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Post by seanadg on Nov 28, 2005 10:17:52 GMT -5
Hi, Another question about cycling - sorry! I have a 5 gal Eclipse Hex, had the (1) fish in there 'bout 2 weeks. Started to see ammonia increase last few days (finally!). I didn't have change water prepared (ack! lesson learned) so I added Amquel two days ago. Yesterday day, ammonia between .25 & .50 (using salycilate test, I believe, 2 liquid reagents), I did a 30-40% water change and ammonia down to about 0. Today ammonia climbing back up, between 0 & .25. I am thinking I should do another water change? But I know that water changes slow the cycling process. So my question is - what's the right balance between increasing ammonia, giving the bacteria a chance to establish themselves in the proper amount, and safety for my fish? How often should I do water changes and how much?
This is all a vote for fishless cycling, in my mind, I have to say!
THANKS!
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Post by amanichen on Nov 29, 2005 11:21:51 GMT -5
How many fish total are going into this tank?
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Post by seanadg on Nov 29, 2005 20:23:03 GMT -5
Just the one.
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Post by amanichen on Nov 29, 2005 20:27:17 GMT -5
Don't let the ammonia get higher than .50, and the nitrite higher than 1.0. Do enough water changes to make this happen =)
Since only one fish is going in there, you won't need tons of bacteria, which means you don't need a super-high ammonia level during the cycling process.
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Post by seanadg on Nov 30, 2005 0:41:02 GMT -5
Thanks. Just to clarify, the fish is already in the tank (I know, I know, fishless cycling. If I had known sooner....). Are those levels too high for him?
I see what you mean about the ammonia levels and bacteria, good point.
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Post by amanichen on Nov 30, 2005 1:26:02 GMT -5
Thanks. Just to clarify, the fish is already in the tank (I know, I know, fishless cycling. If I had known sooner....). Are those levels too high for him? I see what you mean about the ammonia levels and bacteria, good point. They're certainly not benefical for your betta, but they also won't kill it outright. The more water changes you do, the less risk there is for the fish. 0.25ppm for ammonia and 1.0ppm for nitrite are sitting on a gray area for most freshwater fish. Some are fine with it for a few days, while others don't take well to it at all after a few hours |
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