Hmmmm....when I set up my 10 gal QT tank about a week ago, I put a blue gourami in there and then squeezed the pads from my 38 into the 10 gal filter. 2 days later, I was reading 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10 nitrate! Yay! I thought I was done.
3 days later, I checked again, and got what I felt was a strange result! Ammonia = .25 ppm, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate =10. I thought I had cycled already with nitrates showing up, but the ammonia is coming up now! By the way, I followed the instructions for setting up a QT/Hospital tank, 1 decoration, 1 fake plant, no gravel.
I have been doing daily 30-35% water changes for the last 3 days to make sure the ammonia doesn't get completely out of control, but last night again, the readings were identical to the one above. The gourami doesn't appear stressed, in fact, his colors are getting incredibly bright and wonderful! Last night, I used a plastic (clean) scoop to scoop some gravel out of my main tank and then sat it in the bottom of my 10 gal QT hoping to bring some more beneficial bacteria over.
Are there any ideas on how to speed this process on a bit more. Why was I reading no ammonia and some nitrates, and now the ammonia is coming back up with no added fish? Is 30-35% good for water change? I chose that number because I siphon out just to where the water level reaches the filter intake.
Also, how important is it that water temps for new water are identical? I always do a touch test to see if the new water is the same temp as the tank water, and it is never exactly the same, although it is close. Will this be stressful for him? If so, how can I make the water the same temp?
I appreciate any help very much! Thanks!
Paul
PS - What is the deal with these kudos? What are they?
3 days later, I checked again, and got what I felt was a strange result! Ammonia = .25 ppm, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate =10. I thought I had cycled already with nitrates showing up, but the ammonia is coming up now! By the way, I followed the instructions for setting up a QT/Hospital tank, 1 decoration, 1 fake plant, no gravel.
I have been doing daily 30-35% water changes for the last 3 days to make sure the ammonia doesn't get completely out of control, but last night again, the readings were identical to the one above. The gourami doesn't appear stressed, in fact, his colors are getting incredibly bright and wonderful! Last night, I used a plastic (clean) scoop to scoop some gravel out of my main tank and then sat it in the bottom of my 10 gal QT hoping to bring some more beneficial bacteria over.
Are there any ideas on how to speed this process on a bit more. Why was I reading no ammonia and some nitrates, and now the ammonia is coming back up with no added fish? Is 30-35% good for water change? I chose that number because I siphon out just to where the water level reaches the filter intake.
Also, how important is it that water temps for new water are identical? I always do a touch test to see if the new water is the same temp as the tank water, and it is never exactly the same, although it is close. Will this be stressful for him? If so, how can I make the water the same temp?
I appreciate any help very much! Thanks!
Paul
PS - What is the deal with these kudos? What are they?