I Got My Test Kit, I'm 2 Weeks Into A "fish In Cycle" Advi

[blur411]

I have a 55 gallon tank, I started the tank up on April 11th, it has 4 guppies and 1 pleco. Filter, air stone, and heater. the temp is about 79-80 degrees F. I just got my test kit in the mail today (took way longer than I expected). I did a 50% water change last night and here are my readings

Ph 7.4
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 2.0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm

When should I test again?
Should I do another water change today?
Any advice...am I on the right track...wrong track?

Thanks!

 

[Fish4]

Hi,Thought i'd start the ball roling. You need to do another water change/changes to lower the 2.0ppm nitrite reading. You should aim to keep it below 0.25ppm. I think others will advise 90% water changes to lower the nitrite quickly. I would do three 50% water changes 1n the next 24 hours and then 20-30% daily to keep the readings acceptable. I always did daily testing and water changes until the tank had cycled. Once cycled, weekly testing and water changes is ok.
You look to be on the right track, but i'm new here too, the experts will on here will always give you good advice.

 

[phoenixgsd]

Fish in cycles do require daily testing and water changes every day, its alot of work but it has to be done to keep your fish alive

 

[blur411]

I havent been doing them daily. It's just not possible when I work 13 hour shifts 3-4 days a week but on days I'm off I've been doing larger ones. I just hope that with what I'm able to do, I can at least finish this cycle.

thanks!

 

[blur411]

I just did a 80% water change and re-tested and my Nitrites are still 2.0 after that, I checked the tap water and there is 0 in that. Also, my Ph is 8.2, and tested the tap water and it read 8.2 too. Is this bad?

 

[fluttermoth]

Whilst a pH of 8.3 is quite high, it's not worth trying to change it. Most fish are quite adaptable with regards to pH, but you should avoid keeping very soft water fish, like tetras. Look at rainbows and some of the barbs instead.

I'm afraid more large water changes are the only real remedy for high nitrite; I know it's difficult when you're working long hours, but it will cause serious health problems, or even death, for the fish if you don't get it down.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

You could remove the fish into a bucket and do a 100% water change - then add the fish back in but don't add the water from the bucket they were in back in. If you could get it back down to 0 then you may have more of a chance of keeping it there?

 

[Aqua Tom]

Hi,Thought i'd start the ball roling. You need to do another water change/changes to lower the 2.0ppm nitrite reading. You should aim to keep it below 0.25ppm. I think others will advise 90% water changes to lower the nitrite quickly. I would do three 50% water changes 1n the next 24 hours and then 20-30% daily to keep the readings acceptable. I always did daily testing and water changes until the tank had cycled. Once cycled, weekly testing and water changes is ok.
You look to be on the right track, but i'm new here too, the experts will on here will always give you good advice.

One massive change is much better than 3 smaller ones. Lets assume you have an nitrite reading of 2ppm. You do a 50% water change & that reading changes to 1ppm (still to high) then change 30% of that water as you suggest, this brings it down to 0.7ppm (still to high), then another 30% of that leaves you with 0.49ppm (still to high), then 30% of that leaves you with 0.15 ppm which is now still high but reasonable. The problem is that it has taken you 4 water changes to bring it down to that level & the nitrite is still rising between water changes so it may even take longer.

The reason we advocate large water changes is this. Nitrire reading 1ppm, do a 90% water change brings that down to 0.1ppm, there you go, in that one change you are still lower than the 4 changes. Do another 90% water change & you are left with 0.01ppm & have a totaly safe tank.



Tom

 

[blur411]

I bought a new substrate today that claims "instant cycling", not the reason I bought it, I bought it because it's supposably ideal for adding plants later. So I am going to try and empty the tank tonight completely, add that substrate, fix the T bar I've been wanting to fix...and HOPEFULLY have a better odds of getting this tank rolling!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I've got no idea about that stuff but good luck!

 

[Xraymark]

Well, its probably a good idea to add plants to the tank. They will use up some of the ammonia the fish are producing and may ease your water changes.

If enough plants are added they will in essence become the filter. Another idea is to remove the fish and do a fishless cycle. Much easier and usually no water changes. See how to in the pinned beginners section. You have only 4 fish. See if the LFS will take them back.

 

[Ruskull]

I just thought I'd throw this out there but maybe you could ask your fish store for some used media? That could jumpstart the whole process and you could keep your guppies, maybe even the Pleco. How big is this Plec anyway?

Either way doing big water changes comes with the territory with fish-in cycling.

Well, its probably a good idea to add plants to the tank. They will use up some of the ammonia the fish are producing and may ease your water changes.

If enough plants are added they will in essence become the filter. Another idea is to remove the fish and do a fishless cycle. Much easier and usually no water changes. See how to in the pinned beginners section. You have only 4 fish. See if the LFS will take them back.

Plants would def. help too!

 

[blur411]

I really don't want to return the fish, as they were a gift. I will ask about the media, I have all the water out...the fish are hanging out in a bucket with their heater and filter. The appoxy is drying for the T-bar, and I will add the new substrate soon. I got a pump today to do the water changes quicker, which should help too!

 

[Ruskull]

Just remember it'll be worth it


Try really hard to get that used media, maybe you have a friend with a tank? I've always found that adding used media from a larger tank then the one I'm trying to spike works the best, sometimes instantly.

 

[blur411]

All of my friends are 3000 miles away, I'm new to the area. Do I ask the LFS for just a used filter...and just sit it in my tank?