Ok I'll admit it.... I messed up. So now how do I fix it?

[Roadblock]

I have a 55Gal setup and i thought it was cycled. I didn't test the water, i just poured in tap, added the Aquasafe, and let it flow for 2 weeks with 2 12cent feeder goldfish. I've had that work twice in the past this time, no such luck. So I've been reading here on MFK for about a month and you guys know your stuff so how do I fix my cloudy tank?

- I took a water sample to Petsmart (all i have locally) and i've got very high Ammonia & Nitrites.

- I've pulled out the 2 goldfish that started the tank. So now there is a total of 10 fish in the tank, largest being a 5" oscar

- I've got 2 HOB rated for 60gal, a 10Gal W/D that isn't plumbed yet using a piece of hose, I forced my powerhead to output water into one of the HOB filters so it would process water faster. I'm not using the Carbon in the HOBs.

I just don't think I'm processing the ammonia fast enough. Should i use something to remove the ammonia chemically?

 

[Onion01]

two weeks is not enough, although they'll tell you otherwise. You have to continue with the cycle. Use 8-10 zebra danios, and don't feed them for a week. Buy a test kit (liquid, not strips), and test every day. After a week, start feeding VERY LITTLE. Test everyday. At first, ammonia will shoot up, then it will drop and nitrite will rise. When both ammonia and nitrite hit 0 (may take a up to a month or more), you are cycled. I know it is hard to wait, but don't rush it. And don't use chemicals. Do it the old fashioned way.

 

[Roadblock]

ok but i already have fish in the tank so how can i make it right now?

 

[hillbilly]

ok but i already have fish in the tank so how can i make it right now?

Daily water changes until ammonia and nitrite read zero, and you are getting nitrate readings. It may take several weeks. It would help if you could get some used filter media from someone who had a established tank. That way you could jump start the cycle. You could use Bio-Spira. Some says it works pretty good. It's pricey though. Understand your fish are going to be greatly stressed until this thing cycles, and you may lose a few. Ammonia burns gills, and nitrite ain't good either. Good luck! Where you located in NC? If you are close enough, I can hook you up with some cycled bio media.

 

[cichlid2006]

to be honest i would leave it be and let it finish the cycle. your getting a bacterial bloom so your halfway there. just keep an eye on the readings and you should see ammonia hit zero, nitrite go up then fall to zero and nitrate rise.
once nitrate rises and the other 2 are zero then your good to go.

 

[HarleyK]

Welcome to MFK

No worries, happens to the best of us. I'd get THIS and THAT

They generally ship the next day and you are close enough to their headquarters that you could get it the day thereafter. Until then: water changes.

Good luck,
HarleyK

 

[Nic]

bio spira= livebacteria

 

[Malawi-]

bio spira is GREAT.

 

[xiahaolong168]

I just don't think I'm processing the ammonia fast enough. Should i use something to remove the ammonia chemically?

there are ammonia remover chips that you can use as media in your filter. I use ammonia remover in my aquaclear 110.

 

[s2convt]

I'd just leave it be, you had two feeders and then added 10 more fish so the tank is just responding to the increased amount of fish. If the ammonia continues to rise do a water change but otherwise leave it a lone and it'll cycle it self out.

My 150g took over 1 month to completely cycle.