It is now 3 weeks since I have put my fish in the tank. I have 3 black skirt tetras in a 20g tank with a whisper power filter. I am doing a fishy cycle. I have done 2 water changes, the first was after the first week. That was a 25% water change. The second was today. I did about a 20% water change. My ammonia is at .25 or .50, unchanged after this second water change. I have a hard time distinguishing between .25 and .50. My nitrites and nitrates are and have been at 0. I have an API master test kit. I have not touched anything within the filter during this time. I should be reading something for nitrites. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
cycling question
- Thread starter jokerfla
- Start date
yeah do water changes don't let ammonia go above 0.25 your ammonia will eventually level off then you will get nitrites still need to do water changes then nitrates should show up. I am in sixth week of cycle and am waiting for nitrates my 36g has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. Trying to be patient. Good luck with your cycle you will get there. Remember to feed fish lightly too.
Just an opinion, but if I was doing a Fishy Cycle I would do DAILY water changes until my Ammonia and Nitrates were clear for a few days...the gradually change to every other day then into my preferred routine.
You can decide on the amount for dailt, IMO 20% would be a minimum.
Can I ask if you are conditioning your water before putting into tank? The Chlorines and Chloramides are not only harmful to fish but can affect your bacterial cycle too?
I've heard of Cycles taking over 2 Months to complete, just depends what mood Mother Nature is in?
You can decide on the amount for dailt, IMO 20% would be a minimum.
Can I ask if you are conditioning your water before putting into tank? The Chlorines and Chloramides are not only harmful to fish but can affect your bacterial cycle too?
I've heard of Cycles taking over 2 Months to complete, just depends what mood Mother Nature is in?
My ammonia levels are generally around 0, so I dont find it necessary to do water changes frequently. My tap water has readings of 0 for ammonia and nitrite. I use tetra aquasafe to condition the water.
Can anyone suggest a good thermometer? The digital one I have sucks. My water temperature is kept around 78-79 degrees, I am thinking that is cutting off oxygen to the bacteria.
Can anyone suggest a good thermometer? The digital one I have sucks. My water temperature is kept around 78-79 degrees, I am thinking that is cutting off oxygen to the bacteria.
The digital thermometers tend be stuck to the glass on the outide of the tank and that is precisely the temp they measure - glass temp. I prefer a glass thermometer inside as it measures the actual water temp and is therefore more accurate?