Newbie in need of help! New tank, need advice

[Brookster123]

Been doing a 50% water change every day anyway. Will do another now and put extra water conditioner in. Hopefully it helps :/

Even if your ammonia is slightly elevated it will stress the lil gupsters, I lost a couple in my first cycle throw some fresh water in there for them, if your conditioner binds ammonia than they should respond..

 

[Bcusick]

Will do

 

[Brookster123]

I def had a few days where I would do 2-3 wc's to knock down levels, I would just guilt myself into filling up the buckets again..

 

[Bcusick]

Oh dear lol.

 

[Brookster123]

Merry Xmas, how's the tank?

 

[Bcusick]

Merry Christmas to you too!

The tank is doing fine!

 

[Bcusick]

Still no nitrites showing. Ammonia still basically just above 0

 

[Brookster123]

Good good! So you have not seen any nitrites yet? I'm about to do a speed cycle myself, switching from a 10 to a 20gal, I'm hoping I can do it in 2-3 days

 

[Bcusick]

Should I start to decrease the amount of water I'm changing yet or keep waiting?

 

[Brookster123]

Have you seen trites yet?

 

[Bcusick]

Should I start to decrease the amount of water I'm changing yet or keep waiting?

 

[Bcusick]

No. Not yet. Doesn't seem to be anything happening to be honest

 

[Brookster123]

No. Not yet. Doesn't seem to be anything happening to be honest

Patience is key, cycling can take up to 2 months on a tank your size, you have to keep up with the wc's to keep the ammo at tolerable levels for your fish, elevated levels can result in long term gill damage.

 

[Bcusick]

It's been about a month and half now I think. So should be soon

 

[Brookster123]

So what are your readings accross the board?

 

[Bcusick]

Ph - 7.2
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0

 

[Bcusick]

Been doing a 30% / 40% ever day for god knows how long now. Still no nitrites. Still no signs of this cycle and if I leave it even a few hours over 24 hours before doing the water change all the fish start sitting on the bottom. Really starting to make me think something is wrong here. I have done a 40% (ish) water change for more than 2 months

I know you guys said cycling can sometimes take upto 3 months. But surely I should be seeing something by now. It feels like this tank is never gonna cycle and I'm gonna be doing daily water changes forever

Am i being impatient or should I be seeing 'some' action by now. Some nitrites or something?

 

[Brookster123]

As of now what is total number of fish in the tank? Have you changed your filter media/pads at all?what are your latest test results?

 

[Bcusick]

There are 11 small fish
I haven't changed the filters but I have cleaned then in tank water
Test results are the same as the other day

 

[Nimo]

The bad Ph drop before Christmas has probly stalled things a little. Just keep up what you are doing.