Ok this is long and windy, but I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
So here's the deal: 2 weeks ago I purchased a new 24g nano cube. I purchased 20 lbs of live sand, and I bought a large piece of the RedSea Max artificial live rock (I want to eco-friendly with this tank). I have been feeding the tank daily with small amounts of flank food. Per the recommendations of the LFS, I then purchased a green chromis to help cycle this weekend. Needless to say, he didn't make it and I feel AWFUL. I was against the fish cycling method to begin with but got talked into it. I did a 30% water change. I tested the water afterward and ammonia and nitrates were still slightly high. I also had this test repeated with the same results at the LFS. They told me if I didn't want to try another fish to cycle that I should use a bacteria supplement, which I bought, but am skeptical of.
Normally, I would be fine just cycling over 6 weeks or as long as it took. However, this is the first time I haven't used live rock to cycle. AND further complicating the situation is that I am moving in two-three weeks and I have to move my clownfish into this tank (my old tanks and livestock are sold and awaiting pickup; I'm only keeping the one clownfish). I'm ridiculously attached to her and really want to make sure it's safe before I put her in.
I am planning on putting some of my current tank's filter media into the tank when I visit again next weekend; it's a 4 hour drive though and I'm worried it won't be that effective by the time it gets there. Also, will continue feeding the tank, and doing a 20% weekly water change.
Any thoughts/suggestions on what I should do to speed the cycle? Anything I am doing wrong? Thanks!
So here's the deal: 2 weeks ago I purchased a new 24g nano cube. I purchased 20 lbs of live sand, and I bought a large piece of the RedSea Max artificial live rock (I want to eco-friendly with this tank). I have been feeding the tank daily with small amounts of flank food. Per the recommendations of the LFS, I then purchased a green chromis to help cycle this weekend. Needless to say, he didn't make it and I feel AWFUL. I was against the fish cycling method to begin with but got talked into it. I did a 30% water change. I tested the water afterward and ammonia and nitrates were still slightly high. I also had this test repeated with the same results at the LFS. They told me if I didn't want to try another fish to cycle that I should use a bacteria supplement, which I bought, but am skeptical of.
Normally, I would be fine just cycling over 6 weeks or as long as it took. However, this is the first time I haven't used live rock to cycle. AND further complicating the situation is that I am moving in two-three weeks and I have to move my clownfish into this tank (my old tanks and livestock are sold and awaiting pickup; I'm only keeping the one clownfish). I'm ridiculously attached to her and really want to make sure it's safe before I put her in.
I am planning on putting some of my current tank's filter media into the tank when I visit again next weekend; it's a 4 hour drive though and I'm worried it won't be that effective by the time it gets there. Also, will continue feeding the tank, and doing a 20% weekly water change.
Any thoughts/suggestions on what I should do to speed the cycle? Anything I am doing wrong? Thanks!
