atep32 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Ok so I have a new tank. Someone at the Lfs said using all the bio noodles from my old filter would be fine and I was good to go. So I did and chucked a nitra zorb in. A week later my Ammonia was increasing so I used ammo lock. It stayed about the same, which the bottle said it would except now it was not toxic. After a bit of thought I decided two days ago that the nitra zorb may be inhibiting the tanks ability to cycle so I removed all my fish and the nitra zorb and did a big water change, put one of grandmas goldfish in and this morning the ammonia was about 4.0 ppm. Am I meant to keep changing water? I am under the understanding to let the ammonia peak, then let the nitrite ( which there is no sign of) peak, then I will have nitrates at which stage I do a water change and add my fish. Is this right? I'm a bit confused.Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Read this article I wrote some years ago now: (scroll down to nitrogen cycle)http://www.cichlids-aust.com/articles.htmlHave to wait until ammonia is gone completely before you introduce fish. Generally after a second ammonia spike has dissipated, you can then do a decent water change and introduce fish (gradually is best). I am a believer that ammo lock does work but no ammonia is good ammonia, and the addition of ammo lock may disrupt the breakdown of ammonia.The info the LFS gave you can work but as I've learnt over the years that during cycle it is best to er in the side of caution. Keep monitoring, if fish are present it may be worth doing daily 10% water changes to keep fish going (the issue here is it may lengthen the cycle process). If you can, remove the fish to an established tank until ammonia is '0'. Hope I havn't confused you too much!Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atep32 Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 So if I remove the goldfish now that ammonia is present, do I not have to do water changes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 In short no you don't. In not so short:Ammonia will convert to nitrites once filter is established. Then you do a water change. If it is only low levels of ammonia, the goldfish will be ok. I used to use goldfish to cycle my aquariums. If ammonia does not go then you must have contamination from too much organic matter (food, plants ect). Located in the tank or built up in the filter. Just give it time and it will be fine. Filters need the initial ammonia spike to kick start 'good bacteria'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atep32 Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Ok, took goldfish out because ammonia test couldn't of for any greener if it tried. Will wait for nitrites. Thanks for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Give it time. How long has the tank been cycling now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atep32 Posted November 17, 2012 Author Share Posted November 17, 2012 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattrox Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 A full cycle starting from scratch usually takes me 6 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Yes you have at least two yet to go. BTW I do understand you we're fed a bit of bull by your LFS so don't stress to much, I'm pretty sure we've all lost fish and made mistakes because we've been given crap info. I'm pretty sure even the most experienced fish keepers have tried to fast track a cycle and end up having issues. I know I've done it.Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atep32 Posted November 18, 2012 Author Share Posted November 18, 2012 Ok we'll any sign of ammonia is gone. I tested twice because I wasn't sure I could believe it. Still no nitrites. Although the last couple of days when I still had ammonia the nitrite test wasn't quite purple but it definitely wasn't aqua either.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerrin Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Just a quick question re. the advice given. What is bad about being told to use old filter media to seed a tank? Isn't the idea of a cycle to establish a colony of beneficial bacteria inside the filter? This was the method I used when setting up my latest tank and I haven't lost a fish, was I just lucky? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I do the same but I wouldn't expect the tank to be ready to go for fish, as the first post suggested.Atep32: keep seeding the tank with a little bit of food each day and keep monitoring, if it holds out with no spike for the next 3-4 days then do a 40% water change (and gravel vac) and as long as there is no nitrites you can slowly start introducing fish. Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerrin Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 ahhh i see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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