Fish in cycle

[Rmywife316]

Slimmer, I could ask them if I’d be possible. Their tanks are very overcrowded. So maybe that’s got to do with the deaths? Are there any questions I should ask them?

tlindsey, the tanks at petsmart are always loaded with ich here and I definitely don’t need more of that. Any suggestions what I should do?

pops, yes everything stayed wet

 

[pops]

bacteria does go dormant. left to run the bio-filter may perk up after a bit. bacteria is hard to kill barring antiseptics.

 

[pops]

in your water tests do you register any nitrite and nitrate?

 

[Rmywife316]

in your water tests do you register any nitrite and nitrate?

No I don’t yet. 0.5 ppm of ammonia and 0 on both nitrite and nitrate

 

[deeda]

I would avoid using the stores media if you've seen dead fish or any illness.

Just do daily water changes to keep the ammonia below 1 PPM, the same if you see nitrite increasing.

The only quick start bacteria product I've used with good results is Start Smart Complete but I don't know if it's available where you are located.

 

[Rmywife316]

I’m going to avoid the fish store media. I definitely don’t want to have a cycled tank full of disease. The ammonia was at 1.0 ppm when I got home from work. I dosed enough prime for it last night and everyone was still doing well. The nitrite was also not as blue. It wasn’t yet .25 but it was definitely in between that and 0. I did a 70% water change and I’m giving it about an hour before I recheck ammonia.

 

[pops]

water getting cloudy at all?

 

[Rmywife316]

water getting cloudy at all?

Not at all. I changed about 70% last night and dropped the ammonia from 1.0 to .25. I checked it again this morning and it was still .25

I plan to check again when I get home and change enough water to keep it down. I am worried that the nitrite won’t be able to go with how much water I’m removing. Is this an issue?

 

[slimmer]

I was thinking taking some of there water to check for ammonia. Maybe that is why there fish are dying.(overcrowded tank). They might not be cycled . You don't need there disease. Maybe a friend has a tank running.

 

[deeda]

Removing the water to keep the ammonia and eventually nitrite low enough to not affect the fish is better than letting it rise. Beneficial bacteria grows mostly on hard surfaces such as filter media, tank surfaces and decor and not in the water itself.