tank cycle

DeRo316

DeRo316

Keeper of Cichlids
Nov 23, 2005
709
0
0
Tallahassee, FL.
Ok....I started a 29gal tank for my parents and of course my dad went and got some fish before the cycle completed. A few have died, but nothing can be done now. He now has 2 bleeding hearts, 2 corries, 2 neons.

Ive been testing and changing the water 2-3 times a week(whenever I can get over there). It doesnt seem to be making any progress and I dont know if Im being impatient, none of my tanks have taken this long to cycle.

Here are the readings:
March 27: Amm 2-3 Nitrite 5 Nitrate 5
March 30: Amm 0 Nitrite 2 Nitrate 5
April 3: Amm 0 Nitrite 2 Nitrate 5
April 8: Amm 0 Nitrite 5 Nitrate 5
April 11: Amm 0 Nitrite 5 Nitrate 3-4


Should I add some aquarium salt? Nitrite reducer?
 
I really wouldn't add anything and just keep up the water changes. It's really only been a few weeks. Mine took about 4 weeks to fishless cycle. Just be patient a bit longer and keep doing what your doing.
 
Yea, It pretty much just takes time. Adding salt or anything else (other than Bio-Spira) won't really help you and could actually delay cycle completion. Some tanks just take longer than others.

One good sign is that by your readings, Ammonia has gone to zero. So if nothing else, you're at least halfway there!

:thm:
 
Next time transfer some filter material from one of your established tanks. It will cut cycle time in half.
 
Forgot to include that 10 days ago I put 2 pieces of slate and another big
piece of rock in his tank from my oscar tank which is a bacterial beast. Im suprised he's only lost 3 fish with his nitrites still that high.
 
Chloride will counteract nitrite poisoning, and a small amount of Something chloride would help. My Preference would be KCl (Pottassium chloride) also know as nu-salt at the grocery store. NaCL will work as well. Probably 1/2 teaspoon per gallon is more than enough, and once nitrites drop it can be removed. NaCl will not have an adverse effect on the cycle at low levels.

The fact that ammonia has dropped and nitrites are rising indicates progress. The racks from the Oscar tank will help but not a lot. Solid objects are limited in surface area, and therefore only house smll amounts of bacteria. Gravel, filter media etc. are all better options because they add mare bacteria. Either way the rocks will help, just don't expect a lot from them.
Dave
 
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