Cycling with a Cichlid, Water Change and Help

[valpofan98]

I need some help in understanding some water quality concerns...My tank is cycling right now.

At http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologic...ogencycle_3.htm, the article talks about doing water changes during cycling when Ammonia is high and nitrites are high as a way of helping the fish, even if it prolongs the cycle. I have read somewhere that when your nitrates are high, it is also a good time to do a water change.

Here are my current readings: Nitrate: 60 ppm, Nitrite 2 ppm, Hardness 250 ppm, Buffer 80 ppm, pH 8.1 and ammonia is at 3.8-.5. I have one african chiclid in a 20 gallon tank.

Last night, my nitrates were at 100 ppm so I did a water change and they got knocked down to 60 ppm. One question I have is, I have heard that when nitrates go above 50 ppm, then a water change is suggested. Is that also true when cycling a tank?

Also, do my readings make sense in terms of cycling? My tank has been running for two years but I started over with 25% of the original water/new filter a week ago so I am assuming it has too cycle.

I added some "Prime" in last night because of the high readings and added "Cycle" in today because someone suggested that since one fish may not be enough to get the process going. This fish has lived in this tank for 4 years and through my many ups and downs of fish owernship has gotten through it all. Also, this afternoon I added some "stress coat" and "aquarium salt" to help with the stress.

I think the main question that is bothering me is...what levels are too high for nitrates, nitrites and ammonia when the tank is cycling so I know when to do a water change so I am not harming the cycling. Also, what would be very helpful is for you to tell me if my numbers make sense in terms of cycling...Thanks so much...don't want to hurt the fish!

Thanks,
Kirsten

 

[Zippy]

Cichlids are not suitable for cycling tanks with i'm afraid, they are just not hardy enough to cope, african cichlids are also a different kettle of fish too, they require a larger tank, do best in group with other african cichlids, require hardwater, with low nitrates.

Doing a water change now will not harm, since there is actually very little bacteria in the water, most is contained in the filter media and substrate. If you are going to continue to cycle with the african cichlid, then regular water changes will help relieve some of the stress the cycling will be doing to him.

Changing 20% regular should be good practise. But when levels get to high, daily testing will help determin, i would suggest 50% water changes to help bring the levels down.

What you should be aiming for is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and a nitrate reading of 25ppm or less.

HTH