Oh For God's Sake

[scotslasszoe]

Well my fish in cycle completed last week. so i added a few days ago. a few more fish. Well i now have a ammonia spike again.

Should i remove the fish i added?

2 clown loachs and 2 upside down catfish

I am really gutted as it took 2 months for tank to cycle.

not sure what to do

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[merry78]

how high is your ammo? i would just keep up with water changes to keep ammo at 0.2 or below. If your fish show reddening of the gills, lethargy or any early stages of illness, get them out of the tank quick smart, but you might be able to get past the spike with them still in the tank if you're testing and water changing several times per day.

hope your tank settles soon, seems like you've had an epic cycling experience!

 

[Underwurlde]

I wouldn't worry too much. You have cycled your media which means that the previous level of bacterial growth would have matched the levels of ammonia present, i.e. the number of fish.

Now that you have added more, the bacterial levels have to play catch up for a couple of days before they can grow to match the new levels of ammonia, that is to say cater for the extra fish you've added.

Just keep an eye on the Ammonia / Nitrite levels and water change it out if it becomes excessive> I reckon in a few days time everything should be OK.

GL

Andy

 

[scotslasszoe]

how high is your ammo? i would just keep up with water changes to keep ammo at 0.2 or below. If your fish show reddening of the gills, lethargy or any early stages of illness, get them out of the tank quick smart, but you might be able to get past the spike with them still in the tank if you're testing and water changing several times per day.

hope your tank settles soon, seems like you've had an epic cycling experience!

Thanks for replying so quick

It is at 1.0 I will start doing my 3 water changes a day again and see how it goes. fish are all ok. Will i get a Nitrite spike again?

Zoe

 

[merry78]

Thanks for replying so quick

It is at 1.0 I will start doing my 3 water changes a day again and see how it goes. fish are all ok. Will i get a Nitrite spike again?

Zoe

welcome!
yeah, 1.0 is a bit scary! you probably will get a nitrite spike, as both types of bac need to increase their numbers. You should be ok in a few days, but you should really do 3 x 30% changes today to get your ammo way down.

 

[scotslasszoe]

Thanks Merry

Will do. Will update later with results.

Zoe

 

[scotslasszoe]

I wouldn't worry too much. You have cycled your media which means that the previous level of bacterial growth would have matched the levels of ammonia present, i.e. the number of fish.

Now that you have added more, the bacterial levels have to play catch up for a couple of days before they can grow to match the new levels of ammonia, that is to say cater for the extra fish you've added.

Just keep an eye on the Ammonia / Nitrite levels and water change it out if it becomes excessive> I reckon in a few days time everything should be OK.

GL

Andy

Sorry Andy missed your post.

Thanks for that. What a total shock when i done water test.

Zoe

 

[backtotropical]

Dont worry about it Zoe, the bacteria will catch up in no time once it is established, which yours is.

Maybe note for next time not to add so much at once now you know it causes a spike.

You will get a nitrite spike but might not even notice it (hopefully). It could go up and down again between tests. This is quite common when an established filter is playing a bit of catch up. Just keep that ammonia under control.

 

[scotslasszoe]

Dont worry about it Zoe, the bacteria will catch up in no time once it is established, which yours is.

Maybe note for next time not to add so much at once now you know it causes a spike.

You will get a nitrite spike but might not even notice it (hopefully). It could go up and down again between tests. This is quite common when an established filter is playing a bit of catch up. Just keep that ammonia under control.

Thanks BTT. hopwfully wont take to long to catch up.

Zoe

 

[omega59]

i wish you all the best of luck Zoe,, as i'am sure i'll be going through this once my water test kit arrives ps. i know you like tiger barbs i thought i'd share this photo.

 

[scotslasszoe]

Awww thanks Omega

Nice tiger, its a female isnt it?

Zoe

 

[GRJ]

Hi Scotchlasszoe. Your filter will catch up in a few days, you will get a little nitrite spike as the bacteria have to build to match the new bioload. Nothing to do except watch the stats and keep an eye on your fish. Water changes will help, but again, will slow down the ctach up slightely. GRJ

 

[scotslasszoe]

Hey GRJ. Thanks for reply

Have done a water change today. Will also cut down feeding as have been feeding a little more than i normally do.

Will see how it goes

Zoe

 

[GRJ]

Over feeding is easyily done, the little buggers will keep eting if you let them! My malawis are terrible for it! I have had to cut down with them again as they are getting like bloody cannibals!LOL! I thnk my point is, when you buy new fish, we tend to feed more as we think they need it, and they dont! I still only feed every ther day now and it seems to keep the water in check. The days i dont feed, they graze on the substrate leftover food and algea, thus, helping keep the tank clean! Slave labour!LOL! Hope it all goes well for you! GRJ

 

[scotslasszoe]

Over feeding is easyily done, the little buggers will keep eting if you let them! My malawis are terrible for it! I have had to cut down with them again as they are getting like bloody cannibals!LOL! I thnk my point is, when you buy new fish, we tend to feed more as we think they need it, and they dont! I still only feed every ther day now and it seems to keep the water in check. The days i dont feed, they graze on the substrate leftover food and algea, thus, helping keep the tank clean! Slave labour!LOL! Hope it all goes well for you! GRJ

Yeah i was feeding every other day, But once tank cycled i started feeding everyday. will cut back to every other day again

Thanks again GRJ

Zoe