newbie with a cycling question

[kimberly1107]

I am in the cycling process as we speak lol...my question is about 15 hours ago I did a 30% water change to my 44 gallon tank..the amonia was at 2 and the night before it was only .25, so I know the process is starting...I added amo lock when I did the change. I just checked again and it looks to be at 2 again...Is it possible that the amo lock is working but I am still getting this reading because it doesnt actually remove the amonia? This is all so confusing lol. Do I need to do another water change today? Please help I wanna do the right thing! Thanks
Amonia 2?
Nitrite 0
Nirrate 0
Ph 7.4
Temp 78

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Are you fish in cycling? And welcome to AA

 

[LyndaB]

Ammo lock is defeating the purpose. You need ammonia in order to cycle the tank. Otherwise, the beneficial bacterie die off from starvation.

Do you have fish in this tank?

 

[kimberly1107]

Thanks! I am...we were not aware of the cycle that takes place...when i was a kid it seemed like we just threw the fish in the water...I did use water conditioner and I thought I was doing everything right, then an employee at a pet store informed me of the "cycle" ...so now I am trying to do the right thing

 

[kimberly1107]

Lynda...the research I have done says thats not true...the amo lock just makes the amonia less harmfull but does not remove or upset the cycle...I am new at this tho so idk

 

[LyndaB]

I've never used Ammo Lock, but everything I've heard in various forums has been negative. Most of us use Prime as a dechlorinator. It's trustworthy, does the job, and one bottle lasts a long time. Now, if they could only improve the smell of it......

I just read your other thread and you have inappropriate fish for this size tank. As long as you have ammonia over .25, you have to do daily water changes, 50%.

It's very tough cycling with fish. You need to be really hands on and it's a lot more work than cycling without.

 

[kimberly1107]

Ugh all I know is this is a lot of work lol...we are doing a water change now! I am just glad I know about all of this for next time, I will def. do a fishless cycle on any new tank I get from now on!

 

[LyndaB]

Once you have a single tank established and healthy, then you just borrow seeded filter media from that and you can literally have another cycled tank in one day.

 

[ADJAFC]

Hi Lynda (again)... just done a water test on our tank changeover, and despite a very slight cloudiness, the ammonia is 0, nitrite is less than 0.1mg and nitrate is within a safe tolerance. We only set it up a few days ago but as mentioned, have used the old filter, 25% of the substrate, and moved live plants and rocks.

Is this ready for the first fish to go in or should I be waiting for something else to happen...

Any help much appreciated!!