cycle repeat? :(

G

gersheff

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Apr 28, 2004
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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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
Prime, water conditioner

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.
 
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