if it were me, I would test all 3 again a few hours after before you transfer them, just to get a baseline. Have you heard if KH and GH? And did you ever test your tap water? I don't remember you posting results of your tap water. It's pretty important as it's needed as another baseline.