Cycling

[robbrouse]

Hello, before I found this site and all the information on Fishless cycleing, I started a fish cycle. I have a 20 Gallon tank with a Whisper OTB filter as well as an underground filter. I added 2 gold barbs and 2 Zebra Danios. My Ammonia has been jumping around between .75 and 1.5. I have been doing 10 to 15% water changes every 2 days. My Nitrite has been between 0.25 and .50 for the last 8 days. if everything running fine or is there reason to worry. Fish have been in the tank 3 weeks tomorow.

Question #2. After finding out about the fishless cycle and searching high and low for pure ammonia I started a fishless cycle on a 10 gallon tank. I messed up and added WAY to much amonia and the water clouded up real fast. I've done 3 40% water changer and the amonia levels are still off the chart. Sould I start over or just keep doing water changes. I want to cycle a 55 gallon tank next, but want to wat to get the two I have under control first. Any information would be great.

Robb

 

[kent]

if everything is running fine then u have nothing to worry and just monitor on your ammonia levels and other water parameters.
and for the 2nd question, I dont know how much is "way too much" for you but if I were you I would start from scratch since it's 10 gallon... not a lot of hustle.

 

[tstenback]

to answer the first question, it looks like everything is fine. When you cycle with fish the readings sometimes look strange as you are doing lots of water changes and that sometimes slow things down a bit as compared to fishless cycling.

If you think that way too much is going to fool things up for you then dump the lot and start fresh. It wont take long and it will then give you a definite starting point. Use a dropper or pipette to add the ammonia and after adding say 10 drops wait for about 15-3- mins and then test the ammonia level. this will give you a fairly accurate reading and then you will have an exact number of drops that you add daily. HTH

 

[robbrouse]

Thanks. My Ammonia is coming down and the Nitriate is going up, so I'm assuming I'm on the right track.

I do have another question if anyone knows the answer. I can get Artesian Water that has nothing in it as far as the test kits will show other than maybe a slightly higher Ph valule (It tests at 7.2). I have to drive 20 miles and hall this water back. My tap water has a PH value of about 7.4 - 7.6. Should I take the drive or do tyou think the Ph level of my tap water would be ok to use?

 

[robbrouse]

The Nitrite has hit 3.0 and is now falling. I've been doing 10 - 15% water changes dayly to help with the fish stress. The Ammoniais almost 0. If the Nitrate keeps coming down I should have a fully cycled tank with in a few days.

I will add the next round (2 or 3) fish then keep an eye on her to make sure all is well.

Ph has been at 7.4 for a while now. Anyhow just reporting in.

Robb

PS: My 10 gallon Fishless Cycle tank had to be started over. I'm taking it much slower this time. First time stared off with a FULL OZ of Amonnia, this time added 4 MIL.

 

[tstenback]

Once the tank cycles wait a couple of weeks before adding any more fish. This will give the tank time to stabilize so that when you add the new fish there will be less stress to the current tank mates. They have just gone through a cycle and should have a rest before the possibility of another mini cycle occurs. HTH