bad water results for betta

[leah9798]

Hi! I know I've asked a lot of questions about this cycling and I'm pretty sure I understand it. But I tested my betta's water today. It is bad. ammonia 1 nitrites 4 and nitrates like 8 or 9. I did a PWC and there really isnt much of a difference. The tank seems to be in the middle of cycling but if I add Prime is that going to mess up the cycle. If it is I would much rather move him to my old goldfish bowl in the meantime. Prime removes ammonia so wouldn't that screw up the cycle or not necessarily? Thanks!! Leah
When I did the PWC I added stresscoat which says it removes chlorine and chloramine but nothing about ammonia.

 

[Liz05]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm still learning about the cycling business myself, but if you cause your ammonia/nitrite spikes to be less drastic, and lengthen the time it takes for the tank to cycle, its better on the fish. I think I would try to remove the ammonia. Water changes will improve your nitrates.

 

[leah9798]

Thanks Liz! Well, I decided to add the prime. I've only had him in there for a little over a week and when I first put him in he had ich and had lost all his color I think from stress of being in my community tank. I just noticed though that he has ich coming back, no doubt because of the water, his color is back though. After adding the prime though and quickcure he's acting a little crazy so I think I'm going to do another PWC change. It may have been too much for him. Although I did the same thing when I first put him in and he was fine. Either that or he's really happy. LOL Thanks Leah

 

[canis_lupus]

u could try adding cycle to the tank......i'm trying it right now so i don't really know if it works all that well but i've got 2 otos in the tank and apparantly they aren't very strong when it comes to cycling but at the moment they are ok. i would do water changes and just make the cycling last longer

 

[wuvmybetta]

Prime!!! Use it! It helps nitrites drop extremely fast, mind bogglingly fast, I love the stuff, a water change will barely drop the nitrites at all, unless you do a large change and that will really really pro-long the cycle. But small changes should always be done during a cycle, just for cleanliness

Is he acting as if he's affected by the nitrites? I've found that bettas are very hardy during cycling and as long as they're aware that they're being cared for and that food will always be there they handle it superbly

But back to the prime, use it and some cycle or nitromax & it should be over & done rather quickly

 

[leah9798]

Thanks! I think he's ok now. Maybe he was just happy. It's been a crazy night because at the same time my guppy starting having her babies. So I went to watch her for a bit and came back and he was strutting his stuff all over the place. I guess at night he can see his reflection, but boy he was putting on quite a show. He ate too. So, maybe he just had a little energy boost. His color is beautiful I've never seen him flare before, beautiful colors I'd never seen on him before. So, I'm assuming he's doing well. Thanks!! Leah