Very confused about Prime and the results I'm getting from testing...

[1boatnut]

Cycling just takes time. It took my tank about 6 weeks before it finished a fish cycle (Black Skirts).I didn't loose any fish and still have the original Black Skirts today.
I did a 20% water change every other day or so.

I know its hard to wait,but really it is best .
I am not sure I would have used Blue Rams in a tank that is cycling.

 

[volkl23]

Cycling just takes time. It took my tank about 6 weeks before it finished a fish cycle (Black Skirts).I didn't loose any fish and still have the original Black Skirts today.
I did a 20% water change every other day or so.

I know its hard to wait,but really it is best .
I am not sure I would have used Blue Rams in a tank that is cycling.

Ditto on the Rams. I ordered the blue ram pair more than 2 months ago (took some time since they were wild caught) assuming that the tank would be cycled by then.

This cycling is really taking forever. Going on 10 weeks now I did by an aquaclear for a 20-30gallon. I'm itching to put it in, but I guess I'll wait it out. I've spent so much extra money on Prime and Amquel Plus trying to detoxify the nitrites without doing so many water changes. I used to do 50% PWC twice a day, now I'm doing 75%PWC every 5-6 days.

Every one looks healthy and they literally eat like piranhas so I guess that's still good.

 

[1boatnut]

Every one looks healthy and they literally eat like piranhas so I guess that's still good.

If that is your Ram in your Avitar it sure is a pretty looking fish !
What kind of filter are you using now ? Does it have a bio wheel ?

 

[volkl23]

If that is your Ram in your Avitar it sure is a pretty looking fish !
What kind of filter are you using now ? Does it have a bio wheel ?

Yup, that's the male ram. They are coloring up nicely with each passing day. I'm happy they are doing as well as they are since my water is a little on the iffy side.

As for filter, I just have a no-name filter that was included with my aquarium kit. I believe it was made by aqua-culture. It looks like a 20g whisper filter.

Obviously, it's not doing as well as the other name-brand ones like aquaclear. The flow rate is good and I've even put some another layer of bio-sponge material almost 3 weeks ago to increase the bacterial colonies. I thought that would definitely complete the cycle, but alas, no go.

 

[sandijo]

Sorry guys, I meant to say to use Prime for the high nitrite stage, not nitrate stage. Hope things are leveling out for you.

 

[volkl23]

Ok, I bought an Aquaclear 30 and installed it. I also did a 90% PWC to get rid of EVERYTHING toxic. Currently, I'm at .05 nitrites, and around 10 nitrates. Strange thing with the nitrates though. I was at 20 PPM and thought the 90% PWC would reduce it significantly (by 90% to be exact), but after the water change, nitrates are around 7-8PPM. Weird.

Ok, this new filter better work. I even overshot by putting in 2 sponges and the biomax. Let the bacteria infestation begin!

 

[mozart]

I'm no expert, but my bottle says nitrates 40 ppm (mg/L) or less is safe. My tap water frequently has 20, so my nitrates after a pwc are often higher than after a few days of being in the tank. 0.5 on the nitrites is getting close! Everytime I test '0' it is sheer joy! Feels like a miracle. Hang in there!

 

[dixienut]

you are only half way through you cycle, you have enough bacteria for amm, but are still building the bacteria that eat nitrites, they are very slow growing... keep with water changes till other bact. catches up or use a big dose of bio spira, i used it for my tanks when they all crashed overnight and it kept my fish alive,.. if bad enough it will keep ammm no higher than 1ppm and nitrites at same, stress level, but kept it from climbing.. my fish did well had cherry barbs and neons .. relax if after 3 different test morning evening and next morning are the same, at the level i stated than you've reached the place where all you have to do is wait... if they don't rise after 3 then don't change water and let the bacteria go to work..
don't worry about the nitrates just now 40 is ok till you get the others going..mine has been there and no effects on my fish..

if the fish are showing signs of stress than do waterchanges if seem calm than do only if the tests are in the danger side..

 

[volkl23]

you are only half way through you cycle, you have enough bacteria for amm, but are still building the bacteria that eat nitrites, they are very slow growing... keep with water changes till other bact. catches up or use a big dose of bio spira, i used it for my tanks when they all crashed overnight and it kept my fish alive,.. if bad enough it will keep ammm no higher than 1ppm and nitrites at same, stress level, but kept it from climbing.. my fish did well had cherry barbs and neons .. relax if after 3 different test morning evening and next morning are the same, at the level i stated than you've reached the place where all you have to do is wait... if they don't rise after 3 then don't change water and let the bacteria go to work..
don't worry about the nitrates just now 40 is ok till you get the others going..mine has been there and no effects on my fish..

if the fish are showing signs of stress than do waterchanges if seem calm than do only if the tests are in the danger side..

Wow, my ammonia bacteria sure work fast! 12 hours later, my nitrites went from a paltry .05 to .60! This was after a 90% water changer late last night.