Water Quality Question

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Drakerizzo

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Nov 9, 2003
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Good Evening,

I am hoping the forum can assist me with a water chemistry question. I have a 20 gal tank that has been set up now for three and a half weeks.

The inhabitants are 6 giant danios, 2 keyhole cichlids and three julii cories.

Tank filtered with aqua clear 150, no natural plants, small driftwood and 2 lava rocks.

This morning I awakened to the following water test results.

Ammonia .5 to 1.0 ppm
Nitrite 0.25 ppm
Nitrate (test kit does not include this test)

Until this morning, I had trace amounts of ammonia and 0 ppm Nitrite. As a result I did 25 % water change with a light gravel vacuum.

My question is will the water chemistry harm my little friends and if so what can I do to limit the stress on these fish.

Thanking you all in advance.
 
right after i do anything like a water change i use stress coat to keep my fish from getting.....stressed! Although there are other "treatments" out there that can be used for the same purpose. A chemistry change like that most likely wont harm your fish, although i could understand if it was a more major change.
 
sumoschro, thank you for the input.
I use a water conditioner called AquaSafe by Tetra Aqua. The product claims to provide a natural protective slime coating. Do you believe that this will suffice or should I invest in another product that provides 'stress coat'.

Thank you.
 
IMHO, Sresscoat and such are products in need of a purpose. Fish have been producing their own slime for millennia now, and not making it from aloe vera. In other words, IMHO, this poroduct is snake oil. To me they are extra pollution I do not need in my tank.

Your tank is cycling, establishing the nitrification bacteria needed. Keep the ammonia and nitrite levels low by extra partials until the ammonia and nitrite are no longer detectable.
 
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RTR's referring to Stresscoat. I've seen him make that same reply to anyone that talks about using it. I agree, fish have been making their own slime coats for centuries, they don't need any help from you. The less pollution you put in the tank, the less likely a chance you have of adding the wrong thing, and it costs less too. Don't get me wrong, there are times, and things that you will need to add from time to time, but I try to keep that to a minimum.
 
I'd keep an eye on those levels. Once ammonia (and nitrite) start building up, they can rise pretty quickly. Better to test frequently and protect your fish than to risk gill burns from ammonia and the like.

The levels you report in your first post are good targets. Try to keep ammonia at or below those levels and your fish will appreciate your efforts!

Good luck,
Jim
 
In case you aren't sure if you need a product at all, when you do a water change you do need some sort of water conditioner if your tap water has chlorine/chloramine in it. Stress Coat is also a water conditioner (it just has extra ingredients you don't need). Ask your local water supply what they put in your tap water, or ask at a fish store close to your house so you know if you need a conditioner for just chlorine, or if you need it for chloramine too. You don't need slime coat enhancers (there isn't any evidence that aloe adheres to the fish's body, and there is debate that there is a negative effect when slime enhancers coat the fish's gills), but you will need something to remove/lock any chemicals in your tap water. Your fish won't need chemical assistance to get through your cycle if you keep up with partial water changes. Be sure to test it daily as well so you know how things are going.

Also, if you only have chlorine in your water you don't need a conditioner at all, you can let the water sit for 24 (with an airstone is best) and all the chlorine will gas off on its own.

Here is a good link explaining water conditioners... this whole website is very helpful.
 
Good Day,

To everyone who posted a reply thank you for your support and feedback. It is very much appreciated.

As for an update this morning I did another water test and encountered the same levels in my original post. I performed a 25% water change with light gravel vacuum.

This evening, I again tested the water to find trace amounts of ammonia (approx 0.5 to 1.0 ppm) and nitrite tested at 0.25 ppm.

I will again do another water change to see how this will affect the water in the morning.

As far as water conditioner where I live they use both chlorine and chloramines, so I will continue used water conditioners.

Can the forum approximate how much longer it will take to complete the cycle??

Once again thank you all!!
 
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