Still no nitrites!!

[herefishy]

My tank has been setup over a month now and I still haven't gotten any nitrites. I've been doing water changes every few days (since the beginning) to keep the ammonia down. It usually reads between 0.25 and 0.50ppm. One time it got up around 1.0 and I did a 40% water change to knock it back down. Today it's back at 0.50. Do I need to keep doing these constant water changes to keep it below that? Is 0.50 even considered high??

One thing I have noticed (and I hope it's good news) is that I may be getting a slight nitrite reading. I use the API master test kit and the nitrite color isn't as "blue" as it used to be.. maybe a hint of purple. Not close to the 0.25ppm purple color though :(

This is driving me CRAZY btw..

So where to do go from here? Why is this taking so long? Too many water changes? Like I said i've been keeping the ammonia level around 0.25 consistantly.

I'll still have my Serpea tetra (he's a trooper) and i'm down to 1 albino tiger barb. I lost two of the young ones :(

[Lady Hobbs]

Sounds as it's finally doing something for you. Don't change the filter, clean the tank or gravel or do anymore than you have to do. Also, when you do the test, let it set for 15 minutes or so. Color will change in a few minutes and never are correct the first minute or so. (You probably are already doing this but I tossed it in there as others have just tested and dumped and didn't wait long enough for colors to change.)

It has been a long time to see this action, tho, and you should be where you are now within days.....surely not a whole month. Give the tank some aeration and turn the heat to 82. That helps the bac to grow.

[herefishy]

aeration.. check

i'll bump the temp up a lil more like you said.

what about the frequent water changes? if it gets up to 0.50 I always do a change..

[Chrona]

aeration.. check

i'll bump the temp up a lil more like you said.

what about the frequent water changes? if it gets up to 0.50 I always do a change..

I would recommend getting some Amrid (or a similar product made from Zeolite) to put in your filter. It will absorb ammonia, but still make it available for the bacteria, so your cycle will go forward full speed without poisoning the fish.

[herefishy]

I dont know if something like that will fit.. it's a small whisper filter..

[Chrona]

I dont know if something like that will fit.. it's a small whisper filter..

The granule are basically the same shape and size as the activated carbon you put in the baggy. Just dump some in along with the activated carbon.

[herefishy]

The granule are basically the same shape and size as the activated carbon you put in the baggy. Just dump some in along with the activated carbon.

ahh ok lol.. i'll grab some asap. thank you both!

[Chrona]

ahh ok lol.. i'll grab some asap. thank you both!

np, oh and obviously no more water changes/touching anything after you add it in. By the time the amrid runs out, your tank will be cycled, so you can just leave it in the filter until the next time you swap out a cartridge.

[herefishy]

ok, just so I understand you. don't do a water change now and just add the amrid t/m?

[Stingslider]

I trying to cycle my tank too, I mean I been getting high ammonia and high nitrite for a couple days now. I been using fish food, sorry cannot find any ammonia around here that pure. Stuff that say clear ammonia foams when I shake it up. How long does it normally take for it to drop?
But luckily I got some small amount of used gravel from the petco so it should go faster.

Don't really know if I should do a water change.

Getting so impatient to add some fish. :18:

[Chrona]

ok, just so I understand you. don't do a water change now and just add the amrid t/m?

yep. And keep an eye out for nitrites, as Amrid doesn't do anything about that. After you get nitrites, add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 10 gallons of water (double check first that the serpae is not salt-sensitive) and crank the air pump up.

[herefishy]

Chrona, I added some Aqua-Pure into the bio bag.. about 1/4 cup according to the directions.

I'll still see ammonia readings, but it just won't be as toxic correct?

[Chrona]

Chrona, I added some Aqua-Pure into the bio bag.. about 1/4 cup according to the directions.

I'll still see ammonia readings, but it just won't be as toxic correct?

You should be seeing no ammonia readings within 24 hours. The ammonia will all be locked up in the zeolite.

[Lady Hobbs]

I trying to cycle my tank too, I mean I been getting high ammonia and high nitrite for a couple days now. I been using fish food, sorry cannot find any ammonia around here that pure. Stuff that say clear ammonia foams when I shake it up. How long does it normally take for it to drop?
But luckily I got some small amount of used gravel from the petco so it should go faster.

Don't really know if I should do a water change.

Getting so impatient to add some fish. :18:

If the bottle lists no additives, it should be pure ammonia. Even pure ammonia will bubble some when shaken but bubbles will pop right away like shaking up water. Ammonia with additives will foam, like soap, and bubbles will remain for a period of time.

For some reason, the big chains don't carry pure ammonia much but the old time mom and pop hardwares may have it or the Dollar Stores. It's only about $1 for a quart.

[herefishy]

You should be seeing no ammonia readings within 24 hours. The ammonia will all be locked up in the zeolite.

0.25 ammonia readings, maybe a little less. still no nitrites.. bah

[Chrona]

0.25 ammonia readings, maybe a little less. still no nitrites.. bah

Just give it more time. The ammonia should be all gone by tomorrow. Have you tested your nitrates recently? Are they rising? You could be already cycled, but just have something rotting and leaking some ammonia into an otherwise balanced system.

[herefishy]

Just give it more time. The ammonia should be all gone by tomorrow. Have you tested your nitrates recently? Are they rising? You could be already cycled, but just have something rotting and leaking some ammonia into an otherwise balanced system.

no nitrates just yet. zeros across the board right now.

[Chrona]

no nitrates just yet. zeros across the board right now.

