Vacuum during cycle?

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moboe

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Feb 17, 2004
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I've searched, but haven't yet found enough information about vacuuming during cycling.

Is it advisable or not to vacuum gravel during fishy cycling? My ammonia is spiking after a week, and I have been changing water, and vacuuming. Should the gravel/bacteria be left alone during cycling?

Also, is it a good idea or not to add Amquel to the water when one sees the ammonia spiking during cycling? I add it during water changes, but can it also be added to the tank during spikes, or will this disrupt the cycling?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Amquel

I used Amquel+ during my cycle and it didn't stop the cycle. With no control tank for comparison, I can't state with absolute certainty whether it slowed the cycle any. According to their product information, it doesn't interfere. (Amquel+ is like Amquel, but has something in it that binds nitrites & nitrates also.)
 
If I was doing a fishy cycle, I would definately change the water as often as possible. In my experience, it hasn't slowed down the cycle all that much... and if it does, then thats fine with me. The goal in a fishy cycle is to keep the fish in the tank as comfortable as possible (not making the cycle go quickly)... which means keeping ammonia and nitrite levels as low as possible.

As far as using something like amquel, I'm from the older school of thought. I don't use things like that, period. I have heard of people successfully cycling their tanks on it, but I've never done it before.

HTH
-Richer
 
Think fish first and cycle second. It seems to me that Amquel wouldn't necessarily hurt a cycle as only a small amount of ammonia is needed to create bacterial growth. But why use it instead of just doing a water change. Both accomplish the same thing and one is much cheaper.
 
Thanks to all for the great info. So, it sounds like, during fishy cycling, when changing the water, it is ok to vacuum the gravel and take debris out with the water, as opposed to just taking water off the top and leaving debris in the gravel.

As for Amquel, I'm just adding it when I do water changes, but it seems that I do a water change one day, and the next the ammonia is 1ppm! I'll just keep changing, and be patient!

Thanks again.
 
What percentage and how often are your water changes? If your ammonia is getting up to 1 ppm, it seems like more/more often might be in order.

Edit: You might also be seeing an ammonia spike due to Amquel. Nessler-reagent test kits will give a false reading for tanks treated with Amquel. A salicylate test shouldn't be affected. Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell which is which -- you might check your manufacturer's website if you can't figure it out from the literature that came from the kit.

Either way, I agree with TKOS. I think the best way to go, if you're willing to spend the time/effort, is to just do frequent, large water changes.
 
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Thanks, TPIRman. The tests I use are from the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit, and I'm pretty sure they are salicylate tests. I read about the problem with the Nessler tests on the Amquel bottle. I've also read another thread about chloramine effecting ammonia test results, but again, since Amquel neutralizes chloramine, perhaps that doesn't explain my high ammonia either.

I've been doing 40-50% water changes. Last week I did them everyday for 3 days. Then I let it go for a few days, did another 50%, then another few days, then 50% last night. This morning my ammonia was between 1-2ppm, as it was last night before I changed the water. I know this is WAY TOO HIGH for the little cories to withstand, but I'm at a loss as to why I can't get the ammonia down and what to do to help them. 2 cories in a 6g tank producing that much ammonia? I feed them 1/2 sinking wafer per day. They devour it. I can't find BioSpira in my area. I have 2 healthy live plants, one (or 2) small snails (came with the plants) and that's it. The filter is an Eclipse 6 BioWheel.

To make matters worse, the power company is doing major work in my area today, and the power will be off for about 4 hours. No filter, no heater, no light. I'm afraid they might not make it. If only I could get the ammonia down! The nitrites are registering about .25ppm.

I owe the cories a lot if they can put up with the mess I've created for them.

Thanks for the help!
 
Reduce your feedings in half, that should help slow down ammonia production. I suspect that decaying food is contributing to your ammonia levels... fish don't need much to eat. All of my tanks get fed every other day, and all of my fish are thriving.

Do water changes while your power is out, it'll help arrate your tank, while introducing clean water to your fish.

HTH
-Richer
 
Thanks, Richer, it helps a lot. I will cut down the food. Glad to know they can go everyother day without food.

As for the water changes during the power outage, I wish I could change the water, but the cories are at home, and I'm at work. By the time I get home, the power should be back on. If it's not, then DEFINITELY a water change will happen.

Thanks a lot for the help.

Margaret
 
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