Updated Water Test Results

[pwrmacG4]

UPDATE=
new test results this morning
ammonia 0.25
nitrite 2.0
nitrate 5.0

should i still change the water today? it came down from yesterday after the water change. does that mean that the tank is cycling correctly? i also cut back on how much i am feeding them. smaller amount of food twice a day.

 

[Lotus]

Yes, do a water change. Nitrites of 2.0 is fairly deadly.

 

[pwrmacG4]

bumping up

 

[pwrmacG4]

ok.. did a 75 % water change and here are the results
ammonia 0.25 still
nitrite 1.0
nitrate 10

and the black molly died after water change. water was treated with aquasafe and warmed up to tank temp before change. rip bmolly

 

[d3sc3n7]

Ok well, it looks like your nitrites are eating up the ammonia (which is good) and the nitrates are eating up the nitrites (also good) Give it a day, test again...then another possible water change. You should be close to being in the clear.

 

[pwrmacG4]

does that mean that the tank is almost cycled?

 

[d3sc3n7]

I'm not an expert, so please take in others opinions...but, I believe you are getting close.

 

[Lotus]

I wouldn't say you're near the end of the cycle. Nitrites are still rising, which means you're still fairly near the beginning.

Nitrites of 1.0 are still pretty dangerous, and can definitely kill fish. I'd suggest another water change tomorrow.

 

[d3sc3n7]

And this is why I say ask others...I probably got confused on reading your past posts

 

[Lotus]

And a little more info...

Nitrites destroy the hemoglobin in the fishes blood, basically suffocating your fish. The blood becomes much less efficient at carrying oxygen, and as a result, the tissues in the fish slowly die off.

A pinch of salt will help reduce the effects of nitrite poisoning, but water changes are what will really help. You could also add a little ammolock to help.

 

[roark fishies]

I try to keep my A at 0-25 and the nitrites at .5 or under. While that is still more than you want, at this point is necessary for the cycling. Just keep up with the water changes to keep your levels as said above. Keep nitrates under 20.

 

[roark fishies]

Remember, LOTS and LOTS of water changes with fish in cycling!

 

[pwrmacG4]

i will just have to keep up with the water changes is all. hopefully only a few more weeks of it! thanks for the help everyone

 

[pwrmacG4]

another update..
ammonia 0.00000 sweet!
nitrite 1.0
nitrate 5.o

how is that now.. much better i think

 

[alter40]

Its better. Hopefully your nitrite will go to 0 soon then you should be all set.

 

[pwrmacG4]

i hope so too.. i have a penguin bio wheel filter running.. so it shouldn't be too much longer

 

[roark fishies]

Looking great! How long u been cycling now?

 

[pwrmacG4]

16 days with fish. is that good?

 

[pwrmacG4]

the readings were the same today. i will keep posting the new readings daily.

 

[roark fishies]

16 days with fish. is that good?

Well, I've read it can take anywhere from 2-8 wks to cycle a tank. My ammonia didn't go down to 0 until wk 5. So, yeah, I'd say you're looking pretty good.