Ok, it sounds like the tank never cycled at all, so we'll start from the beginning. Soon you should see a nitrite spike. Add 1 tablespoon of salt per 10 gallons (slowly, over the course of a day) soon (you want to have the salt in the tank before the spike hits). Then nitrites will die down and nitrates will go up.

How big is the tank btw? 2 fish may not be enough to really cycle it.

[herefishy]

Ok, it sounds like the tank never cycled at all, so we'll start from the beginning. Soon you should see a nitrite spike. Add 1 tablespoon of salt per 10 gallons (slowly, over the course of a day) soon (you want to have the salt in the tank before the spike hits). Then nitrites will die down and nitrates will go up.

How big is the tank btw? 2 fish may not be enough to really cycle it.

It's only a 10 gallon. I actually added 3 small danios this past weekend.

What kind of salt are you referring to and what does it do exactly?

[Chrona]

It's only a 10 gallon. I actually added 3 small danios this past weekend.

What kind of salt are you referring to and what does it do exactly?

That is perfect for cycling.

Aquarium salt or table salt (kosher is preferred) - the chloride ion inhibits nitrite poisoning.

Also, make sure to aerate well when you get nitrite.

[herefishy]

ammonia this morning is 1.0 ppm. guess the zeolite isn't working? still showing 0 nitrites.

[gm72]

I don't remember the background to this story--a little help so I can help?

[Chrona]

ammonia this morning is 1.0 ppm. guess the zeolite isn't working? still showing 0 nitrites.

Are you adding any kind of liquid water conditioner that removes ammonia? What kind of test kit is this? And can you link me to the exact product you have?

[herefishy]

Are you adding any kind of liquid water conditioner that removes ammonia? What kind of test kit is this? And can you link me to the exact product you have?

not adding any liquid that removes ammonia. just this in the filter right now: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

the test kit is the API Master test kit. two bottles used for the ammonia test, 8 drops each.

let me know if I should do a water change :)

[Chrona]

not adding any liquid that removes ammonia. just this in the filter right now: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

the test kit is the API Master test kit. two bottles used for the ammonia test, 8 drops each.

let me know if I should do a water change :)

Hm, what the heck? Yes, do a water change. Though the only time I've used zeolite, it dropped ammonia from 1+ppm to 0 in less than 24 hours. Granted it was a different brand, but it's all the same stuff and many people use it to great effect. I don't know what to tell you. Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

[herefishy]

Hm, what the heck?

lol, tell me about it!

Yes, do a water change.

I'll do 20% now and 20% t/m morning (I only keep 2 gallons of water on hand)

Though the only time I've used zeolite, it dropped ammonia from 1+ppm to 0 in less than 24 hours. Granted it was a different brand, but it's all the same stuff and many people use it to great effect. I don't know what to tell you.

Well, it worked for about a week or so.. it just stopped I guess :confused:

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

No, i'll try that.. ty

[herefishy]

I don't remember the background to this story--a little help so I can help?

sorry gm.. the background should be in this thread. to sum it up:

LONGEST.CYCLE.EVER.

[Chrona]

lol, tell me about it!



I'll do 20% now and 20% t/m morning (I only keep 2 gallons of water on hand)



Well, it worked for about a week or so.. it just stopped I guess :confused:



No, i'll try that.. ty

Oh it did drop the ammonia for a week? It's probably depleted then. If you only have 2 fish, I might even suggest just returning them to the LFS for the time being and doing a fishless cycling. You can continue to dump zeolite into the for the time being if you want. Nitritite "should" be coming soon, though there have been a couple of cases of "omglongestcycleever" around here.

[herefishy]

Oh it did drop the ammonia for a week? It's probably depleted then. If you only have 2 fish, I might even suggest just returning them to the LFS for the time being and doing a fishless cycling. You can continue to dump zeolite into the for the time being if you want. Nitritite "should" be coming soon, though there have been a couple of cases of "omglongestcycleever" around here.


Ammonia in the tap water.. i'd say about .50ppm. good to know I was trying to remove ammonia by adding ammonia!

I have an extra media bag laying around. You think I should fill it with the aqua pure and drop it in the tank, or let it hang from something? Is it still effective if it's not in the filter?

[Chrona]

Ammonia in the tap water.. i'd say about .50ppm. good to know I was trying to remove ammonia by adding ammonia!

I have an extra media bag laying around. You think I should fill it with the aqua pure and drop it in the tank, or let it hang from something? Is it still effective if it's not in the filter?

It has to be in an area of good flow. If you could hang a small bag from the outlet (so that it doesn't completely block everything) that would probably work. As for your ammonia problem, start using Seachem Prime as your water conditioner. Ounce for ounce, it's cheaper than anything else and it also locks in ammonia like Amquel. Of course, you'll still read ammonia, but it'll be the harmless ammonium form so you can safely ignore it. And after that......you just have to wait it out I guess. Ammonia in tap water is a pain in the a--

[herefishy]

hmm.. tested today and got 5.0ppm nitrates!

0 nitrites
0.25 ammonia

[Chrona]

hmm.. tested today and got 5.0ppm nitrates!

0 nitrites
0.25 ammonia

What did you have before for nitrates?

[herefishy]

What did you have before for nitrates?

Every time I tested for nitrates I would get zero. This was the first time it wasn't yellow :)

[gm72]

You are on your way now!

[Chrona]

Every time I tested for nitrates I would get zero. This was the first time it wasn't yellow :)

Yes, I would say you are on your way. Though the fact that is still reads ammonia is odd.

[herefishy]

Yes, I would say you are on your way. Though the fact that is still reads ammonia is odd.

I know..

This morning I dumped my bio bag and added some new aqua pure. So i'm hoping the ammonia is gone by tomorrow.