Advise Guys

[angel308]

Hi again guys,

Just after some advice. I've got my 125l tank up and running and am (I think) in the middle of cycling it. I understand the ammonia feeds with bacteria that creates Nitrite and that in turn feeds the bacteria that turn it to nitrate which is them removed by the water changes (very basic I know but mostly the gist). So my question is this, my ammonia level is between 5-10ppl, my nitrite has now dropped to 0 and my nitrate has increased to 10ppl, ph is 7.2. How long does it take now I have signs of nitrate (which I didn't until yesterday) before the ammonia starts to drop to a safe level?

I have lost all bar one of my neon tetra's as the LFS did not explain the full cycle correctly to me. I've now done my research and will not be trusting advise given to me without back up anymore. I have taken advise from a new LFS which seems to be backed up by research that I've done, that I should be doing daily 10-20% water changes to help reduce the ammonia levels, so I am doing this, also mot feeding the other fish for a few days. However since doing this (Sat) I haven't seen a decrease in ammonia yet, although as stated I have seen an increase in Nitrate.

Any advise guys. Ta x

 

[Axyadbad]

Hi again guys,

Just after some advice. I've got my 125l tank up and running and am (I think) in the middle of cycling it. I understand the ammonia feeds with bacteria that creates Nitrite and that in turn feeds the bacteria that turn it to nitrate which is them removed by the water changes (very basic I know but mostly the gist). So my question is this, my ammonia level is between 5-10ppl, my nitrite has now dropped to 0 and my nitrate has increased to 10ppl, ph is 7.2. How long does it take now I have signs of nitrate (which I didn't until yesterday) before the ammonia starts to drop to a safe level?

I have lost all bar one of my neon tetra's as the LFS did not explain the full cycle correctly to me. I've now done my research and will not be trusting advise given to me without back up anymore. I have taken advise from a new LFS which seems to be backed up by research that I've done, that I should be doing daily 10-20% water changes to help reduce the ammonia levels, so I am doing this, also mot feeding the other fish for a few days. However since doing this (Sat) I haven't seen a decrease in ammonia yet, although as stated I have seen an increase in Nitrate.

Any advise guys. Ta x

I'm totally new to this but I've read this and its totally explained, but to me it sounds like you're nearing the end of your cycle. Read this though: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[Salam]

You have two options.

First is the easier one - return the remaining neon tetra and do a fishless cycle which is the safest thing to do for someone new to the hobby. Axy has linked to the resource centre, read up on there on how it works (basically adding a source of ammonia for a few weeks until there is enough bacteria in your filter to handle the bioload of fish).

The second option is keeping the tetra and doing a fish in cycle as you are at the moment. This will involve daily VERY LARGE water changes, about 90% of the water has to be changed. It is more work and more stressful, but if you want to keep your fish, that's the only way to save him. It's all a bit about maths. If you have 1ppm of ammonia and change 50% of the water, you still have 0.5ppm of ammonia left afterwards. This is why you need to take out as much as possible and sometimes even have to do a few consecutive changes in order to bring the levels down to 0.

As you really only have one fish left I strongly recommend you return him and do a fishless cycle instead to save you heartache and hassle. Much easier going down that route. And once you are fully cycled in a few weeks time you can safely add fish without having to worry about toxins. Whatever you decide to do, for now the best is do a huge water change just to bring the levels down before the last tetra also dies on you.