Just Performed A Squeeze, What Next?

[garrym1983]

Sorry... I didn't go back to the OP, I thought I remembered. Well, the good news is that you may very well be cycled. I would just test in 6-12 hours since you already have fish in there. Just watch them and complete water changes as necessary. You should be fine, but the testing should be done just to be certain.

oh great, thanks very much for your help and advice, much appreciated.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I addressed your other question in the 93 day cycle thread. I hope it helps.

 

[garrym1983]

i did my test today 24 hours after the squeeze, registered ammonia 0.1ish (yellowy green) nitrite 0 and nitrate 10-20. Ive been advised to do daily 10% water changes.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

What purpose will a 10% change actually have? If you are going to do a water change at all, I recommend doing at least 20-30%. Didn't you also add mature media to this filter? Do a larger water change (30%) and check again in 12-24 hours. If the mature media is taking to its new home, you should see zero ammonia and nitrite.

 

[garrym1983]

Just another persons piece of advice to be honest. Yes the filter media is in there. I'll do a larger change and see the results. I use seachem prime which I'm told converts ammonia but still leaves it traceable to test kits, what should I conclude if indeed ammonia is registered???

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You would have to conclude that ammonia is present. Prime detoxifies ammonia, but it is still there. Prime was developed to detoxify the ammonia that is present when the chloramine bond is broken and you are left with chlorine and ammonia.

 

[garrym1983]

Right ok. So if I do this big wc and I get double zero and some nitrates what percentage of water change should I perform and how frequent

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If you get a double zero, you continue to test daily for a week, just to be sure. Then, you complete a weekly water change of 30%. I do a weekly 30% water change and a monthly change of 50-70%.

 

[garrym1983]

Right ok. Again, thanks for the advice.