Ok I filled my tank with water added buffer, lake salt and Kent cichlid essential started filters (1 ? do I need carbon in filter heard its just to keep smell down) temp. 80 F put in some cichlids (fronts,peacocks,calvus,lamptosas) one week I check all levels with mardel 5 in 1 test strip (nitrate,nitrite,hardness,alkalinity and ph)the is results are nitrite between 5 and 10 hardness 250 alkalinity 160 ph around 8.2 and nitrate is 30(nitrate went up alittle since tuesday I never cycled the water I am new to cichlids and did not research well enough so went to lfs and they sold me live bacteria I put that in sunday can you explain cycle and what should I do know(water change, leave alone ) I really don't know, fish are all babies and don't want them to die they are in a 120 gallon tank thanks for the help
Have fish did not cycle tank HELP!!!
- Thread starter bovsbaitboxes
- Start date
First... you've posted in the salt forum so not as many people look in here.
but let me help a bit.. at least get you started.
What was the "live bacteria" (the name) that the LFS sold you?
If it wasn't Biospira then you will need to be doing water changes on the tank to bring down the nitrite level and the ammonia. You should buy an ammonia test as well. It's a good size tank but nitrites and ammonia are both toxic at different levels to the fish. I'm uncertain as to what level nitrites become toxic but if I was you I would start with a 25% water change right now. Other's will help more if you post this in the fresh water newbie forum.
For all the buffers you are adding... if one of them buffers the ph up you need to be careful of ph swings. Not too good on the fish.
Find the "sticky" in the freshwater newbie forum that is called "cycle" that will help you alot.
but let me help a bit.. at least get you started.
What was the "live bacteria" (the name) that the LFS sold you?
If it wasn't Biospira then you will need to be doing water changes on the tank to bring down the nitrite level and the ammonia. You should buy an ammonia test as well. It's a good size tank but nitrites and ammonia are both toxic at different levels to the fish. I'm uncertain as to what level nitrites become toxic but if I was you I would start with a 25% water change right now. Other's will help more if you post this in the fresh water newbie forum.
For all the buffers you are adding... if one of them buffers the ph up you need to be careful of ph swings. Not too good on the fish.
Find the "sticky" in the freshwater newbie forum that is called "cycle" that will help you alot.
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