Cycling New Tank - Readings Advice Please

[soybean]

Hello

Firstly I'm not a newbie as such, I have had a few tanks over the years and have cycled tanks before, I'd just like a little advice on my latest cycle.

I set up a Rio 180 and transferred half of the filter media over from my other filter, planted the tank, filled it up etc. My plan was to let it run for about a week and keep checking the water readings (I have a Nutrafin drop kit) before starting to transfer the fish over in batches. This is how I've done other tanks with no problems.

However, a few days after setting it up I had to go in to hospital for surgery suddenly and the tank was left for 5 days without any attention. I've been checking the readings since coming out and every day they are Ammonia 0, with Nitrite and Nitrate off the chart. There isn't a purple dark enough for the colour they turn! The water is a little cloudy but I don't see any algae anywhere. Some of the plants seem to be suffering, some of the others seem to be thriving. I'm not sure what's happening here.

I presume a water change is now needed at least. Should I add some ammonia? Leave it to it? I would like to get this sorted asap so I can start relaxing and recuperating by watching my fish in their nice new home, not stressing over water readings and admiring a tank of plants!

Cheers.

 

[KittyKat]

Are you adding a source of ammonia? If not, the bacteria have just been dying off slowly and it sounds like you seeded and silent cycled your other tanks.

 

[soybean]

Are you adding a source of ammonia? If not, the bacteria have just been dying off slowly and it sounds like you seeded and silent cycled your other tanks.

I wasn't adding ammonia because I added established media from the other cycled tank. The fish would've been in by now had I not had to leave it for 5 days.

 

[soybean]

To be honest I'm thinking of sticking my one platy in there, as he's probably the hardiest fish I have, doing daily water changes and hoping for the best.

 

[KittyKat]

Well, some bacteria are bound to still be there.. they'll take a few fish, just be gentle with the stocking and test often.

 

[soybean]

I'll pop him in tomorrow and see what happens. Not happy about the high level of nitrite in there though - will I need to do daily water changes, what % of water?

 

[KittyKat]

Sorry, missed the nitrite bit, don't put a fish in if it's over 0.25 ppm! Do a down to the gravel water change, then test and if ammonia and nitrite come out at 0 ppm, then you could try adding a fish.. but seriously, try adding some ammonia instead till that goes down.

 

[soybean]

I did probably an 80% water change and the nitrite is still off the chart high. Should I just leave it for now? I do have a lot of plants in there already, cuttings and rooted, will they help?

 

[KittyKat]

Plants will help once the readings are low, but not before. Do a down to the gravel water change and see if that helps?

 

[soybean]

Done another water change right down to the gravel (my stitches are objecting a bit) but the readings are still incredibly high for both nitrite and nitrate. Tested my tap water and the levels are virtually 0.

If I add ammonia won't this just be absorbed by all the plants?

Wondering if simply leaving the tank alone for another week or so might sort it out. Wishful thinking?

 

[KittyKat]

Wistful thinking.. don't over strain yourself! Can you get anyone to help? Some ammonia will be absorbed by plants, but some will also make it into the filter.