View Full Version : cycle repeat? :(
gersheff
06-17-2004, 9:21 AM
Hi,
Last week I just finished my very painful fishless cycle. I had taken my water to an lfs and the water had no ammonia or nitrites in it. At the time I was only able to buy 3 harlequin rasboras. So far they are doing great, they are doing nothing out of the ordinary.
Last night I went to buy more fish, and got my water tested by the lfs to double check to make sure the water was good. Well it came out that there was a little bit of ammonia and high levels of nitrite.
I thought my cycle was done. How is this possible?
OrionGirl
06-17-2004, 9:36 AM
How long between the end of the cycle and adding fish?
gersheff
06-17-2004, 9:40 AM
honestly, i am not really sure. here is the story....
was doing cycke for approximately 6 weeks. My ammonia was disappearing immediately, but my nitrite levels were really high. Towards the end i was advised to do a number of water changes, and to stop putting ammonia in for a little bit. A few days later i tested my water and the nitrite levels were high. so i went to an lfs and they claimed i had no nitrites that is when i got the fish.
OrionGirl
06-17-2004, 10:05 AM
Hmmm...If you went more than about a week without adding any ammonia, the bacteria start dying off--starving. It sounds like your tank didn't fully cycle, was interrupted, and now is cycling again. I would start doing 25% minimum water changes daily--the bacteria should develop a bit quicker this time, but you'll still have to watch nitrites to prevent deadly spikes.
gersheff
06-17-2004, 10:11 AM
it was more like 3 or 4 days without ammonia
gersheff
06-21-2004, 10:27 AM
the nitrite levels are still off the charts. but it seems that the fish are still doing well, everything looks normal
anonapersona
06-21-2004, 1:18 PM
If you have some Prime water conditioner, it will protect the fish from the nitrite while the bacteria catch up. Also a small dose of salt will help. I can't recall the dose, maybe 0.1% which is 1 teaspoon per gallon, or less than that would be 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons.
Yes, regular table salt will help to protect them fromt he affects of nitrite poisoning. 1 tbsp per 5 gallons should be fine. Dissolve it first in some tank water outside of the tank or in water to be used for a water change. And keep doing water changes to get that nitrite level below 0.25 ppm. The true test of a full cycle is the appearance of nitrates more so than just an end to ammonia and nitrites.