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New Member
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Last Login: 3/22/2013 7:54:21 AM
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First, stop doing water changes.
Don't freak out yet. Each water change you do (especially at 50% water change) may be causing your tank to start re-cycling. So you are drawing out the process.
Next, don't add more fish until you get this problem taken care off. The pet store never should have let you put in 6 fish to start.
Lastly, leave the tank alone for a minimum of two weeks, but preferably a month. Don't add Prime. Don't do a water change. You could add a product that would increase the bacteria in the tank if you wanted (ex. stress zyme, nutra-cycle, micro-lift, etc.). But otherwise, leave it alone!
After two weeks, test the nitrite and nitrate levels. If there are no nitrites or nitrates, wait longer. Note: you may lose some of your fish during this time. If you do, you can replace them but get no more than two for your tank.
If you have nitrates, you can go back to changing 30% of the water every two weeks or once a month and you can begin adding more fish (no more than two in a two week period). And if your ammonia is still high after you have nitrates, I recommend a product called Amquel+. Add this to treat all of your water and then only treat additional water during water changes with it unless ammonia spikes in the future.
Good luck. 
- 60 gallon - 1 Buenos Aires, 9 Red Serpae, 6 Pristella & 2 Black Neon Tetras, 9 Longfin Blue Danios, 2 Julii Leopard Corys, 1 Rainbow Shark (6 inches, 8 years old), 1 Pictus Catfish (4.75 inches, 1 year old)
- 30 gallon - 2 Comet Goldfish (5.5 inches each, 10 years old), 1 Blue Lobster (3.5 inches, 1 year old)
- 20 gallon - 5 male MM Platies
- 5 gallon - 1 male Halfmoon Doubletail Betta
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New Member
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Last Login: 8/16/2012 6:55:18 PM
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Thanks for the tip...
I have one fish left and i m almost starting over . i took most of the water out cause after my last change the tank was very blury. I also put a plant in there. I purchased a 15 L bottle of spring water and the rest i used tap water with Prime in it. I double dosed the prime. So are you saying i shouldn't do any more water changes for 2 weeks?
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Fish Moderator
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Last Login: Today @ 4:53:16 PM
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If you still have a live fish - then absolutely continue the water changes.
Fish produce ammonia. You already have ammonia coming in via the water, but the fish will still make it increase over time. Thus, you will still need to do water changes. Especially if you are using bottled water, which will further lower the ammonia.
The bacteria need ammonia for food, but 0.5ppm is more than enough to get them started - and is low enough to prevent further damage to your remaining fish. I would say you should aim for that, if you can.
55 gallon
Baby - lionhead/ryukin cross
Westie - lionhead/ryukin cross
Speedy Rodriguez - oranda
Currently searching for a good new tankmate!
planted 29 gallon
3 red eye tetras
4 cherry barbs
2 cardinal tetras
4 albino cories
2 Bolivian rams
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New Member
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Last Login: 3/22/2013 7:54:21 AM
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I have to disagree with princessotfu this time.
I wouldn't do any water changes.The bacteria need ammonia to get started. Theoretically, 0.5 ppm of ammonia is enough. But in your case, the cycle isn't getting started for whatever reason. Once you start noticing those nitrates, your cycle has been start.
So in my opinion, don't do a water change. Add some bacteria culture (i.e. stress zyme). If you feel the need to add Prime as water conditioner that's fine because even though it says it removes ammonia, I don't think it is very successful.
Good luck. Keep us posted on the progress.
- 60 gallon - 1 Buenos Aires, 9 Red Serpae, 6 Pristella & 2 Black Neon Tetras, 9 Longfin Blue Danios, 2 Julii Leopard Corys, 1 Rainbow Shark (6 inches, 8 years old), 1 Pictus Catfish (4.75 inches, 1 year old)
- 30 gallon - 2 Comet Goldfish (5.5 inches each, 10 years old), 1 Blue Lobster (3.5 inches, 1 year old)
- 20 gallon - 5 male MM Platies
- 5 gallon - 1 male Halfmoon Doubletail Betta
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 9/18/2012 3:18:11 PM
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I have to disagree, If you are reading NitrAtes, your cycle is done. The cycle is ammonia, then NitrItes, then last NitrAtes. Doing water changes will keep the ammonia and nitrites at levels that are less harmful to your fish, while allowing the natural nitrogen cycle the nutrients the bacteria needs to establish itself. When you test 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and >0 nitrates, your tank will have cycled.
Calgary Aquarium Society
Aquarium Medics
My Community Tank
Growout for Swordtails
10 Gallon Experiment
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New Member
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Last Login: 3/22/2013 7:54:21 AM
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I meant your cycling is successful after you see nitrates. Sorry. I used the wrong word.
- 60 gallon - 1 Buenos Aires, 9 Red Serpae, 6 Pristella & 2 Black Neon Tetras, 9 Longfin Blue Danios, 2 Julii Leopard Corys, 1 Rainbow Shark (6 inches, 8 years old), 1 Pictus Catfish (4.75 inches, 1 year old)
- 30 gallon - 2 Comet Goldfish (5.5 inches each, 10 years old), 1 Blue Lobster (3.5 inches, 1 year old)
- 20 gallon - 5 male MM Platies
- 5 gallon - 1 male Halfmoon Doubletail Betta
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Fish Moderator
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Last Login: Today @ 4:53:16 PM
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If the tank is having problems cycling, then a massive dose of ammonia won't help anything it'll just kill the fish faster.
The solution is to find out why the tank isn't cycling, and continue keeping the ammonia present, but in a safe quantity. I suspect that constant trying to GET the ammonia down has impeded the bacterial growth - in short, overagressive cleaning. Continue water changes, but don't mess with the gravel, don't mess with the filter, don't add more chemicals than are needed.
55 gallon
Baby - lionhead/ryukin cross
Westie - lionhead/ryukin cross
Speedy Rodriguez - oranda
Currently searching for a good new tankmate!
planted 29 gallon
3 red eye tetras
4 cherry barbs
2 cardinal tetras
4 albino cories
2 Bolivian rams
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/11/2012 1:13:48 PM
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| I agree with princessotfu. If you currently have fish in the aquarium you must continue to do water changes until your cycle is complete. I also recommend regular water test, every couple of days until your cycle is complete (if you still have fish) During the cycle process you will get spikes of Amonia, Nitrite, and then finally Nitrate. Once you show low Nitrate levels in your aquarium your cycle is complete. Then monthly at minimal, but ideally bi-weekly water changes.
125 Gallon Aquarium: 4 Discus, 6 Cardinal Tetras, 16 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Flame Tetras, 3 Cory Catfish
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New Member
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Last Login: 8/16/2012 6:55:18 PM
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| Hi guys ...so I did what I guys said. Added the bottled water did the water change 2 Weeks ago. The tank got very blurry and still is. Haven't done any water changes since. I have one fish left that to my surprise is still alive cause my ammonia is at level 8 on the chat. And in two Weeks my water didn't clear up. Don't know what to do anymore. Can't understand why the ammonia is so high. My nitrates and nitrites are at 0 and my Ph is at 7. Don't know what to do anymore .
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/20/2012 9:58:59 AM
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Ammonia at an 8? Are you sure your test equipment is accurate?
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Swifty
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