Trouble cycling a new 10g tank

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clyons10

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Nov 30, 2003
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DETAILS:
10g
79 deg
pH: 7.2
ALK: 120
Ammonia: 3.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
Inhabitants: 1 female molly, 1 blackfin shark (approx 2" long)
Decorated with 2 live plants (sorry, I'm new to live plants and do not remember the names)

I have been trying to set this tank up since Jan. 16. I originally started with the two fish listed above and a male molly to begin cycling. On Jan. 18, the male died, and I got another male from the LFS. It died on Jan. 21. So, I went back to the LFS and took a water sample with me. They told me the water was good, except for high ammonia levels, probably due to not finished cycling. We opted to not add any more fish until the tank was finished cycling, and I went home with new test kits. I have been testing the water daily since Jan. 21, and the results listed above are what I have been getting every day. Good that it appears to be stable, bad that it doesn't seem to be finishing the cycle, or am I rushing things too much? Shouldn't the ammonia start going down now and the nitrite start rising? Or, should I give it a few more days?
 
Have you been doing waterchanges to bring those levels down ?? The cycle can easily take 4-6 weeks so you still have a while untill your tank will be cycled.
 
I haven't done a water change yet, was going to do one this weekend. My 2 fish seem to be very happy, and everything I've read says to do partial water changes every two weeks. Should I do it sooner? How much?
 
That ammonia is dangerously high and is going to permanently damage or kill your fish. You need to start doing Big water changes (as much as 50%) twice a day and get that waaaaaaay down. (I'd aim to get it down at LEAST as far as 0.25ppm ammonia.)
 
water change

I just did a 25% water change and got the ammonia down to 0.5, or maybe a little less than that. I have a dip strip test and the color on the pad was between the 0.25 and 0.5 colors. I'll check again tomorrow, and do another PWC. When should I notice nitrites on the rise? It seems odd to me that the ammonia has been as high and steady as it has, and same with the nitrates, but the nitrites have always been 0. Am I thinking correctly, that while cycling, the ammonia will peak, then fall; then the nitrites will peak, then fall; then I start monitoring the nitrates? Or, have I got it backwards?
 
No you got it pretty much right - the question is - did you test your tap water for nitrates ? Its very possible that the 20ppm come from the tap.
 
Sorry I've been away for a few days, couldn't get the site to let me in there for awhile. Anyway, I've been monitoring the tank, as I am anxious to get it populated, and the daily tests show that the water is stable. Here are the results I have been getting consistantly since 1/21/06:
pH - 7.2 - 7.8
Alk - 120
Hardness - 75
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20
Ammonia - 0.25 - .05 - has been as high as 3.0, but I do pwc of 50% when it gets to 3.0 and bring it back down
Temp - 80 - 82

:huh: Anyway, I set the tank up on 1/14/06 and added the first fish on 1/16/06. Shouldn't the ammonia start going down and the nitrites start rising by now?
 
You may be being a bit anxious for results. Cycling takes time. Don't add any more fish until ammonia is 0. Any ammonia over 0 is too much ammonia. Ammonia can cause damage to fish's skin and gills making them very susceptible to disease. When cycling, patience is very important.

What brand of test strips are you using?
 
Please ditch the strip tests and get a test tube kit.

Your tank is not cycled until ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrates ~10-20ppm

If you are showing any ammonia at all, it's not cycled, and you are not going to know if you are or not if you are using those strip tests.

Roan
 
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