Tom Sawyer
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2020
- Messages
- 7
I thought I had cycled my 10 gallon planted aquarium when I tested it after 3 weeks of cycling (I used an ammonia source and api's bacteria solution). I had readings of 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and under 5.0 ppm nitrate, but I guess I rushed it too quickly because the ammonia levels spiked when I added a honey gourami. The ammonia levels jumped from 0 to 0.25 ppm - 1.0 ppm. I am going to assume I didn't successfully and properly cycle the aquarium.
What would be the proper steps to cycle the aquarium and not make the fish suffer? I have been doing daily 50% water changes to dilute the present ammonia. I have tested my tap water for any contaminants and it's all 0 ppms nitrite, ammonia, and nitrate. I treat the water with seachem prime and let the water sit over night.
-Should I pull him out and set him up in 5 gallon buckets that have been treated with seachem prime until the aquarium has been properly established? (I have roughly six 5 gallon buckets to use.)
-Should I stress the fish and try to do a fish in cycle? (I read these are possible, but not suggested as it will really stress and possibly kill the fish)
What should I do? (I already asked if I could return the fish, but they declined.)
What would be the proper steps to cycle the aquarium and not make the fish suffer? I have been doing daily 50% water changes to dilute the present ammonia. I have tested my tap water for any contaminants and it's all 0 ppms nitrite, ammonia, and nitrate. I treat the water with seachem prime and let the water sit over night.
-Should I pull him out and set him up in 5 gallon buckets that have been treated with seachem prime until the aquarium has been properly established? (I have roughly six 5 gallon buckets to use.)
-Should I stress the fish and try to do a fish in cycle? (I read these are possible, but not suggested as it will really stress and possibly kill the fish)
What should I do? (I already asked if I could return the fish, but they declined.)