Cycling question

[Just5398]

We just set up a 5 gallon tank 2 weeks ago the added 4 guppies one week ago. I have an over the side filter, 2 live plants and a heater set around 76 degrees. I'm trying to get through the cycle without losing any fish. I;ve been testing daily for 3 days and these are my numbers...
Nitrates remain at 20 (safe); Nitrites remain at .5 (caution); hardness and alkalinity 300 and PH 8.4. I did a 1 gallon water change with distilled water to see if I could get the hardness, alkalinity and PH down, they dropped to 150 hardness; 180 alkalinity and PH 7.8. Ammonia has remained at .5. Later today I retested and this is what I got...Nitrate 20; Nitrite .5; hardness 300; alkalinity 300;PH 7.8 and ammonia 3.0.
Can I do multiple water changes in a day to get the levels more tolerable for the fish without jepoardizing the cycling process?
I've also been adding Stress Zyme as directed and aquarium salt too.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[ct-death]

You need to do IMMEDIATE water changes to lower your Ammonia! A 75%WC should be a good starting point. Wait a 1/2 hour and retest.
Yes, you can do multiple WCs per day. the beneficial bacteria live "on" things and in your filter and very very little reside "in" the water. Just try not to let the filter, decorations., etc. be exposed too long to the air (I would say 10 minutes max)!

Also, it's best to keep with your tap water, if that's what u will be using. Large swings in pH will only further stress ur fish and can also change if you swing beyond a factor of 1-2 per day. Make sure ur water is the same temp as possible before adding and be sure to use a water conditioner! I would test every day until ur cycle is done and do a PWC as needed to keep ur Ammonia and NirtItes below 0.25

Ammonia over 1.0 can and will kill your fish...

 

[Coler]

you may be looking for a quick answer - so I'll say that you should do water changes whenever your ammonia or nitrate is .25 or higher (which I understand to be the level at which it can harm your fish). And your nitrates want to be less than 20.

As regards the amount to change, i've seen people advise 50% back to back (i.e. do a 50% change, then another 50% change straight away) to keep levels safe during a fish cycle.

As regards the Stress Zyme and salt, someone more experienced than me (total noob) will give you good advice there.

But I do know you need to treat your water with a dechlorinator before you add it into the tank. I thought Stress Zyme was just one of those kick start your cycle products - I don't know if it works in that way. If it's not a dechlorinator you need one.

Sorry I can't help more; I wouldn't like to give you a bum steer.

edit : oh and good luck with your guppies - I understand they breed really quick and you may need to re-assess that 5 gallon for space

 

[Mgamer20o0]

you dont need to use distilled water. your tank is fine in that matter. matter of fact dont use it. its just going to cause your ph to swing which is more harmful then this magic right ph number.

as for the ammonia and nitrites do a 50-75% water change to get the bellow .25. you can do as many water changes in a day as you want.

what kind of test kit are you using?

you dont need to add salt.

 

[Just5398]

Thank you!!! I wasn't sure where the good bacteria lived, glad to hear it's NOT in the water but on the surfaces in the tank.

The test kits I am using are the Jungle Quick Dip ammonia and quick dip 5 (PH, Nitrate, Nitrite, hardness and alkalinity)

Thanks for your help!!!