ADJAFC
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi there, I'm new to the forum but really need some helpful, clear advice! I've been reading through the existing posts on here and on other sites, plus talking to a couple of aquatic centres who 'seem' genuinely knowledgeable.
We have a new tank which has been running about 10 days and were really hopeful that we could have added a few fish by now to help with the 'cycle', however when we took at a water sample to the aquatic centre, the chap told us that our levels were not quite ideal, at this point they were
Ammonia - 0 mg/ltr
Nitrite - 0.3-0.8
Nitrate - 30-50ppm
He suggested a 50% water change, and test it again with our new liquid test kit 2 days later, which we did. However now our levels are as follow:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 1.5-2
Nitrate - over 50ppm
The tank is running at 24 degrees, has 4 live plants in it and no fish, it is perfectly clear and all we have added is Aqua Safe to get rid of the chlorine.
Can someone please give us a blow by blow account of what we can do, as the chap at the aquatic's place suggested more 50% water changes to bring the levels down but thats really not helped, plus some sites have said that large water changes actually increase the cycle time.
In addition, we've heard of suggestions of either getting a few hardy fish to help the cycle, to adding a piece of fresh fish to the tank to help with the bacteria growth. I have no access to an old filter, although thats been another suggestion.
HELP!!!
Thanks in advance!
We have a new tank which has been running about 10 days and were really hopeful that we could have added a few fish by now to help with the 'cycle', however when we took at a water sample to the aquatic centre, the chap told us that our levels were not quite ideal, at this point they were
Ammonia - 0 mg/ltr
Nitrite - 0.3-0.8
Nitrate - 30-50ppm
He suggested a 50% water change, and test it again with our new liquid test kit 2 days later, which we did. However now our levels are as follow:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 1.5-2
Nitrate - over 50ppm
The tank is running at 24 degrees, has 4 live plants in it and no fish, it is perfectly clear and all we have added is Aqua Safe to get rid of the chlorine.
Can someone please give us a blow by blow account of what we can do, as the chap at the aquatic's place suggested more 50% water changes to bring the levels down but thats really not helped, plus some sites have said that large water changes actually increase the cycle time.
In addition, we've heard of suggestions of either getting a few hardy fish to help the cycle, to adding a piece of fresh fish to the tank to help with the bacteria growth. I have no access to an old filter, although thats been another suggestion.
HELP!!!
Thanks in advance!