Will my tank ever cycle??

mandyaj_25

mandyaj_25

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Oct 22, 2008
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I have had a 20g tank set up now for one month. The fish woman at the store told me to run it for three days and then add 4 fish at a time (had no idea about cycling at the time). Well did this and one died so far (I had 3 zebra danios and a cory). I know I should have investigated a little further before setup.......and I am kicking myself now.......poor fish. I know that the tank has to go through a cycle of the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate...but how long is the ammonia supposed to be around. Like I said it has been a month now and the ammonia has been reading at 1 to 2ppm since the second week (is this normal). I don't know what the nitrite and nitrate levels are because I can't find any kits near where I live. Also I have been doing water changes of about 40% every 2 days and have been adding some salt too (is this supposed to help). I also tested the PH and it reads at the highest level. I think that is 7 or 8. I have a filter for a 20 gallon and a heater set for 79F. I also tested my source water and it is free of any ammonia.

By the way I have read and learned so much since I've come across this site. Thanks everybody!!!
 
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It takes on avg 6-8 weeks for a tank to cycle. If your bioload is high, it can take longer for the bio filter to grow to accomadate it. It is normal for your tank to have ammonia at 4 weeks into the cycle if you have alraedy stocked the tank without cycling it first. Im sure that you have some nitrites, but the ammonia eating bacteria hasnt grown enough to get rid of the ammonia. Just a guesstimate here, you are probably looking at a 10-12 week cycle because of your bioload.

Dont listen to the ppl at the lfs without cross checking the information you are given. Keep up on your water changes to try and keep your ammonia down below .5.
 
Best thing to do now is find a test kit for nitrite/nitrate (API liquid tests are sold separately online, check Dr. Fosters and Smith or Big Al's) and do as many water changes as possible to keep the ammonia, and later nitrite, under .25 ppm. Salt supposedly helps in the case of nitrite poisoning but isn't necessary IMO in an established tank (unless treating for ich). I believe regular table salt is practically the same thing, just with the anti-caking ingredients, so you don't have to buy "aquarium salt" if you need to use it for some reason.
 
If your water is at 1 ppm of ammonia, you are past due for a large partial water change. You need to do water changes to get your ammonia levels below 0.25 ppm amonia. That may mean you do 2 or 3 50% changes in the same day. I am a bit surprised at your levels if you only have 3 survivors and are doing 40% every other day. My guess is that you might be overfeeding them. They can only have as much food as they will actually finish off in 2 minutes and that only once a day. If you cut their food amounts to that value, it should be easier to keep up the water quality.
 
I went into it blind. My mom has two 100 gal tanks & she never did water changes & never lost any fish.
But I know nothings that easy.. I did a min amount of research.. I still am a total dummy about alot of stuff.
I let my tank run empty for a week & added several feeder guppies. I let it go like this for 2 weeks then added my betta & corys. After the 4th week I put in the Angels. No casualties. But now my betta appears to have ICK.. I dont think hes too hip on his new digs & maybe stressed out.
I havent tested any of the ph levels nor have I vacc'd the tank yet.
I intend to buy all those supplies today.
I love my big tank but theres much more to it that my little 5 gal betta tank I had forever..lol
 
Thanks for the advice. It seems to be working (ammonia has been at .25 ppm). And yes I was feeding the fish 3 Xs daily thinking that the cory would eat up whatever had fell to the bottom.
 
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