Nitrate levels (cycling-I'm an idiot)

[daveP]

Help I set up my first tank a Rio 180L (Jewul) about 10 days ago. I planted it almost immediately using Aqua + conditioner, put in bog wood that was well soaked to remove the tannins, and added Cycle solution made by nutrafin, then put in fertaliser for aquarium plants.

Left it for two days then my fish buying went out of control first i got 6 giant danios, (my dad got them for me)
I thought that wouldnt be too bad leve them in watch the ammonia and nitrate levels keep using cycle, but then i saw some congo tetras 2 days later and i got those too. Which then followed by 2 bolivean (spelling) rams, My dad then without my knowledge put his full size bumblebee catfish in the.
I know too many fish too soon and the tank hasnt cycled yet.

At the moment i'm carrying out 20% water changes every day, nitrate levels about 50mg/L i think, im getting the water checked at my local fish store. Is there anything else i should be doing or shouldnt be doing.

I havnt lost any fish yet and hope that i dont, bit scary really I'm a nurse in the UK and at the moment I'm more worried looking after my fish than i get looking after sick patients.

DaveP

 

[EddieW]

See if your local LFS carries a product called Bactinetts - can reduce ammonia and nitrate levels in hours. Basically live bateria kept in a special solution.

If you can't get them locally and you are in the UK give Tri-mar a ring as they have them and I think they should be able to send them mail order - their site is here.

Hope this helps, Eddie

 

[bigfish]

Just keep testing the water, regular water changes and keep an eye on the behaviour of the fish just to make sure they dont get stressed