I Got My Test Kit, I'm 2 Weeks Into A "fish In Cycle" Advi

[Alm0stAwesome]

Ask them for some used filter media (gravel and water arent helpful) and then put the media into your oen filter

 

[blur411]

Haven't been able to get the media yet, busy with all the stuff I did with the tank this weekend. I did a 100 percent water change...moved the tank (kept the filter running in a bucket with the fish) I changed the substrate to one more usable for plants...added a few plants and refilled. I did a test 12 hours after the tank was back up and running and the nitrate, ammonia and nitrites are all 0...is this progress or hindrance?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Progress!

 

[blur411]

Ok, 24 hours after I did another test, and
Nitrites are .5ppm,
ammonia is .5 ppm
nitrates are 0.

Is this normal 24 hours after a complete water change nearly 4 weeks into a fish-in cycle? Also, I had been using that "prime" to bring the nitrites and ammonia down daily...should I stop doing that, does that slow the process?

Should I do another 50% water change today already?

I'm just trying to figure this all out.

thanks!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I think every 24 hours is pretty normal, some even have to do it twice a day.

 

[fluttermoth]

That sounds quite normal for a fish in cycle.

Don't stop using the Prime; it doesn't actually remove ammonia or nitrite, it just locks it up in a form that is harmless to fish, but still usable by the filter bacteria.

 

[blur411]

Ok, thanks. Will continue...It has been nearly 3 weeks now, how much longer until I'm "cycled"

 

[fluttermoth]

It's impossible to say, tbh; there's just too many variables involved, but it's likely to be another couple of weeks at least, I'm afraid.

 

[TheJ0kerrr]

It's been 8 weeks for me and I haven't seen any nitrites, so you're not doing too bad

Keep it up, you're on the right path!

 

[blur411]

I just went to the LFS to try and get some filter media, and they said they don't recommend that and are not going to do that because of the change of spreading unknown diseases. They also were shocked that I was recommended to do 50-100 percent water changes. She said that would only set me backwards. She said everything else the same about the cycling here...now I'm so confused.

 

[Ruskull]

All of my friends are 3000 miles away, I'm new to the area. Do I ask the LFS for just a used filter...and just sit it in my tank?

Ask for an old, nasty looking but freshly removed filter insert. Cut the insert up & add to your filter, trust me it works like a charm.

I just went to the LFS to try and get some filter media, and they said they don't recommend that and are not going to do that because of the change of spreading unknown diseases. They also were shocked that I was recommended to do 50-100 percent water changes. She said that would only set me backwards. She said everything else the same about the cycling here...now I'm so confused.

Many fish stores only want to sell you fish. I'm not saying this is the case with your local store but that's been my experience. Try a different store..........and tell them if it works you'll buy a lot of fish.

 

[blur411]

All of my friends are 3000 miles away, I'm new to the area. Do I ask the LFS for just a used filter...and just sit it in my tank?

Ask for an old, nasty looking but freshly removed filter insert. Cut the insert up & add to your filter, trust me it works like a charm.

I just went to the LFS to try and get some filter media, and they said they don't recommend that and are not going to do that because of the change of spreading unknown diseases. They also were shocked that I was recommended to do 50-100 percent water changes. She said that would only set me backwards. She said everything else the same about the cycling here...now I'm so confused.

Many fish stores only want to sell you fish. I'm not saying this is the case with your local store but that's been my experience. Try a different store..........and tell them if it works you'll buy a lot of fish.

The first part...I still don't know WHERE I'm going to get the used filter. I've posted on Craigslist, and the two fish stores I've been to in this area wont do it. The one that is locally owned knows nothing...they were just trying to sell me fish. The PetCo is where I went today and I've actually been getting a lot of help from this specific lady who stilla advises me NOT to buy fish and tells me it will probably take up to 7 weeks, but high discouraged me from doing 100% and 50% water changes and said that was very bad advice. She was the store manager, and other than that information everything else she said she agreed with. I also don't think she is trying to "sell me" something because she even told me that the substrate she liked better was at a different store (where I went and spent 70 dollars to get what I really wanted)

I have to leave my tank half full tonight, and hopefully finally fix this T-Bar with the glass and silicone (which, honestly doesn't look like it is going to work), the filters I have can I just let them sit in the water over night until I re-fill? The water is too low to run the filter tonight.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

For me the reasons for large water changes are simple. Ammonia and nitrite will kill my fish and I take out as much water as needed to remove them. Even if your ammonia and nitrite aren't high enough to immediately kill your fish they are still feeling discomfort (high enough ammonia actually burns their fins) and it shortens their lifespan. Your filter is still getting plenty of ammonia/nitrite to grow bacteria. There are many who beleive that important bacteria live in the actual water. It may be true that bacteria live in the water but they are very small amounts (more live on surfaces and substrate, but even there it's small amounts) which are not enough to impact your harmful levels.

 

[OldMan47]

Blur there are lots of folks that have not caught on to our "new fangled ways" of doing things. I am sorry that they have been left behind but they are living in the past. My logon is old man for a reason, I am 64 years old. Nonetheless, our relatively modern concept of doing water changes with no worries is not widely accepted by the retail fish trade. At one time I would have agreed with your LFS that huge water changes were never safe to do. Now I do 95%+ water changes whenever I see any chemical problems in my water and the fish immediately look better. Sorry, but even the most experienced of us that fails to learn falls behind in our knowledge levels. Many old time fish keepers will still have the prejudice that I once had against water changes. One thing they seem to miss is that they routinely do huge water changes by the simple act of filling fish bags all day and then topping up their tanks with fresh water.

 

[blur411]

Thank you all for your help! I will continue with the large water changes. I did a 50% again today, and will do probably even more tomorrow. I'm hoping my plants that I ordered from someone in the plant section comes soon, I'm excited to get those planted! I bought new lights, new glass Versa tops and repaired my T-bar. Things are starting to come together. I'm also starting to see a higher level of Nitrate, that is a step towards the right direction, right?