Continuing Bio-Cycle

[luxum]

At this point, your nitrites have dropped to zero, and you are getting lots of nitrates. I recommend doing a (or several) large water changes until the water tests zero for ammonia. Then add the half dose you've been using and see if it is all converted within 12 to 24 hours. I suspect you are cycled or very close.

 

[Draven]

My tank is at work. I'm about to go home for the weekend.. Can this wait another 2 days or at least until Sunday?

 

[luxum]

Sure, just make sure you dose even though there is ammonia present, especially if you plan to leave the tank undosed over the weekend. The extra ammonia will probably clear itself by Monday, i recommended water changes because i assumed you were in a hurry to get your betta into his tank.

 

[Draven]

I did a water change and now Ammonia is 0-0.25 and Nitrites are 0. Nitrates are still very very high 40-80. Should I do another water change? Should I put him in there this weekend? I seem very close. How do I finish this properly.

Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[luxum]

I'm pretty sure you are basically done. Bettas aren't too terribly sensitive, so i think it would be safe to put him in, although i'd probably dose the tank for the weekend and wait until Monday to put him in so that you can keep an eye on him as he gets used to the tank. Do some more water changes, get the nitrate lower, i shoot for below 20 although higher levels are considered safe, imo/e higher nitrate stresses the immune system.

 

[Draven]

To lower the nitrate should I keep adding ammonia, or doing water changes?

 

[luxum]

Water changes, adding ammonia creates nitrate as an end product of the cycle. You do want to dose for the weekend though, so the bacteria have something to eat. I would wait and do the water changes on monday, and once the nitrate tests reasonably low there should also be no ammonia or nitrite and it would be safe to put him in. You could do those water changes today and put him in, but i'd be worried about him all weekend in a new tank if i was you (i'm paranoid!) and so i'd wait til monday personally.

 

[Draven]

I wasn't using any Amquel during the bio-cycle for obvious reasons. But now that the cycle is over, should I start adding a few drops of Amequel once I put my fish into the new tank? Or will this disrupt the continued bio-cycle?

 

[wuvmybetta]

Naaah, there should be no ammonia to lock. Unless your tap has ammonia in it.

 

[luxum]

Agreed. Just use a basic dechlorinator, although there is nothing wrong with using amquel to dechlorinate if you have some hanging around you want to use up. I'm not a big fan of adding tonics like stress coat either.

Did you put the betta in the tank?

Edit: by the way, thanks for keeping this cycle saga all in one thread, it makes it so much easier to read back and remind myself of what's been going on with your tank specifically, so i don't mix you up with other people who are cycling simultaneously.

 

[Draven]

He's in his new home and very very happy

He's just swimming around and checking out the live plants I got for him. He's so happy I think. I'm going on vacation this next week so I'll get some photos when I'm back.

Thank you to everyone who's helped me over the last two months. Nelson thanks you as well ]