Ammonia Levels in "harmful" reading

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
1. The 'Cycle' product is a done deal. Forget about it and move on.
2. Just take out the ammonia removing packs.
3. Don't empty the tank and start over, the filters will be part of the way through growing the bacteria they need.

Q. are there fish in there right now?
 
Def read up on it some more, there's a number of different ways to cycle. Using guppies or some other starter stock is usually how I've done mine in the past. Going that route It usually takes 3 - 4 weeks before your levels start to drop off. I've tried faster cycle methods in the past, but with rays you really want to make sure your tank is completely cycled before you introduce them. Just my 2 cents :)
 
k, the ammonia and nitrate removing packs are out now.
i didn't empty the tank, i'm letting it do it's thing unimpeded now.

petelockwood, there is nothing in there at the moment.

i'm debating taking the guppies from my gf's tank, though i might be better off just buying some tomorrow and putting them in.

someone mentioned putting in pieces of shrimp, is this another way of doing it? if so, i could do that also.
 
Just don't try to rush it. Cycling takes time, the better you do it, the better things will be for your ray. Either add the guppies (we use giant danios where I used to work) or the shrimp-not both- and wait. Test your water every few days. You will see ammonia get up into the danger zone, this is good. You want to build up bacteria in your tank that convert ammonia. If you remove the ammonia, these bacteria will not form. Next you will see the ammonia decline and the nitrite will spike up. Then bacteria will form that will convert the nitrite to nitrate. Doing water changes or adding anything to the filter to try to lower the ammonia or nitrites will only hinder the process. Once the ammonia is zero and the nitrites are zero, even after a big feeding, then you can do a good water change and your tank should be ready for your main fish. This process could take 3 weeks to a month, but you've already got started so it will be faster for you. The nutrafin cycle will not be harmful to this process (it is debatable whether or not it is useful though). All it needs is time. Sorry if I am being redundant, just trying to help because you seemed a little confused about the cycling process and its very important.
 
Whether you go the guppy route or the shrimp route, it is likely to take the same amount of time, and the shrimp route doesn't endanger a live fish (even if its just some feeder guppies).

Just take a single medium sized shrimp (raw or cooked, doesn't matter). And drop it in the tank. As it breaks down, it will release ammonia, which will feed the beneficial bacteria. Test the tank Every day for ammonia. Once it peaks and then starts to drop down, start testing for nitrates. Once that peaks and then starts to drop down, start testing for nitrates. Once the ammonia and nitrIte are down to zero, and you have consistent nitrAte readings, you can remove the shrimp (or what's left of it, if anything), do a large water change to remove most of the nitrates, and start adding fish. Add them slowly, so as not to overload the bacteria.
 
throughout this whole time, the ammonia ratings have been "danger" and more recently "harmful" on my ammonia tester's scale.

i haven't seen any indication that the nitrites are rising, they're at a solid 0.
nitrates are similar.

i'm hoping it's gonna start converting nitrites, but will have to wait and see.

wonder how long my LFS will keep those 2 rays on hold from my deposit... could be an issue.
 
If you need to cycle faster then you have to add a seeded[DIRTY]filter to help it along. If you have another established tank running take some clean gravel out of it and put it in a plastic coffee can or tupperware then in your new tank.
 
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