What test kit?

[rdd1952]

I wish I'd known all this before getting my fish. The ammonia spiked last week, resulting in the untimely death of a harlequin and this week the nitrites are going mental. Am now using ammolock, a nitrite/nitrate reducer, cycle and aquasafe, along with 15-20% daily water changes. I desperately don't want to kill these poor creatures and was niave enough to trust the advice of my lfs.
Hugs,
P.

The problem with using ammo-lock (and other detoxifying products), at least as I understand what it does, is that it locks up the ammonia and turns it into a non toxic form. That will prevent (or severly slow) your tank from cycling and merely postpone the problem. Some of those products also unlock the toxins after a certain period of time which could cause an enormous spike. I would increase the water changes to 25 to 30 percent per day (possibly even twice per day) to keep the toxins down. You may even want to take some of the fish back.

 

[Jo and Gra]

heres my tank......

just started it hence the sparse look........and bubbles

its a little 21 gallon 96 litre tank......

so how long by adding a pinch of food daily for a fishless cycle should it take??

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

The trouble with taking the fish back, which I did consider, is they would put them in their 'community tank' until I could take them home again. I've seen their community tank. My little ones wouldn't stand a chance.
Today is the first time I've used the ammolock and the nitrite/nitrate liquid. Would it be worth me doing two daily changes at 15-20% and only use the minimal amount of these (say in one of the 2 daily changes or once every other day) while the nitrites are so high and then stop using (once they drop to within far less toxic zones) but keeping the water changes going until it all settles down?
Hope that made sense.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Jo and Gra]

 

[rdd1952]

J & G, I've never used fish food to cycle so I don't know about the time on it. I'm sure it will be a little longer simply because the fish food has to have time to decay and create ammonia whereas with pure ammonia, you have ammonia in the tank immediately. Hopefully, someone else can shed some light on that.

Miss DD, I would use the chemicals as an absolute last resort and just try to control the toxins with daily water changes.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

If it's any help mine is still going through it's cycle (it's just under two weeks). But mine already has live plants and fish (due to my lfs telling it would be safe to do so.) Needless to say it's a major struggle with daily water changes and trying to avoid major ammonia/nitrite spike etc. I've been fortunate enough not to lose any fish, apart from one lil harlequin, poor thing.
The bigger tank I plan on in the future will not suffer this. I shall a darn sight more careful!
I think it also depends on the tank size and filter used. But being no expert I am sure others will be able to help more.
On a note from my earlier post I have managed to stabilise the nitrite this evening having done a 15-20% at lunchtime. Have another change planned for late this evening before bed. I'm doing daily tests until I know I've got this controlled.
Hugs,
P.
Edit:Thanks rdd, I don't intend to use anymore unless absolutely necessary!

 

[mlee0332]

J&G, you should just get ammonia. Clear/pure ammonia. that way you can have an immediate "kick-start" to the cycle. The food can sometimes take days to break down, and in order to make the cycle work, you need 5.0ppm of NH4 in the water. IMHO, i wouldn't want to waste all that food...

 

[mlee0332]

test strips arent that accurate lee

neither is my hair.. eh lee?

What you mean by that?

 

[Jo and Gra]

J&G, you should just get ammonia. Clear/pure ammonia. that way you can have an immediate "kick-start" to the cycle. The food can sometimes take days to break down, and in order to make the cycle work, you need 5.0ppm of NH4 in the water. IMHO, i wouldn't want to waste all that food...

not sure where to get the pure ammonia here in the UK though??

anyone?

 

[houndour]

You can get Kleen Off (Jeyes I think is the company) from Robert Dyas. Check its the ammonia olny one though.

I cycled my tank with Kleen Off...it took about 4 weeks. But I did it wrong I think.

 

[Bloo]

Yep - my local hardware store sells it too. But not all Robert Dyas branches sell Jeyes Kleen Off though. It seems not the easiest thing to find.
If you're really stuck, you can buy some off me - I have a link somewhere in the for sale section. I've been sending it for free to some members, but it's starting to cost me now, so no more free ammonia I'm afraid.
Edit: here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=95730

 

[Jo and Gra]

is it right for cycling?.....how long for a 96l 21g tank?

 

[Bloo]

is what right for cycling ??
It should take approx 2 weeks

 

[Jo and Gra]

APOLOGIES, i meant is the "kleen off" right ammonia for cycling?...i guess it must be?

 

[Bloo]

the answer to that would be yes