nitrite and nitrate

Hungriee

AC Members
Jan 24, 2008
319
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NYC
I think i ran into a cycling problem with one of my tanks. I have this one tank I've been cycling for about 4-5 weeks already. The tank currently has 4 fish in it (corydoras catfish - 1" big) and has been surviving through this cycle. So far my ammonia has been steady around the .75 to 1.0 range but I see no nitrite or nitrate readings yet. How much longer do I have to wait? did my tank stall; how do I get nitrite and nitrates up? My filter Cartridge from my biowheel is quite dirty from the food I feed the fish. I performed one gravel vacuum so far and I do water changes every week since I started.
 
Those ammonia readings are pretty high. I imagine your cories are really stresses out. I would do a 50% water change immediately and do a 25% change anytime your ammonia (or nitrites, when they come) reaches .25ppm.

Good luck.
 
I think i ran into a cycling problem with one of my tanks. I have this one tank I've been cycling for about 4-5 weeks already. The tank currently has 4 fish in it (corydoras catfish - 1" big) and has been surviving through this cycle. So far my ammonia has been steady around the .75 to 1.0 range but I see no nitrite or nitrate readings yet. How much longer do I have to wait? did my tank stall; how do I get nitrite and nitrates up? My filter Cartridge from my biowheel is quite dirty from the food I feed the fish. I performed one gravel vacuum so far and I do water changes every week since I started.
Ammonia over .25 can cause permanent damage to fish which is why many choose fishless cycling instead. But no need to worry. Just do as many water changes as needed to keep the ammonia under .25 and the nitrites will show soon enough. Just be patient.
 
I agree completely.
Keep the ammonia under .25 with water changes.
Once nitrites show up, keep them under .25 as well.
 
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