Have I messed up my cycle?
Hi, I could do with some help please...
March 24 - I set up my new tank a Fluval Profile 1200 - 85 gallon with a Fluval FX5 filter. I used a culture to get the cycling started.
April 1 - I was advised by my LFS to acquire 3 young African Cichlids. NH4 0.2, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 20
April 5 - NH4 0.2, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 40
April 7 onwards - The appearance of algae, fish not eating, fish motionless but not dead. NH4 0.1, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 10
April 10 - NH4 0.1, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 20
April 13 - 2 of the 3 fish were removed as I'm sure they would die and get lodged under the rocks and cause ammonia problems. LFS advised me to do a 25% water change which i did. 2nd LFS advised me to add more biological media and start up which I did. They also advised me to add 3 sachets of Fluval Clearmax which traps phosphate, nitrite and nitrate.
April 14 (today, 3 weeks later) - After about 10 hours I removed the Fluval Clearmax as I was afraid that using this chemical may disrupt the nitrogen cycle, although LFS 2 advised me to keep it in the filter permanently. NH4 0.05, PH 8, NO2 0.1, NO3 5.
Have I messed up my cycle by using Fluval Clearmax?
Will I have to start all over again or is there nothing to worry about? My next step is to add about 10-15 cichlids but how will I ever know if the tank has cycled properly until there is a huge spike in Amonia or Nitrites. Should I return the remaining fish and start a fishless cycle with ammonia?
Can anyone help as this is my first aquarium and although I've read some books on the matter Im still unsure....
Paul
Hi, I could do with some help please...
March 24 - I set up my new tank a Fluval Profile 1200 - 85 gallon with a Fluval FX5 filter. I used a culture to get the cycling started.
April 1 - I was advised by my LFS to acquire 3 young African Cichlids. NH4 0.2, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 20
April 5 - NH4 0.2, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 40
April 7 onwards - The appearance of algae, fish not eating, fish motionless but not dead. NH4 0.1, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 10
April 10 - NH4 0.1, PH 8, NO2 0.6, NO3 20
April 13 - 2 of the 3 fish were removed as I'm sure they would die and get lodged under the rocks and cause ammonia problems. LFS advised me to do a 25% water change which i did. 2nd LFS advised me to add more biological media and start up which I did. They also advised me to add 3 sachets of Fluval Clearmax which traps phosphate, nitrite and nitrate.
April 14 (today, 3 weeks later) - After about 10 hours I removed the Fluval Clearmax as I was afraid that using this chemical may disrupt the nitrogen cycle, although LFS 2 advised me to keep it in the filter permanently. NH4 0.05, PH 8, NO2 0.1, NO3 5.
Have I messed up my cycle by using Fluval Clearmax?
Will I have to start all over again or is there nothing to worry about? My next step is to add about 10-15 cichlids but how will I ever know if the tank has cycled properly until there is a huge spike in Amonia or Nitrites. Should I return the remaining fish and start a fishless cycle with ammonia?
Can anyone help as this is my first aquarium and although I've read some books on the matter Im still unsure....
Paul
