tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 12, 2012 This is really bad. I assumed my tank was cycled because I had 0 ammonia and nitrites and nitrates were at 20. I recently added more ammonia (just to keep the bacteria alive) and then nitrites and nitrates rose significantly. Nitrites were between 2 and 3 and nitrates were around 50. I did a WC and my new readings are: Nitrites: 0 Nitrates: 5 Ammonia: 0 I am very concerned that my tank is not finished cycling because I have a fish on the way. I feel so bad. What in the world should I do? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted January 12, 2012 Did you add back ammonia to 1ppm after WC? Check back later tonight and tomorrow to see what the readings are. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 12, 2012 Did you add back ammonia to 1ppm after WC? Check back later tonight and tomorrow to see what the readings are. Yes, sorry I failed to mention that. The fish is expected to be here tomorrow morning. Do you think it will be okay in this tank for a little while? I suspect the cycling process is almost over... Ugh, I really hate doing that though. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted January 12, 2012 Do you have a separate (QT) tank, with its own set of filters and air pump etc? What I would suggest is to put the newly arriving fish in the uncycled tank while you finish up the cycling. I would want to put fish in a tank that is still spiking nitrites, as this could cause a lot of problems down the road. On the other hand, in the uncycled QT, as long as you do large daily water changes, you should be ok, and the fish will be safe. That should give you time to sort out the cycling in the other tank 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 12, 2012 I wish I had a QT, but I don't. Is it possible to finish up cycling this tank with a fish in it? I don't mind doing daily water changes. I realize it will take longer, but I am more than willing to do daily water changes to keep the nitrites low. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted January 12, 2012 Yes, it's absolutely possible. Considering that you are either at the nitrite peak, or right after that, it shouldn't take much longer. The good news is that because of where the cycle is at, you can add salt to help blunt the nitrite toxicity. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 12, 2012 What a relief. Now I'm not so worried. So I'm just going to keep the nitrites below... 2? If they go any higher, I'll need to do a WC right? Not trying to kill my first goldfish here... And no more adding ammonia, right? Thanks for the suggestions. I already added salt after the WC. I usually add some salt after water changes anyway because I have had some good benefits from it with other fish. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted January 12, 2012 You'll want to keep nitrites below 1 (0.5 is better) since there is salt in the system to help. What conditioner do you use? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 12, 2012 Okay, will do. Thank you! And I use Prime. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted January 12, 2012 That's perfect! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarannosaurus 24 Posted January 15, 2012 Well my tank must be cycled because I checked the water today and had 0 ammonia and nitrites and nitrates were at 10. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
