Opinion on Fish-In Cycle Please

[adida77]

Please help me get through this cycle soon! Im much more informed after finding this forum, but I cant reverse what Ive already begun.....

Start Date: 12/5
Tank: 28G
Filter: Penguin 150 Bio-Wheel
Temp: 77-78 degrees
Fish: 3 serpae tetras, 2 penguin tetra, 1 unknown tetra, 1 dwarf gourami
Treatments: 4 weekly doses of "CYCLE" (cant get Bio-Spira or Seachems locally)
Feedings: small pinch 2x daily

Various liquids tests have shown:
Ammonia - up to 0.5
Nitrites - have always been 0
Nitrates - 5.0 for the last few days



I was able to add sponge squeezings and gravel from an established tank on week 2 of the cycle. (From LFS)

I have done a few pwc's when ammonia has reached .25 - .5 and I have not vac'd the gravel or rinsed the filter.


Could I have missed testing on the day my Nitrites spiked?

Does the ammonia not have the chance to come down because Im overstocked, and the gravel is full of waste?

Ive been advised by a few to wait it out and let the ammonia come down on its own, but Im sure you will tell me otherwise.

All the fish are active and eating and looking good, and my penguin tetra's tail has actually grown back after being nipped.

Please, please, please advise on what to do next. Better yet, tell me Im cycled and to do one last WC.

THX!

 

[livingword26]

Nitrites usually spike for a long time, but you may have gotten some benefit from the gravel that was transplanted. Keep doing as many water changes as it takes to keep the ammonia and nitrite below .25, even if that takes more than one a day. Thats what I had to do when I found myself in your position, and I didn't loose a fish. Quit using the "Cycle" everyone pretty much thinks it is a waste of time. I don't think that you are overstocked, but the bio load will keep you changing that water faster until you chemicals level off. I'd say feed them sparingly once a day until then.

 

[adida77]

Nitrites usually spike for a long time, but you may have gotten some benefit from the gravel that was transplanted. Keep doing as many water changes as it takes to keep the ammonia and nitrite below .25, even if that takes more than one a day. Thats what I had to do when I found myself in your position, and I didn't loose a fish. Quit using the "Cycle" everyone pretty much thinks it is a waste of time. I don't think that you are overstocked, but the bio load will keep you changing that water faster until you chemicals level off. I'd say feed them sparingly once a day until then.

THX!! I'll follow that advise! Should I leave the gravel alone for now?

 

[southpaw]

THX!! I'll follow that advise! Should I leave the gravel alone for now?

Vacuuming the gravel shouldnt hurt anything as most of the good bacteria will live within your filter... as waste builds up in your gravel and decays it will produce more ammonia and that is not a good thing while doing a fish-in cycle.

Just do as mentioned and keep ammonia and nitrites at or below .25ppm with water changes even if it means doing one or two a day for a few weeks until your cycle finishes and you should be fine

 

[adida77]

Vacuuming the gravel shouldnt hurt anything as most of the good bacteria will live within your filter... as waste builds up in your gravel and decays it will produce more ammonia and that is not a good thing while doing a fish-in cycle.

Just do as mentioned and keep ammonia and nitrites at or below .25ppm with water changes even if it means doing one or two a day for a few weeks until your cycle finishes and you should be fine

WILL DO! THX!!

 

[jm1212]

it sounds like your cycle is about done because you've got some nitrates in your tank (unless your tap has nitrates).

also, your filter is a little small for your tank. the penguin 150 is going through the entire tank a little bit more than 5x per hour, and you'll want to increase that to around 7-10x per hour for the best filtration with a HOB. adding a penguin 100 to the tank will help.

 

[adida77]

it sounds like your cycle is about done because you've got some nitrates in your tank (unless your tap has nitrates).

also, your filter is a little small for your tank. the penguin 150 is going through the entire tank a little bit more than 5x per hour, and you'll want to increase that to around 7-10x per hour for the best filtration with a HOB. adding a penguin 100 to the tank will help.

I dont have Nitrates in my tap - so thats good news. Bad news is buying that extra filter... Why would they sell an aquarium package with the wrong filter - geesh!

THX!

 

[OldMan1947]

The penguin is rated up to 30 gallon tank so, although most of us prefer to over-filter, it should be OK as long as you watch your stocking levels. Keep up the water changes and you should do fine. With no nitrate build up and detectable ammonia, you have a ways to go on establishing the bacteria so keep after it and best of luck.