water test results/food/water changes

[jlbfish]

No nitrites but we have nitrates?

My tank is in the cycling process it is a 28 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 20 and Aquaclear 50. It has been cycling for 2 weeks. This mornings tests read:
Ph 8
Ammonia .5
Nitrites 0
Nitrates look like they are between 0 and 5.

We have never read nitrites on this tank and the first time the ammonia hit 1 was last night. Do those readings sound right?

Has anyone had any trouble with the aqua clear biomax making their tank cloudy? We have had a cloudy tank and are not sure if it is the cycling or the filter.

Any help is appreciated thanks!
Jana

 

[jlk]

Is this a fishless or fish-in cycle?

 

[jlbfish]

Fish in.

 

[BillD]

The tank could be cloudy as a result of a bacterial bloom, which is not uncommon in a new set up. Because of the relatively high ammonia reading, I would change half of the water.

 

[jlk]

At only 2wks in, you still have a ways to go- fishin cycling can take 6-8wks or possibily even longer. You are just in the first phase right now (amm spike). The cloudiness is most likely a bacterial bloom which is common in newly cycling tanks. Some extra water changes should reduce the cloudiness. Just stay on top of your daily testing & water changes to reduce toxin levels & feed lightly. Adding some cycled media will help to speed things up.

I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?!

 

[jlbfish]

Ok thanks we will continue to stay on top of it. I got some pH down at the store today. Both of our tanks are at an 8 and I read the betta would like a 7 and the neons would like 6.5. Are there any gotchas I need to look out for when putting that in the tank?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[jlk]

Please do not add ph chemicals- you are setting yourself up for inevitable disaster. Fish are capable of adapting to most phs unless they are extreme (above 9 or below 6) and your fish are already adapted to your ph so you dont need to worry!