1st dead fish, still cycling...

[vigesimal]

Well, I knew it was always a possiblility with fishy cycling, but I thought I was keeping up with the nitrite levels and changing 50% or more of the water EVERYDAY (for over 3 weeks now!) to get the levels from 2ppm to .5ppm. I realize that .5ppm is not ideal either, but doing back to back only got it down to .25, and that took around 2 hours. I don't have 2 hours everyDAY!

Anyway, I knew something was up when one of the platies was darting around, swimming sideways, upsidedown, and at times it was crashing to the ground. I'm pretty sure this was the same one that was sitting at the surface the day before, getting air (even after the water change). It was also huge - big swollen belly that makes me wonder if it was carrying some fry. Which is odd, since I thought I had all females, and they've been in there 4 weeks! Definitely wasn't eating too much, I hardly feed them. I found it stuck to the powerfilter intake tube just a few minutes after I knew it was still alive, and got it out quick. Poor thing. It had what looked like a blood blister under the skin, smaller than it's eye, on it's belly. Don't know if that was from the filter suction or what.

So, now I only have 2 small fish cycling a 37 gallon. I don't know if I should add some hardy zebras or wait until it finishes cycling (whenever that will be). Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Holly9937]

You should just wait until the tank finishes cycling, unless you want to FIND those extra 2 hours everyday!!! The constant exposure to ammonia and nitrite can weaken the fish and without keeping the levels down, they will not live long enough to help you cylce the tank. With only 2 fish, the levels should be easier to keep at a low level

 

[laurel]

That's why I highly recommend fishless cycling. Less work for you and less suffering for the fish. She very well could have been pregnant. Platys can store sperm for, I believe, up to a month or longer.

Sorry for your loss but I wouldn't add any more fish. You couldn't keep up with the waste from the ones you had so I would wait until you're fully cycled.

 

[zazz]

50% changes every day for three weeks is admirable. Clearly, you are making an effort. also understandable not to have 2 hrs / day to spend.
However, fact is even 2ppm nitrites is going to hurt the fish over time not to mention the ammonia exposure before that.. many people advocate cycling with fish, but i dont think that it is ever really possible to do without some damage to the fish. whether visible or not.
I agree, keep cycling with the ones you have, if they survive. If they start to look 'sick' like your other one i strongly suggest euthanising them ( at my house that means net them into a plastic bag,and stomp on them. awful sounding maybe but better than the death you described imo. clove il is also recommended, u can look it up.) and then just finish cycling with ammonia from a bottle.
If you add more fish now, you will have another ammonia spike on top of the nitrite problem, and I am not sure it would speed up your cycle anyway.
Good luck!
Oh, you could also consider getting a python or something similar . that might make water changes faster.