Cycling new tank with fish

[George&Ade]

Hi.I recently purchased a "Juwel 190" tank,and i am cycling the new tank with the fish i have on my "sig."
I am checking the various levels every other day,but would appreciate an experts advice to make sure im doing ok.
Filled tank on 6th of this month and allowed to run "fishless" for 6 days while temperature stabalised at approx.76 degrees.
Added fish on the 12th.
Levels on the 13th..Ammonia...0 Nitrite...0.1 Nitrate....5 P.H....7.5
16th...Ammonia....0 Nitrite...0.3 Nitrate.....10 P.H....8.0
18th...Ammonia....0.6 Nitrite...0.3 Nitrate....20 P.H....8.0
20th...Ammonia....0.6 Nitrite...0.8 Nitrate....50 P.H....8.5
22nd...Ammonia...0 Nitrite...1.6 Nitrate....110 P.H.....8.0
Just wondering (in your opinion)if everything seems ok,or if i should maybe do apartial water change.
Have been feeding sparingly since fish were added.

 

[Bol]

If your test readings are accurate, then I'd definitely do a water change as both your nitrite and nitrate levels are in the toxic range.

 

[pendragon]

There are some odd inconsistencies in your test results that are difficult to explain.

First off, IMHO I think you probably started cycling with more fish than you should've. When cycling with fish you should only keep the minimal number necessary to get the cycle going until the process has finished, then add slowly afterward. Nonetheless...

You've got some "funny" things going on in your water test results (are you certain your tests are accurate?). You shouldn't have either ammonia or nitrite present in measurable quantities while generating nitrate at a clip like that, much less both of them. Would I be wrong to guess that maybe you added water from an established tank, or increased the bioload (added fish) while the cycle was ongoing? In fact, I shouldn't say was ongoing, because your aquarium clearly hasn't reached an equilibrium yet. Your cycle is not finished as long as you have either ammonia or nitrite. And that nitrate level belongs to a tank established for quite some time. Also a little worrisome is why your pH suddenly went up by 0.5, then suddenly came down again.

Your nitrate level is high. Not oh-my-gosh-code-red-emergency high, but it does need to come down. I would recommend you do 20% or so water changes daily until nitrate gets down in the 30 to 40 ppm range, and then do partial changes as necessary to keep it there. The important thing for you to do right now - other than get the nitrate level down as you can with partial water changes - is leave the tank alone until it comes to equilibrium. Your parameters are not consistent with either a cycling or a cycled tank. No more fish. No chemicals. Nothing. Not until you show zero ammonia AND zero nitrite AND hold those values at zero for three days or so. Given enough time, this will happen, and you'll have a stable tank to go forth with.

Hope that helps.

pendragon!

 

[George&Ade]

Many thanks to both of you for your replies.
I have just done a 25% water change as you suggested.
I agree that maybe i have started with too many fish.
I did add a couple of plastic plants from my old tank,maybe that didnt help.
Oh well.....i do value my little fishes well being,and ill take on board your suggestions and keep checking levels regularly,and do frequent water changes as and when neccessary.thanks again