yet another noob cycling thread (sorry)

fineexampl

fineexampl

noob
Feb 21, 2009
257
0
0
51
Mount Laurel, NJ
I tried posting in the cycling sticky, but i guess it's generally not paid much attention to, and that's cool.

So i've had my tank running a a few weeks now. I was going to do a fishless cycle, but figured i'd be an *** and go all blind and stupid.

So, i think this is the 3rd week going.

Stats:
new 5.5gal tank
new filter
3 feeder fish (had 4, but the puny one croaked early on) as an ammonia source and to observe for odd behavior to expand my learning curve.
planted
air stone
ample lighting

I've used a brand new pack of test strips, and yeah i hear they aren't so great, but they seem accurate thus far. I tested my tap water vs. tank water and it seems to add up.

Water:
Nitrates: never got above 40ppm
Nitrites: always in the 5-10 (or more?) ppm
Hardness: pretty hard
Chlorine: zilcho, nada. not even from the tap.
Alkalinity: Moderate. about 80ppm
pH: Was in the high 7 range. Now fluctuates in the low 6 to 7 range.

So, my question is, is this normal for this point in the tank's life? This is my first time going at this where it's not the "just throw some fish in a tank of water annnnnd go!" approach. Is there anything i can do to effectively lower the nitrites and get them to zero? I have used Seachem's Prime to try and help with this, but while it helps keep the water clean, i can't see it neutralizing the nitrites as it claims it should. I began the cycle process using Cycle over 3-4 days as recommended on the bottle. Would now be a good time for a partial water change? If so, how much would be good?

I'm probably just over-anxious and should just let nature take it's course, but i'm excited to go fish shopping.

Please, any help would be great and feel free to ask me questions if i've left anything out. Criticism is welcome, so long as it's constructive. :help:
 
Looks like you have a bit of mess in your hand.

How long have you been cycling? You have too much nitrites for fishes to feel comfortable - you need to perform frequent, say, 50% water change. At this stage, even daily until nitrite level goes down to zero.

Are you sure you have almost 40ppm of nitrates? You should check to see if your tap water has any nitrates. If it doesn't then this means you have bacteria growing in your filter now so you are not far to the end. In the long run, you want to keep that nitrate level to around 20ppm., although 40 is acceptable if you have hardy fishes.

How are you doing with ammonia levels?
 
It's rather odd that your nitrites would be that high with the nitrate level where it's at. Sounds as if your tap water may be high in nitrates or you're getting misleading results from your tests. Check your ammonia level. With nitrites that high, ammonia should be at 0.
 
I think you might both be spot on with the ammonia levels and the other levels. I did a 50% change last night and will do the same again tonight and tomorrow and see where things end up. I'll pick up a more reliable test kit on Friday (payday, ya know) and see if my test results were garbage. I have a feeling they might be off.

But please, keep the feedback coming. :)
 
Best advice I got here when I started was TOSS THE STRIPS ...lol

When you get your liquid tests it will be easier for everyone to help, other than that I would do some water changes if that truly is the NitrItes. NitrAtes at 40 isn't a big issue right now. You want 0 ammonia and 0 nitrItes.
GL
 
If the tests were indeed acurate, the Nitrite level is high. Salt would neutralize the harm from Nitrite, but it still needs to be dealt with. I would perform a huge water change, 80% sounds about right. After the water change, add salt at a concentration of 1 Tablespoon per 5 gallons, if the fish is tolerant of salt.
 
Okay so with the 50% change last night, and the 50% change today, the 'Ites have dropped. I'm going to do a much larger change over the next couple days. As of right now, IF the strips are at all accurate (hoping they are), the 'Ites are about 3ppm.

And yes...the strips are on the way out. I'm almost out of them anyway. :)
 
Alright friends, help me out here. I have confirmed that my test strips were basically wrong. I have results here after a proper test with a proper test kit with drops, shaking, test tubes, etc.

NitrItes:
drops: 1.0
strips: 3.0

NitrAtes:
drops: 10
strips: 20

pH:
drops: 7.4
strips: 6.8-7.2 (color wasn't too clear)

Ammonia:
drops: 0-.25ppm (it was kind of in between)
strips: n/a


I did another water change tonight (after testing) of about 80% of the water.

Those little feeder fish are not happy with me. Alas, they were born sacrifices. I shall give them a proper burial once they have served their purpose. I will plant their bodies in my hot pepper garden as fertilizer. ;) Their passing will have served to give a good life to Alphonso and his future tankmates and life to my ridiculously hot peppers.
 
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