HELP!! Newbie with 29 gallon tank

Byron

Welcome to TFK forum.

Now, you have some problems with cycling. There is an article stickied at the head of this section on cycling, please have a read so you will know what this is all about. As for ammonia and nitrite, I don't know what "low numbers" might actually be, but any level of either that is above zero is serious as these are both highly toxic to fish. Daily partial water changes of half the tank should be done until both ammonia and nitrite are zero for consecutive days. Using a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia and nitrite is also advisable during this initial cycling period.

Byron.

gracietank1974

Okay, I've done a 50% water change and now I'm REALLY confused.

the Ammonia went from 0 to 0.5, Nitrite stayed the same but the Nitrate's went up from 10 to 20.....WHY would the Nitrates go UP???

P.S. I also added some of the "Prime"

Byron

First, have you tested just the source water (tap water presumably) on its own, for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? And what are the numbers?

This tank is still cycling, so expect fluctuations in these numbers (in the tank water).

Prime is good; it detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate--but you will still show these with tests because Prime detoxifies them by binding them in various ways so they are not toxic but still present. Prime is effective for 24-48 hours according to Seachem. So daily partial water changes using Prime should be safe for the fish and the bacteria will still establish and multiply in the cycle, and at some point you will read zero for ammonia and nitrite with nitrate wherever.

Byron.

gracietank1974

Tonight's recording is 0, 5+ and 10 for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate......

Time for another 40-50% water change.......I sure hope the Nitrite's go down soon.

On a plus, no more dead fish.....

Byron

That's good. This will work out, it takes time, and you're on the right path. Keep us posted.

Nilet699

Good news, to do with using it to bind with the AM and nitrites, are you over dosing it as a conditioner? Sure the bottle says 5x the regular amount to do so.
As no doubt with the water changes this is what's keeping them alive as even though present it is nontoxic for them 24-48 hours.

Glad your fishies are ok....... just keep at it, it'll get better

gracietank1974

I'm definitely putting in plenty of the dose of the conditioner. I've also tested the tap water and it's at 0 all around with Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.

I tested and did a water change today once again and still no change in the nitrites. Still off the chart!!

One thing that really confuses me is that after the water change I IMMEDIATELY tested the tank and the Nitrites have not changed in the slightest, they are still off the chart!! Maybe I am pulling old water off the top of the aquarium.

Any thoughts on where to pull the water from for the Nitrite test so I can hopefully see some type of improvement with the water changes???

Nilet699

Leave it a while, then test it. Testing immediately can definitely cause issues with your results.

gracietank1974

Hello, I've still been keeping up with the 40-50% water changes every other day and STILL NO sign of the end!!! :( :(
The Ammonia is staying consistent at < 0.25, Nitrites DARK Purple (i assume > 5) and the Nitrates between 10 and 20. I'll try to add pictures in the next day or two.

I've added numerous live plants as well as some floating plants, I've been keeping up with the PRIME treatments and no more fishy deaths still.

This is getting really frustrating!! Is there much else I can do?

Thanks in advance!!

jentralala

Have you been siphoning the gravel? Fish food can get stuck down there and decay. Unless you have sand, then you can just suck it off the top. You're using the liquid test right?