Granny's Fish In Cycle.....

[GrannyC185]

Hi all,

Great idea about a new topic - I can bore you all witless

Tonight's readings are
pH 8.4
Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm

I'm going to do a water change. How much do you reckon?

Claire

 

[mattlee]

for a fish in cycle and to get the ammonia of 0.5 down to 0 i would be doing about 75% changes. once you are use to the ammonia levels in your tank and what gets them back to 0 then just keep doing the relevant changes to suit when required

 

[Squidward]

That's a fairly high ph.
What type of fish do you intend keeping? Ideal for Rift Cichlids

 

[GrannyC185]

That's a fairly high ph.
What type of fish do you intend keeping? Ideal for Rift Cichlids

Oooh I haven't even thought about it. Just want to keep these platies alive at the mo

Will be after advice about that too........


Claire

 

[Skins]

Hello Claire,
Like mattlee suggested your main concern at the moment is your ammonia levels and a 75% water change should start bringing it down. It would be a good idea to keep a journal of your water checks and water changes, because over a period of time your documented recordings will dictate how much water you need to change to bring your ammonia/nitrite levels below 0.25ppm preferably 0ppm.

Keep us posted, Skins.

 

[GrannyC185]

Will do. Be back tomoro prob
Claire

 

[GrannyC185]

Scores on the doors tonight

Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

I'm assuming we have no nitrate yet - is that right?

Done a 20% change.

Fisk look OK

Claire

 

[Skins]

Scores on the doors tonight

Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

I'm assuming we have no nitrate yet - is that right?

Done a 20% change.

Fisk look OK

Claire

Hello Claire,
Good to hear that your fish are doing ok . It is also good to see that your 20% water change has brought down your ammonia level by half. Can i suggest you think about a 40-50% water change then your ammonia levels will be even less. As for your nitrate it will be present if you have any in your water supply. Might be a good idea to test your water supply to see if there is any nitrate present. When your filter starts to process nitrite then you will see an increase of nitrates.

Skins.

 

[GrannyC185]

Ammonia 0.25ppm again today and still no nitrites. changed a third tonight. How long will it take for the nitrites to start up?

Claire

 

[Skins]

Hello Claire,
As you can see your keeping the ammonia low, but 0.25ppm is borderline. I would imagine your nitrites will start to appear soon, when you test for ammonia i would keep testing for nitrites as well.

Skins.

 

[GrannyC185]

Thanks for that. I am still testing for nirites. Looking forward to a shade of lilac!!!!

Claire

 

[Skins]

Claire is there any chance that your next water change could be 50%, im only suggesting this because 0.25ppm is very borderline. It would be better to have a ammonia reading below 0.25ppm, this will give you a bit of a cushion then.

Skins.

 

[GrannyC185]

Will do tomoro.

Claire

 

[GrannyC185]

Done a 30% change tonight. Ammonia was just 0.25ppm and still no nitrates. Am I doing something wrong or do I just need to be patient?
Fish look good though - they're coming to say hello now and the little one is growing.

Claire

 

[Doc7]

I've been cycling since October 26th, 3 danios, and still nada on the nitrItes. Just FYI.