Questions About Water Quality

[mandy82]

I did another water change and tested the water. It's now between a 2 and a 5. Looking good...we'll see how long it stays down after I get it down. After I get the nitrites in a safer range, should I proceed with the 2 a day water changes?

 

[tttnjfttt]

I would use your test kit to determine how often you need to do the water changes. I would do one more change tonight to get the nitrites closer to 2. Personally, if my tanks begin a mini cycle from cleaning the filter a little too well or from new additions, i let nature take its course up until I have readings between .5 and 1, then I begin water changes to keep the readings there. I gave you 2 as a goal because of how high they were earlier.

Getting some gravel, filter media, or even borrowing a decoration (make sure you keep it wet during transport) is a good idea to help jumpstart these bacteria. Also, if you can find Bio-Spira that has been refrigerated, this will instantly cycle your tank. Please note that other products that claim to cycle your tank are worthless. I have tryed cycle to end a mini cycle, and it still took a week to drop my nitrites from 1 back down to zero.

 

[mandy82]

I'll be doing the last change for tonight in about 15 minutes, then I'll check the levels tomorrow morning.

I'll call a pet shop in the area tomorrow to see if they can donate some gravel to the save the fish fund.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Mandy82

About those mollies and the salt issue...........

While mollies are naturally a brackish water fish, I understand that most of the ones you buy at an lfs are tank raised. Since they are popular fish, the breeders have been acclimating them to freshwater with a great deal of success. I suggest you ask the manager of the lfs, where you bought them, what your particular fish need.

If you don't need salt, it's best not to use it because there are many fish that cannot tolerate it, and by having it in your water, you are limiting the possibilities for your future additions.

 

[mandy82]

I checked the water this morning: the nitrites are down to 0.5!

Inchworm, thanks for the advise about saltwater conditions. I do want to add different fish to the aquarium, so I'll hold off on the salt. I bought the fish from petsmart and they said that mollies like salt, but they never said that it was necessary. I'm assuming they don't add it to their aquariums. I've done so many water changes that there's probably no salt left anyway, and I'll keep it that way.

 

[mandy82]

Ok, I got some gravel from a petshop's tank...is it safe to add it to my tank?

 

[platyfreek]

it should be ok as long as there was no disease in the tank you got it from. make sure there were no dead fish in the tank and what store did you get it from? sounds like your cycle is almost over. after your nitrites zero out nitrate will start building up but it takes months to get it down and its basically harmless up to 50 to 100 ppm except for very delicate fish. after your cycle is over its safe to add more fish.

 

[mandy82]

The shop was Pet Warehouse. I believe it may be a locally owned shop. There were no dead fish in the tank that the gravel came from; however, the other tanks, well uh, weren't well taken care of as they should be.

 

[mandy82]

I decided not to put the gravel in the tank. I didn't feel good about the way they take care of their tanks. I wouldn't have asked for some gravel to begin with if I had looked at the tanks first.

I didn't do a 25% water change yesterday even though the nitrites were still 0.5. I checked the water today at the nitrites are again still at 0.5. I did a water change, and I'll see where it goes. From what everyone is saying and what I've read, it does appear as if my tank is nearing the end of the cycle. Thanks to everyone for all the help.