New Tank Ammonia :(

[alanh1]

Hello,

I've recently set up a new 60l tank (juwel Korall). I ran it for 2 weeks with just water then added some plants, a used filter sponge from a fish pal, did a fishless cycle for just over 2 weeks with some pure ammonia and some added food until the bacteria got through 3ppm ammonia to 0 in 24 hours for a few days then did a big water change (70%ish) the day before and then added 7 neons, 3 guppies and a couple of crabs.

1 Guppied died straight off - dodgy fish, then the crabs a few days later.The other fish are fine (as they can be), checked the ammonia and it's back up to 1-2ppm and rising !!!! It's now been like this for a couple of weeks and the ammonia just isn't dropping.

I've been really careful to dechlorinate all the water and do 10% 2X weekly water changes. Any ideas what I have done wrong ? Do I just need to sweat this one out ?

 

[Little_Nemo]

You've probably gone into a mini cycle - did you run your tank for 7 days, and check to see if both ammonia and nitrite were sitting at 0PPM for those FULL 7 days?

 

[alanh1]

No it was probably 3-4 days. The Nitrite went up a bit and then back down but only a day or so before I put the fish in. bit too soon ?

 

[Warehouse]

No it was probably 3-4 days. The Nitrite went up a bit and then back down but only a day or so before I put the fish in. bit too soon ?

Definately too soon but what's done is done. Best thing you can do is daily water tests and water changes where necessary to keep the nitrites and nitrates down until the ammonia and nitrite is 0 for every test for a week.

 

[alanh1]

OK, I just thought the bacteria would have kicked in a bit by now. I'll keep changing the water as I can, I guess there's not much I can do about the ammonia but the water changes will keep the nitrites spike down a bit.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Little_Nemo]

I would of thought the water changes would try and keep the ammonia down too, warehouse ... Almost like when your in a fish-in cycle?! Or am I wrong?

 

[waterdrop]

You are indeed quite correct Little_Nemo! Any time a fishless cycle is missed, the result is that you're then in a Fish-In Cycle! That's what you're in, alanh1 (and by the way, Welcome to TFF!)

As Warehouse said, What's done is done and no need to fret about it. The goal in Fish-In cycling is to be a bit of a detective and figure out via trial and error the percentage and frequency of water changes (all water changes are gravel-clean water changes with conditioner and rough temp matching of course) that will keep both ammonia(NH3) and nitrite(NO2) at or below 0.25ppm (that's a very low amount) until you can be home again to test and possibly change water again. The tests need to be performed with a good liquid-reagent based test kit such as the API or Nutrafin varieties.

Most people start out testing morning and night at the 12-hours apart times but then adjust things as they get more feedback logged into their aquarium notebooks. A Fish-In Cycling situation can seem quite rough at first but usually it quickly gets a little easier. Make the water changes very large (75% etc.) at first and then they may be able to be smaller and easier but still keep the poisons close to zero.

You know you're reaching the end when you can go two whole days without changing any water and yet the ammonia and nitrite stay at zero ppm when testing (the so-called "double-zeros" we call them.) It can take a month, maybe more, but in your case your tank will probably already have a head start.

And don't doubt that it's important. The fish don't at first show symptoms, but above that 0.25ppm they can be starting to have gill damage from the ammonia and nerve damage from the nitrite(NO2) cutting off their oxygen transport.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[roadmaster]

Agree with waterdrop, Also would note, that most crabs need place to haul themselves out of the water and many will eat fishes they can catch,Ditto for crayfish with regards to eating fish. Would make cory's,shrimp,loaches,very nervous with crabs in the tank should these fish be considered.

 

[Joshwainwright]

If in doubt, water change!

The best advice ever.

 

[Warehouse]

I would of thought the water changes would try and keep the ammonia down too, warehouse ... Almost like when your in a fish-in cycle?! Or am I wrong?

Whoops, I forgot the ammonia, thanks LN .

 

[Little_Nemo]

I would of thought the water changes would try and keep the ammonia down too, warehouse ... Almost like when your in a fish-in cycle?! Or am I wrong?

Whoops, I forgot the ammonia, thanks LN .

Aww no probs I'm learning so I guess thats all that matters

 

[alanh1]

Thanks for all your help, I'm going to do as much as I can. I'm away for nearly a week with work this week so I've done a water change now and then I'll check when I get back. Hey ho we live and learn.