Tank cycle question
- Thread starter Wisconsinbadger
- Start date
Got the master test kit here are the results. Looks like ammonia is about .50ppm. Still no nitrite or nitrate in tank. Goes to show those LFS tests were terrible.
Well that confirms it then, I take back all I said. Your tank isn't cycled. In fact, going off the ammonia reading the cycle looks like it could just be starting.
There simply is no substitution for having the ability to monitor your own system, with your own test kit, rather than rely on patchy, and often incorrect information from the LFS.
Looks like a fish in cycle it is.
There simply is no substitution for having the ability to monitor your own system, with your own test kit, rather than rely on patchy, and often incorrect information from the LFS.
Looks like a fish in cycle it is.
i should probably do a 30-50% water change right with ammonia this high? I can’t believe how reckless the LFS oh yeah you “skipped” the cycle. How many people just go and buy a few hundred worth of fish then and lose them. Insane.
W
Wisconsinbadger
, if you are brand new to testing using the API liquid reagents, be sure to follow the instructions exactly which includes shaking the nitrate reagent bottles aggressively before dispensing the drops into the test tube.
I wouldn't do a water change yet, you'll only slow down the cycle. If the ammonia isn't present the beneficial bacteria won't grow.
With a fish in cycle it's a bit of a balancing act. You need the ammonia to kick-start the cycle, but too much and your stock suffer. So water changes will help your stock but may slow down the cycle a tad.
You can use Prime to detoxify the ammonia but it only binds it for about 48hrs at which time it will revert back to its toxic form, so you'd have to add more prime after this time.
It renders the ammonia harmless to your fish temporarily, but your growing colony of BB can still absorb it, which is exactly what you want.
I think this would be a good course of action for you, if you have some Prime.
You can use Prime to detoxify the ammonia but it only binds it for about 48hrs at which time it will revert back to its toxic form, so you'd have to add more prime after this time.
It renders the ammonia harmless to your fish temporarily, but your growing colony of BB can still absorb it, which is exactly what you want.
I think this would be a good course of action for you, if you have some Prime.
i can run and grab some more I just finished my last batch when I set up the tank. So basically I’ll dose for the full 75 gallon tank and it’ll give me about 2 days worth of protection from the ammonia?
Just follow the dosing recommendations and you should be good. It also detoxifies nitrite too so once your cycle gains momentum you may need it again. It's just a precautionary measure to protect your fish. Fish in cycles are rarely fun, for the fish!
