ADW76
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Ok, I'm confused and need someone to help me interpret what the heck is going on with my tank. Here's the scenario.
I added 6 fish to my new 29-gallon aquarium, to start a cycle with fish.
I have a 180GPH power filter with bio-filter & carbon, a 200W heater and a bubble bar for aeration.
Everything was progressing fine, slowly, but fine... Then Day 22, here's what happened...
22: Ammonia - 0.3 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5 (10% water change)
23: Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5
24: Ammonia - 0.1 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5 (10% water change)
Day 25 & 26 were just about identical to to 24, but Nitrite was 0.25
On Day 27, a fish is dead, another appears to have Ick. Turned the heat up gradually 2 more degrees to 81, and added Aquarium Salt to kill the ick (1 TBSP / 5 gallons). Did a 25% water change too. Removed the carbon filter.
Day 28, the infected fish dies. All other fish appear normal, no spots. Test results are: Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrite - 0 ; Nitrate - 5
Day 30 & 31 I had a tiny ammonia spike (0.25), but with only two 10% water changes results are back to 0,0 & 6 for Nitrate on Day 32.
Did the salt kill my cycle, but how did the ammonia go down to 0 with just a 20% water change over days??
And around Day 24, how did my Nitrites drop so fast without any more Nitrate?? I've done 10% water changes scattered thoughout those days, but it wouldn't remove enough to drop the numbers by that much would it? I'm so confused.... Salt is still in the tank to make sure the ick is gone. Anyone have any idea what's happening, or is my tank possesed by leprechans?
I added 6 fish to my new 29-gallon aquarium, to start a cycle with fish.
I have a 180GPH power filter with bio-filter & carbon, a 200W heater and a bubble bar for aeration.
Everything was progressing fine, slowly, but fine... Then Day 22, here's what happened...
22: Ammonia - 0.3 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5 (10% water change)
23: Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5
24: Ammonia - 0.1 ; Nitrite - 0.5 ; Nitrate - 5 (10% water change)
Day 25 & 26 were just about identical to to 24, but Nitrite was 0.25
On Day 27, a fish is dead, another appears to have Ick. Turned the heat up gradually 2 more degrees to 81, and added Aquarium Salt to kill the ick (1 TBSP / 5 gallons). Did a 25% water change too. Removed the carbon filter.
Day 28, the infected fish dies. All other fish appear normal, no spots. Test results are: Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrite - 0 ; Nitrate - 5
Day 30 & 31 I had a tiny ammonia spike (0.25), but with only two 10% water changes results are back to 0,0 & 6 for Nitrate on Day 32.
Did the salt kill my cycle, but how did the ammonia go down to 0 with just a 20% water change over days??
And around Day 24, how did my Nitrites drop so fast without any more Nitrate?? I've done 10% water changes scattered thoughout those days, but it wouldn't remove enough to drop the numbers by that much would it? I'm so confused.... Salt is still in the tank to make sure the ick is gone. Anyone have any idea what's happening, or is my tank possesed by leprechans?