My Tank Was Cycled..

[isu_guy]

I have a 20g tank with two platys in it used to cycle (sorry all of those that are fishless cycling proponents). My ammonia and nitrite levels dropped to zero after some weeks. I added a pl*co(a 2 inch spotted one). I waited a week, and I believe that the levels were at zero again.

I then added a Black Ghost Knife (5-6 inches long). After a few days my ammonia levels have risen back up. I realized that the flow control on the filter had been moved to a much lower setting. I am fairly sure I was over feeding (although its so hard to tell some times). I have reduced the amount of feeding significantly. I have almost stopped feeding the platys altogether because they usually eat the stray bloodworms that the BGK doesn't get to.

I have never gone more than 4 days without a 10-20% water change and gravel vac. My tap water (after treating with AquaSafe) reads between 1 and 2 ppm for ammonia (from what I gather this ammonia is nontoxic to the fish, and caused from the removal of chloramine) I am starting to get worried about my fish. I have started using Ammo-Lock because the ammonia levels are at about 3ppm and not seeming to be reducing.

CURRENT STATUS:
ammonia: 3ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
water
changes: 10-20% every 2 days
temp: approx 76(F)
size: 20g
products: AquaSafe to treat tap water, Ammo-Lock to detoxify new Ammonia

Is my tank recycling? Should I raise the temp slightly to encourage bacteria growth, lower the temp to slow the ammo production? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Any uneaten bloodworms and the addition of such a large (and therefore relatively messier) fish are definitely valid reasons for any ammonia spikes. It should go down soon, thouhg. Just keep the water changes going.

What are you feeding the plec? Try feeding the platies flakes or whatever, because they might not be getting enough food. Reduce the amount of bloodworms added.

 

[isu_guy]

Every other day or so I put in about a half of an algae disc. Some days I put in a slice of a zuccinni, but he doesn't seem to go for that yet. Most days I remove the uneaten food the next morning, whether it be zuccinni or algae discs.

I feed the platys some flakes, but as I said, I've reduced that because they go nuts for the bloodworms, so they end up eating what I think should be their share of food.

I also from time to time put a shrimp pellet or two in the tank. It says that they are for all tropical fish but it hasn't seemed to go over with any of them. I know that plecos need some protein and will start wanting more and more as they mature instead of just algae. I would figure that these pellets will come in handy when that transition comes.

Thanks for the assurance.
Any other advice is more than welcome.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Do you know what type of plec you have? Certain species eventually get to over a foot in length...

If you prefer not to feed flake foods, then I guess you could stick to the worms as the staple food, but you have to vary the diet to ensure that the fish are getting enough vitamins and whatnot. I would suggest getting frozen brine shrimp, chopping up earthworms, dried tubifex worms, krill, chopped up fish (for human consumption).

As for the shrimp pellets, the only fish that seem to be able to eat it in my tank are the corydoras. The other fish suck it up and spit it out. The plec might be getting to it, but it probably breaks apart before he can get to it.


I also noticed that you are new to the forum. Introduce yourself in the newbie section.

 

[isu_guy]

Its not that I don't like to feed flakes, I don't mind it one bit. Its just I haven't figured out a way to feed my BGK without many blood worms floating around and becoming food for the platys. I haven't been feeding them as many flakes just out of "fear" of overfeeding (and because my ammo is high right now).

I have a spotted pleco. Its very small right now. I will be graduating from college next may. Once that happens I plan on buying a very large tank(in comparison to my 20g). That should be acceptable for my BGK, which I figure might grow another inch or two max by then. If my pleco gets large, hopefully it can be handled in that tank as well.

 

[CathyG]

Just a note, Ammo Lock will break down the toxic Ammonia into a harmless form, which will then be converted to Nitrites and then Nitrates by your biological colony, *but* it will still give a reading of Ammonia on many test kits even though it is non-toxic. Keep an eye on your Nitrite readings and carry out water changes to counter any Nitrite and Nitrate rise.

Some test kits are designed to recognise toxic Ammonia from non-toxic, but I am not sure which.

 

[isu_guy]

anyone have any idea how long it will take for the bacteria to catch up? (I realize there are a lot of variables and this would be a back of the envelope guess)