Help - Fish In Broken Cycle

[Miss Wiggle]

yup, but remember every time you water change you're cleaning up the environment for them, even if it's only temporary it'll be helping.... trust me!

 

[Fryfly]

Thanks for the reassurance - I'm going to do a massive change, i'm thinking 80% on saturday and get my riccia onto the cocconut. Also I was planning on doing a 30% gravel vac as I don't want my plec and cories to get poisoned. Is this a good Idea.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks for the reassurance - I'm going to do a massive change, i'm thinking 80% on saturday and get my riccia onto the cocconut. Also I was planning on doing a 30% gravel vac as I don't want my plec and cories to get poisoned. Is this a good Idea.

yes, v little bacteria lives in the gravel, shouldn't affect anything to do a gravel vac.

 

[Fryfly]

I did an 80% water change on Sunday cleaned the tank and rinsed the filter media in tank water. I took 3 guppies back to the LFS cause they kept having babies and the catfish couldn't keep up Since Sunday my levels of both Nitrite and ammonia are not even half the first measured colour on my test kit. Is this a good sign as both are below 0.25 and Ammonia is below 0.1. The latest readings were taken this morning so that's a good 48 hours without them rising.
Do I keep changing water? Or do I wait and see if the bacteria breaks down what remains in the water?

Ps - My fish love brine shrimp, It's going to be their new weekly treat. I couldn't believe the feeding response invoked in them. Also they most definitly recognise me - or am I dreaming. They don't care much for others at the glass but when I stick my face by it they all come to the front of the glass as if knowing I'm going to feed them. They get cucumber, algae wafers, bloodworm, flake and now brine shrimp. My plec only eats the cucumber and algae wafers but his belly is nice and round so I assume he's getting enough. Fish are all showing vivid colours and no signs of stress. Think I'm getting there.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I did an 80% water change on Sunday cleaned the tank and rinsed the filter media in tank water. I took 3 guppies back to the LFS cause they kept having babies and the catfish couldn't keep up Since Sunday my levels of both Nitrite and ammonia are not even half the first measured colour on my test kit. Is this a good sign as both are below 0.25 and Ammonia is below 0.1. The latest readings were taken this morning so that's a good 48 hours without them rising.
Do I keep changing water? Or do I wait and see if the bacteria breaks down what remains in the water?

Ps - My fish love brine shrimp, It's going to be their new weekly treat. I couldn't believe the feeding response invoked in them. Also they most definitly recognise me - or am I dreaming. They don't care much for others at the glass but when I stick my face by it they all come to the front of the glass as if knowing I'm going to feed them. They get cucumber, algae wafers, bloodworm, flake and now brine shrimp. My plec only eats the cucumber and algae wafers but his belly is nice and round so I assume he's getting enough. Fish are all showing vivid colours and no signs of stress. Think I'm getting there.

definatley sounds like you're getting there

for me i'd stick with the water changes until you're certain levels are at 0. know it's a ball ache but it won't be long now.

yeah most fishies love meaty treats!

 

[Fryfly]

Thanks for all your help. My tank is cycled now and everyone seems happy.
Most appreciated

 

[Miss Wiggle]

glad to hear it