Fish in Cycle ?

billswin

I was talked into Fish in Cycle by 2 LFS.

Day 3 and the levels are 1.0 ammonia, 0 Nitrate, 0 Nitrite. I understand that the levels will raise, should I do a partial water change 15-20 % or just let it cycle? I also hear that a product Amquel will help with the Ammonia poisoning but won't hurt the cycle, maybe try this?

I don't want to mess up the cycle process, but want to keep the water the best it can be for the little guys.

Any help would be great.

Byron

A good water conditioner that detoxifies ammonia will work for ammonia; Prime says it also detoxifies nitrite. If ammonia is above .25 ppm, a partial water change of 50% daily if needed will help ease the stress on the fish. Same if nitrite rises. Both will rise, then fall back to zero (independently, not at the same time). Once both read zero for consecutive days, tank is cycled for the fish in it.

To ensure something isn't missed, some information would help. What size tank, how many fish, and what species are they?

Byron.

P.S. I note you recently joined the forum, so a belated welcome. B.

billswin

well I have 4 African Cichlids, the tank is 75 gallon, 48" X 18" X 20"

I use prime to condition the water before filling it. I have water getting treating right now in 5 gal buckets with prime already in it just in case I need a water change. I don't want to mess up the cycle process but want to help out the fishes the best I can

Byron

That's not overstocked so cycling should cause no problems. Monitor the ammonia and nitrite, use Prime with all water changes. Do a pwc if nitrite rises. I know Prime detoxzifies ammonia by changing it to ammonium which is harmless, so that won't bother the fish (and the bacteria use ammonium and ammonia, so no issue there). I do not know how Prime detoxifies nitrite, so this I would monitor. Perhaps someone with experience in Prime could comment further, if there is or isn't an issue.

Byron.

stephanieleah

I know that the use of live bacteria to help cycling is controversial in terms of stability of the bacteria colony, but I swear by Smart Start...I used it to cycle my tank and never saw a spike in ammonia (max was .25) nor ever a trace of nitrite, and my nitrate has been stable ever since (around 5, but I don't have many fish in my tank, and I have lots of live plants!). So my recommendations are live bacteria (since you have fish in there, to speed it up) and lots of plants. Sorry to sound like a know-it-all...I'm still a beginner but this is what worked wonders for me!

Byron

I happen to agree with you. I have used Seachem's Stability which is 100% live bacteria. Plants also do it, although in a rift lake tank plants are usually limited; Vallisneria grows very well in these setups with harder alkaline water. B.