One week of cycling with fish! What now?

[osomxl]

Alright, Its been a week now cycling with 5 tiger barbs and have done daily checks of the ammonia and it was .25 ppm for the first 3 days and now has risen to .50 and has been there for a few days now.

I did a complete test of the water today and found that the ammonia is still at .5 ppm but now have nitrites and nitrates as follow:

Nitrites= 2.5 ppm
Nitrates= 40 ppm

My waters ph has fallen to 8.0, down from 8.2 when I tested after tank setup.

I added 5 more tiger barbs to the tank after not seeing any change to the ammonia levels and feeding twice per day (very little flake food).

I have two air lines from a single air pump with a penguin 150 bio-wheel filter and a 150 stealth pro heater set at 84 which holds the tank temp at a steady 82 degrees.

I have sand and natural gravel and small river rock as a substrate.

I have used water conditioner when the water was added and have used Aquafin Cycle for the recommended first three days and added another dose as per the directions when the other 5 tigers were added.

I would like to know what if anything should be done at this time.

Do I need to wait for the ammonia to disappear alltogether or do I wait for the nitrites to drop as well?

Should I perform a water change? and how much would you suggest for a 15 gallon?

I have read in several different locations that the larger the school of tiger barbs the less aggressive and territorial they will become. They all seem to get along and have plenty of room to swim freely and they can get away from each other as I have river rocks that form small hills that give them crevices to explore. I will be adding some slate tunnels and features and need to add some plants.

What type of large/tall plants that will also provide shading at the top of the tank will be able to handle the high ph levels of my local water?

What will do okay in the lower light range or will I need to increase the light output of my hood either by changing the bulb or adding another light?

I hope that this post isnt overkill to read, but I am excited and nervous and dont want to run into any problems and if I do, I want to catch them early.

Thanks for all the help!

[~Col~]

I would do a 50% water change now. Then test again tomorrow.

Now that you have NitrAtes showing up you need to get the ammonia & nitrItes down. Regular water changes and only light vacumming (of poop etc). Do not clean the filter.

Not sure about the plants & light. I've never had much luck myself. LOL!!

[Goes to 11!]

Should I perform a water change? and how much would you suggest for a 15 gallon?

I would do a 50% water change now. Then test again tomorrow.

Now that you have NitrAtes showing up you need to get the ammonia & nitrItes down.

+1

I have two air lines from a single air pump with a penguin 150 bio-wheel filter and a 150 stealth pro heater set at 84 which holds the tank temp at a steady 82 degrees.

You may also want to reduce the temps to 76/77F or so, 82 seems high for Tiger Barbs.

10 adult Tb in 15G is overstocked, Especially during cycling.

[Lady Hobbs]

You should never add more fish until the cycle has completed with the first batch. Wait for things to get to normal to 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites.....do a large water change to bring that nitrates under 20 then wait for a few days and THEN add a few more fish. Continue on in this manner until you have completed your stocking levels. You should never toss new fish in a tank that already has levels not stabilitized.

Pay no attention to the pH. Uncycled tanks never have a pH that is correct and pH seldom needs adjusting anyway.