Unattended Half Cycled Tank?

So I was cycling my 5 gallon long betta tank, until I gave up because I thought it wasn't cycling. now about a month later it was still sitting there, so I tested for nitrites and it came up with 0.25 then I tested for nitrates and it came up with 0, and ammonia reading is at 4ppm. I had already drained around 65% of it and the filter hasn't been on for weeks. so not to sure if I should start over, but I'm open to any suggestions x

 

Is the betta still in the tank?...
You should never turn the filter off.
Ammonia at 4ppm is a highly toxic amount. You should do at least 3 back to back water changes asap with prime to get that ammonia down

 

Personally with ammonia that high I'd start over with a FULL water change (only if it's fishless).

 

It is fishless

 

What test kit are you using?

 

If there is no fish in the tank, the readings are most likely coming from the uneaten food/debris in the substrate. I'd do a 100% water change with a thorough gravel vac and rinse your media in dechlorinated tap water.

Could you also test your water source for pH, ammonia and nitrite? If you're willing to start over, are you planning on doing a fishless or fish-in cycle? We could help guide you.

 

I agree with el337. Again though, how are you testing your water? If you're using testing strips, that could also be why you're getting these readings. Testing strips are very inaccurate and become more and more inaccurate every time air hits them. A liquid test kit is the most reliable way to go, I highly recommend API Master Freshwater Test Kit.

 

I am using API Master Freshwater Test Kit. So I think I will start over and do all the things el337 said. I'll keep you updated

 

Great! Also if you have anymore questions about cycling just say so

 

I've done everything now how do I cycle the tank?

 

What are your current water parameters out of the tank and tap? Do you know if you're doing a fish less or fish-in cycle?

 

well I haven't started the cycle, and the tank hasn't got any water conditioner in it yet, (therefore there is no filter media in the tank at the moment) I still don't know which water conditioner to use, Prime, Stress Coat or Stress Zyme? (I don't actually know if Stress Zyme is a water conditioner or not?).

 

Do you have filter media you can add to the tank?

I would get Prime to use as a water conditioner. Stress Coat doesn't detoxify ammonia and nitrite like Prime does. Stress Zyme is an ineffective bacteria supplement. If you're going to use a bacteria supplement, I'd go with Tetra Safestart Plus or Seachem Stability.

After getting everything, are you planning on getting another betta to cycle with?

 

Yes, I already have filter media. And I don't really want to cycle with a fish, so do you know some other way I can cycle the tank, last time I used fish flakes but that obviously didn't go so well.

 

I'd definitely try to get pure ammonia to cycle with. Easier to dose and less mess. Not sure where you're located but Ace Hardware has their janitorial strength pure ammonia that many use to cycle with.

 

I live in Australia, so they don't sell pure ammonia here

 

Sounds like a fish in cycle would be the order of the day ... guppy sacrifice to the aquarium gods!

 

Since you live in Australia, you will not be able to purchase Tetra SafeStart. In you case, I see nothing wrong with doing a fish-in cycle, so long as your using Prime. A standard dose of Prime will detox up to 1ppm of ammonia and/or nitrite for 24 hours. So as long as you keep your ammonia and nitrite levels under 1ppm at all time, you fish will be safe from toxin exposure.

You can perform small daily partial water changes with enough Prime add to the new water to treat the entire tank. Actually, you may not even need to perform those water changes daily, depending on your ammonia/nitrite levels, you may just be able to add some Prime directly to the tank. CindiL has a formula she uses for when to just add Prime to the tank and when to perform a water change. Hopefully, she'll see this and share that formula with you.

Note, and while doing this, you can also use SeaChem Stability to help speed the cycling process up.

 

You wouldnt happen to have another tank that is cycled?

 

Hi, here is my formula this would work fine with a betta.

If ammonia + nitrites is less than 1.0 – dose prime for the full volume of water and re-check in 24 hours.
If ammonia + nitrites is 1.0 or greater – do a large water change, dose prime for the full volume of water and re-check in 24 hours.

 

I suggest put up with planted betta tank... the plants will suck up most of the ammonia!! Try anubias barterI and anacharis or hornworts .... and for fish-in cycle put 2 male guppies max....