How To Make Ammonia Rich Tank Safe For My Aquatic Friends?

[AlitaConejita]

Hi all,

I've been trying to cycle my tank unsuccessfully - since the beginning of November

I will start trying to do do again once I get back from vacation BUT right now I need it for my pets: 1 male betta, 2 ADFs, 3 ghost shrimp (maybe 4? There should be 4 but I haven't seen one of the smaller ones for a few days now ).

Currently the ADFs and shrimp are in an unicycles 5 gal with sponge filter and LOT of Java moss + a java fern and a few small Marimo moss balls. The betta is in a 2 gal with NO filter and java moss + Marino balls.

I bought an automatic feeder to keep them fed while I'm away. I think it would be better for them all to be in the 10 gal because the water parameters should be more stable and because I can use the 1 feeder. I'll be away for almost 3 1/2 weeks

The 10 gal has a divider that I can take off or keep on (maybe place the feeder so the food falls over the divider and some falls on each side?).

If I just remove the ammonia rich water and rinse out the substrate/sponge filter in 10 gal, will it be safe for my little buddies? Will the sponge filter keep some of the ammonia and leech it out as time progresses?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Hi all,

I've been trying to cycle my tank unsuccessfully - since the beginning of November

I will start trying to do do again once I get back from vacation BUT right now I need it for my pets: 1 male betta, 2 ADFs, 3 ghost shrimp (maybe 4? There should be 4 but I haven't seen one of the smaller ones for a few days now

).

Currently the ADFs and shrimp are in an unicycles 5 gal with sponge filter and LOT of Java moss + a java fern and a few small Marimo moss balls. The betta is in a 2 gal with NO filter and java moss + Marino balls.

I bought an automatic feeder to keep them fed while I'm away. I think it would be better for them all to be in the 10 gal because the water parameters should be more stable and because I can use the 1 feeder. I'll be away for almost 3 1/2 weeks

The 10 gal has a divider that I can take off or keep on (maybe place the feeder so the food falls over the divider and some falls on each side?).

If I just remove the ammonia rich water and rinse out the substrate/sponge filter in 10 gal, will it be safe for my little buddies? Will the sponge filter keep some of the ammonia and leech it out as time progresses?

 
Do you not think it is incredibly irresponsible to have multiple uncycled tanks and then not be around to do the often daily water changed need to keep the water safe during a "fish-in cycle?"
 
Your pets would have better odds of staying alive if you took them with you, transported in a few different fish bags, you could then set up a basic tank/container at your destination and then do the daily ~50% (depending upon ammonia/nitrite levels, keeping them <0.25mg/l) needed to keep the water safe. Using Seachem Prime as a dechlorinator would help here, it will detoxify ammonia/nitrite temporarily.
 
Before you leave your current location, you could dose the tank with the sponge filter with ~4ppm ammonia and set up the automatic feeder to release a small bit of food regularly. This will give the beneficial bacteria some initial food food in the short term and longer term, the food will rot and release further ammonia for them. Depending upon the water stats, you could return to a cycled tank, unless the water is soft.

 

[AlitaConejita]

I check the parameters on my tanks - I do weekly water changes and in that 7 day time, the ammonia stays at 0 ... I'm not going to wait to see how long it would take for the ammonia levels to rise enough for the API test to start turning green, but at 1 week it is still yellow.

I'm pretty sure I can't take my pets in a bag of water on a plane - but besides that I will have 3 kids 5 yrs and under with me ... I don't think the pets would survive the trip.

I've been trying to cycle the 10 gal but I haven't seen any nitrite at all - I've read the cycling instructions multiple times, I've asked questions on the cycling forum, I even got disparate and bought some API quick
Start - which not surprisingly didn't work.

I am trying to get my pets into a better environment but the fact remains that the tank is not currently cycled and I will be leaving for a while. I'm in a new state and i don't know anyone that can take care of them while I'm gone. I think that they would be better off in the 10 gal with both sponge filters than in their smaller tanks while I am gone - but, since I obviously don't know all that much about aquariums, I wanted to make sure it would be safe for them since that sponge has been soaking in ammonia for so long without cycling.
What is the difference between seachem prime and other dechlorinators like reptisafe, bettasafe, or API stress coat? I use reptisafe - which dechlorinates and is supposed to break down ammonia, but I also have the other two I mentioned since they came with other purchases.

My water parameters: 0 ammonia/nitrite/nitrate (2-4 ppm ammonia in the 10 gal). 7.6 pH, I keep the temp in all tanks at 80 F.

Incidentally, all the fish-less cycling articles I've read say not to use fish food.

I apologize if I'm sounding defensive - I really do want/need the help.

 

[KirkyArcher]

right the situation isn't the best, Seachem Prime helps convert ammonia into a safer form, and detoxifies nitrite and nitrate as well as dechlorinating water, other (regular) dechlorinators just contain chemicals that remove chlorine, chloramine and dissolved heavy metals, sticking with the seachem brand and as a temp measure you could if possible (along with treating water with Prime) if  your filtration system permits you could insert some Purigen sachets, that should see you and your fish alright for the duration you're away.
(should have added...put everything in the larger of your tanks plants, fish and filter/s)

 

[Ch4rlie]

I'd actually recommend you try to get a bottle of Dr Tim's One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria.
API Quick Start is basically a waste of time and money IMHO.
 
You will find a bottle of this on this link and an suggested website although since you are US I think you should be able to find this relatively easily  
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/427161-ammonia-and-bacteria-starter-sources/
 
If you can find a good bottle of this, this can give you an almost instantly cycled tank.
 
Three and a half weeks is a long time to be relying solely on an automated feeder that you have not really tried.
Perhaps might be an idea to have a friend to drop around once a week and maybe do a basic water change and feed, I know youve said you're new to the area, but is a suggestion.
 
Very best of luck and let us know how things turns out.

 

[AlitaConejita]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will get the seachem prime and tim's one and only. I bought dr Tim's ammonia for fish less cycling and it's what I've been using - but to no avail.

... Maybe with the one and only, I can get the tank cycled before I go (still have 2 weeks).

If I had someone to rely on, I wouldn't have bought the feeder since I read so many people on this site complain about them. I did read a lot about different systems and hope the one I bought works based on the product info and the tons of customer reviews on it ... I had to look hard to find one that seems to work with very small pellets.

In totally unrelated news, my ADFs ate straight from the turkey baster I use to put their food in their plate just now - very excited as I've had them since August with the same food routine and it seems they've finally figured it out! the shrimp figured it out by the third day in the tank

 

[AlitaConejita]

So excited!

I got Tim's one and only in the mail yesterday and poured the whole bottle (for up to 30 gal) in my 10 gal since the bottle says you can't overdose. I did an ammonia and nitrite test before adding the bottle and again right now. Prior, the readings were the usual- but today I FINALLY saw purple!!!! Yay !

Also, someone offered to take care of my fish/frogs/shrimp while I'm out of town - I just need to bring the tank to his house. Yay!

 

[Ch4rlie]

All sounding good. Fingers crossed your tank will finally be cycled before you go away.
 
And great news in that someone has offered to look after your stocking while you're away.
 
Bet you are relieved and all sorted out for the best in the end! Whew! 

 

[AlitaConejita]

Definitely relieved