Nitrite And Nitrate!

[mike198469]

No, i didnt use a gravel vac.

The situation has now been changed. I no longer have the issue because i gave the fish to mate. (He knows they are ill)

Drained the tank. Cleaned everything. Even the filter. With TAP water. This was because i didnt want to risk contaminating the Fry tank with this filter media if i got them mixed up.

Anyways, i have now started the 60L off on its cycle again.

I have just been to my LFS and he is a very knowledgable bloke and told me that fishless cycling works well on Marine and Tropical tanks alike. But he wouldnt bother with it for a Tropical tank.

He GAVE me some Neon's to put into my 125L and start off with a fishy cycle. I know some people may not like it. But there we go.

He also had something there, a chemical (cant recall name) in a yellow bottle (helpful i know) that claims to be able to fully cycle a tank in 24hours. Complete cycle in 24hours for only £4.95.

I might have to give it a go in my 60L. Either that or i will do a fishless cycle in there. I want to try the two different types so i can decide what one works best for me.

So please, people who think i am doing it wrong with the fishy cycle. Don't have a go at me. Im trying it their way, and im trying it your way.

(Also, im getting a mini master test kit for £25 next week)

And one more thing. My Fry tank has a 0.1 reading of NitrIte in the tank. (Messy things).

I have put some Cycle in there to get some more good bacteria. (Just using the last of the bottle not buying any more) After its gone, i was thinking, when the level rises again should i just use water changes?

Its the first time in like 5weeks its even registered a nitrIte reading. NitrAte is 0 and Ammonia is 1ppm? (I know i need to reduce it, but i dont think its that bad considering its been 5weeks without any problems.) The fish are growing well also.

Mike

 

[-germ-]

 

[mike198469]

Thats not very helpful.

 

[-germ-]

No i agree, not helpful at all, i'll leave you to it.
Peas.

 

[mike198469]

Im kind of confused with your reply to be honest. Is that because i have decided to cycle with fish?

Before the chemical strains of amonia, and the test kits, back in the good old days EVERYONE cycled with fish!

Mike

 

[-germ-]

Okay, no worries, i'll leave you to it.
As you may have noticed in the post i just edited i HAVE cycled 3 tanks fish in, but IMHO you are going about it the WRONG WAY...
Why do you do the whole caps lock shouty thing anyway? Its not helpful to anyone....

 

[mike198469]

Firstly, i cannot see any post in this thread that you have edited, maybe its somewhere else.

Secondly, why am i going about it the wrong way?

Mike

 

[rdd1952]

I have just been to my LFS and he is a very knowledgable bloke and told me that fishless cycling works well on Marine and Tropical tanks alike. But he wouldnt bother with it for a Tropical tank.

He GAVE me some Neon's to put into my 125L and start off with a fishy cycle. I know some people may not like it. But there we go.

I know you don't want to do a fishless cycle and that's fine but you really should not be trusting this person at the LFS. I know you said he gave you neons to cycle the tank but of all the fish that can be used for a fish cycle, neons are probably one of the worst. They are very delicate and really need a mature tank. They do not do well at all in a tank with any ammonia or nitrite. Hopefully, they will make it through it but it is doubtful. Danios and red-eye tetras are very hardy and the best fish for cycling a tropical tank.

He also had something there, a chemical (cant recall name) in a yellow bottle (helpful i know) that claims to be able to fully cycle a tank in 24hours. Complete cycle in 24hours for only £4.95.

I don't have a clue what product you are talking about in a yellow bottle (was it too hard to look at the name on the label and put it in the post) but it's doubtful that it's going to do anything unless it has been kept refrigerated 100% of the time. Bacteria can not live it bottles at the temperatures they are subjected to in trucks and warehouses (they will see temps in the 120 to 150 range). Bactinettes in the UK and Bio Spira in the US are the only 2 products that anyone can seem to show proof that they work.

And one more thing. My Fry tank has a 0.1 reading of NitrIte in the tank. (Messy things).

I have put some Cycle in there to get some more good bacteria. (Just using the last of the bottle not buying any more) After its gone, i was thinking, when the level rises again should i just use water changes?

Its the first time in like 5weeks its even registered a nitrIte reading. NitrAte is 0 and Ammonia is 1ppm? (I know i need to reduce it, but i dont think its that bad considering its been 5weeks without any problems.) The fish are growing well also.

Mike

As I mentioned before, I seriously doubt that the Cycle is going to do anything to aid in cycling your tank. It most likely isn't going to hurt either. It's pretty much a nothing product. I'm a little confused when you say that this is the first time you have registered a nitrite reading in 5 weeks when you said this in your original post:

"Its been set up for about 5weeks now and a few days ago i noticed one of my guppies had ICK so i went to get some Med's for her. And picked up a Nitrite test kit just out of interest. (Never seen one before)."

If you just got the nitrite kit, how do you know there wasn't any present before? It could have been there and even been higher. Obviously, you have the option to leave the levels as they are and not take anyone's advice but if you have ammonia and nitrite and no nitrate, you tank is definitely not cycled and if it doesn't kill your fish it will at least seriously shorten their life span.

 

[mike198469]

The yellow bottle was in the fridge, cannot recall the name.

I can see why you are confused, but i have written it wrong. I was talking about two different tanks.

The Fry tank was checked by a mate of mine, did three tests on it.

Thats why i didnt see the test until i went to get some stuff for my 60L tank.

If that makes sense.