Prime's effect on the fish-in cycle

1077

How so? So long as new water has been treated with dechlorinator,and is close to same temp as the tank, this is not likely to result in ICH.
Much more likely to appear with fishes stressed from nitrite poisoning which is often fatal.
If current level's of nitrites are indeed as posted..the larger water changes will bring much relief assuming nothing but tapwater and dechlorinator are being used.
Nitrites kill quickly and the larger water changes are preferred over dead fish.
A bit of salt can indeed reduce nitrite toxicity, perhaps one tablespoon per 10 gallons would be safe approach for fish and plant's on temporary basis.

jfengler

it does seem unlikely but it is true a former employee had done too much of a water change in tanks and they all got white spot due to the stress of all the new water

1077

Yes,this often happens when water changes have been neglected for some time,or,,fishes are being kept in water they are unsuited for with respect to GH,KH,pH.,sudden temp change.

jfengler

yeah the temperature went from 28 celcius down to 24 celcius, he had used one of the other fish tanks connected to the sumps, well lets say he in deep trouble for doin that

Adamson

Damn 82 degrees to 75, did he get fired?

jfengler

no but he isnt getting paid for a fortnight and if he kills anything else hes fired, he cost us $450 in fish

Adamson

Where do you work?

jfengler

billabong aquatics at winston glades in ipswich QLD australia

twilk2012

I am having the same problem. 60g tank with:
3 swordtails
1 gourami
1 Cory
2 phantom tetras
Ammonia is at 0. Nitrites at 5ppm and Nitrates at 20. I am using the API master test kit. I've done water changes with Prime and have used Stability. The fish are all doing well but the nitrites won't come down and have been high for the last 2 weeks. When will the cycle finish? Could I have false readings on the Nitrites due to the Prime?

Geomancer

1077 has offered some good advice.

I would just like to add that Prime detoxifies, but does not remove ammonia or nitrite. Thus, your water test kits will still show the presence of those substances ... because they are still there, just not in a toxic form.

This detoxification is only temporary, and with a cycling tank it is necessary to continue using it to keep it detoxified. While detoxified, it is still useable by the bacteria and thus will not affect your cycle in any way.

5 ppm Nitrite is massively excessive, and will actually hinder the development of the beneficial bacteria. As 1077 mentions I would be doing daily 50% changes to get that under control. I must say I have never heard of water changes causing any disease, however as said sudden changes in water parameters can, by inducing stress and thus weakening the immune system. If you keep your tap water as close as possible to your tanks temperature, there will be no issue. Do not do more than one water change a day.

One thing that has not been mentioned is, have you tested your tap water? Tap water can contain any of the three that we test for (Ammonia, Nitrite, and/or Nitrate). If it does, that can be the source of your problem, but using a water conditioner that detoxifies it is how you get around it, the beneficial bacteria will then take care of it before the water conditioner wears off (in a normally cycled aquarium).

The cycle takes 4-8 weeks to complete.