Water Quality

[mikeyerushalmi]

My ten gallon freshwater tank is in the third week of its cycle and these are my results. I have been using a beneficial bacteria enhancer every day for about two weeks and it's really sped up the process. I finally am getting results after testing. Looking for suggestions on how to lower nitrites and nitrates without throwing my cycle off. I currently have two Red Dalmatian Mollies, one Black Molly, two Iridescent Blue Mollies, two Sunburst Plates and one Lolli Cory Catfish. See the pictures below.

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[TMaier]

I think you need to do a PWC. Your bacteria are not there yet to handle the ammonia to nitrite conversion.

 

[mikeyerushalmi]

I have been doing 25% a week. Do you suggest I do more? I don't want to disturb the bacteria that is already growing by taking too much, too often.

Fishy Business ?

 

[Caliban07]

I have been doing 25% a week. Do you suggest I do more? I don't want to disturb the bacteria that is already growing by taking too much, too often.

Fishy Business ?

You won't. Also the bacteria in the bottle has probably done little to speed up the cycle. It would seem that you are on course for a regular cycle. Unfortunately, bottled bacteria is one of the many 'scam' products that are simply used to exploit new fish keepers in their quest to cycle the tank.

I don't think you 'need' to do a water change but it wouldn't hurt at this point. The nitrite phase lasts the longest and you should expect this to last up to another two weeks.


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[mikeyerushalmi]

Okay. Yesterday I did a 25% water change after I tested the water. I will test again this evening.

Fishy Business ?

 

[TMaier]

Educate me please. If my nitrites were that high I would totally freak out. At what point is it too high and. PWC is needed?

 

[Caliban07]

Educate me please. If my nitrites were that high I would totally freak out. At what point is it too high and. PWC is needed?

Sorry totally thought this was a fishless cycle.

Op yes you need to do a water change.


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[Caliban07]

My ten gallon freshwater tank is in the third week of its cycle and these are my results. I have been using a beneficial bacteria enhancer every day for about two weeks and it's really sped up the process. I finally am getting results after testing. Looking for suggestions on how to lower nitrites and nitrates without throwing my cycle off. I currently have two Red Dalmatian Mollies, one Black Molly, two Iridescent Blue Mollies, two Sunburst Plates and one Lolli Cory Catfish. See the pictures below.

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How are the fish acting out of curiosity. Any form of poisoning from those parameters would cause gasping at the surface of the water.

I also believe that this tank is too small to home those numbers and those type of fish


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[mikeyerushalmi]

I did a 25% water change yesterday and levels are still high.

Fishy Business ?

 

[TMaier]

Too many fish and not enough good bacteria to handle it.

 

[mikeyerushalmi]

I just put the fish in yesterday. Ugh...

Fishy Business ?

 

[TMaier]

Just keep doing daily changes up to 50%.

 

[mikeyerushalmi]

Guy at my LFS, who I have been working with the last few weeks and has given me great advice, suggests I stick to a once a week 25-30% water change. Also had me buy a Nitra-Zorb bag for the tank. Opinions?

Fishy Business ?

 

[TMaier]

Is he willing to give you more fish for free if he's wrong and they die?

 

[mikeyerushalmi]

30 day guarantee with the fish so yeah? I hope they don't though. That would suck.

Fishy Business ?