newbie needs help!

[Fawke]

Hi there

my tank is 30inch by 18inch by 18inch and has only had fish in for 4 days. my local fish shop briefly explained 'the cycle' to me and said to expect things to get worse before they get better. however things have taken a nose dive and nothing seems to be improving the situation. My current readings are:

amonia 0.6
nitrite 1
nitrate 75
ph 7.6
temp. 25

last night we did a water change of 15%, this morning another of 30%, also purchased some bacteria in a bottle to speed things up and supposedly bring the amonia down.

I cant understand why ALL the readings are high at once, as I was told they should peak in turn. I am set to change the water again but fear this may also interfer with things and cause the fish more stress.

any ideas would be great, or some re-assurance that I am following the right course of action.

thanks for your time

 

[heresmike]

Hi Fawke!

The only one that seems very high to me is the nitrates. Luckily, nitrates is the least of the worries. The ammo and nitrite levels are low enough to be safe for now. Of course, you're shooting for zero ammo and nitrites once the cycle is compete. If the nitrate reading is after your water changes, that seems really high to me! Does your tap water contain nitrates? I would keep doing water changes 'til nitrates are less than 40.

 

[Fawke]

thanks for that!

good to know things are not as bad as they 1st seem. I did a test of my tap water last night and this is where the high nitrate levels are coming from. the reading straight from the tap was exactly the same as from the tank!

will keep up the changes for now, to try to keep the other readings at an acceptable level, but there is not much I can do about the nitrate?

of course I could buy up my supermarkets supply of evian!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks again

 

[Fawke]

hi again

just an update after my last visit to my lfs. bought some great water conditioner to remove chlorine and generally improve the condition of the water. it also has a "pure herbal extract" to de-stress the fish! anyway, after a water change (yes another- got hands like prunes!) it brought the nitrate levels down to well in acceptable. The cycle; so also the water quality problems are far from over but I now feel I have the full kit and a better knowledge to see me and my little guys through it.

thanks again heresmike, any more troubles I know where to come!

Fawke