What is taking so friggin' long???

M

mari

AC Members
Aug 30, 2004
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My 5 gallon tank has been set up for six weeks now with 5 Danios. The Danios are all in good health and the ammonia is sky high with no sign of coming down. Meanwhile, my Betta seemed like he wasn't doing well in his bowl, too cold I think, so I did two massive water changes, removed the Danios and moved my Betta into the tank. Even after two 50% water changes the ammonia is still at 2!! I am using a whisper filter only. When can I expect my cycle to finish? I want to add some pygmy cories but I don't dare do it yet.

Thanks in advance!

Mari
 
My first question is where is the bacteria colony supposed to live? Do you have much gravel in the tank? Is the only media in the filter one of the carbon inserts, and, if so, have you replaced it since you started cycling?

Keep up with the water changes.
 
Won't the bacteria live in the insert in the Whisper? Yes, the insert does have carbon in it. Is carbon bad? Can I buy an insert without carbon? I have not replaced the insert. The problem is if I replace the insert I'll lose any bacteria, right? I also have about two or three inches of gravel but no UGF.

Thanks!
 
Carbon is fine; I just asked about the insert because, like you said, changing it will cause you to lose most of your bacteria and start the cycle all over. Have you seen any Nitrites appear yet?
 
I don't have a nitrite test kit. I guess I'll get one tomorrow when I return the Danios.
 
Any chance you have chloramines in your water? Depending on your ammonia kit and what type of dechlorinator you use it may be the tap water.
Also without UGF the gravel will only colonize bacteria well on the very top level. the deeper you get the less oxygen is available and therefore the bacteria doesn't do so well. so you will be more dependant on your filter itself for biological. The carbon doesn't hurt, but isn't necessary in the tank. however despite the fact that it doesn't do what it was designed for it does house bacteria pretty well and can be left in indefinately as a bio-media. To put it very bluntly, if the water change cause no change in ammonia, the source is most likely the tap water.
Dave
 
I got a nitrite test kit, no sign of nitrites yet, they are at 0. I can't believe there are no nitrites after 6 weeks!! Did a 75% water change, ammonia still at 1. i tested the tap water before I put it in and it tests negative for ammonia. I bought an extra sponge to stick in the filter, it's not a whisper brand (proaquatics)but I will cut it to fit and just shove it in with the other one in the filter.

Thanks again folks for the advice and info!
 
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