[HELP] Weird tank parameters after ~2weeks into fishless cycling

[kotaaro]

Hi bros, am new here btw.

Just some info, i'm currently using a 2 ft tank, 83litres or about 20 gallons with OHF and a dolphin pump, just a very normal n simple set-up i got from my in-law

i started with some fishes initially to cycle my new tank, but after they died, i just left my tank as it is. I had also added this "general aid" solution which makes the whole tank turns pale green after adding, i addded this becos of very severe finrot of the fishes.

Have added in some BB almost daily (should i stop..?) and here's my readings after ~2 weeks:

Ammonia: 0.5
nitrite: 5
Nitrate: 10

What is wrong here...? Does the general aid solution have anything to do with my weird readings...? I did a WC change recently and the color of my water is not as green as before.

Have been testing the parameters and cant seem to bring down ammonia and nitrite...but funny thing is there is nitrate!

I have some normal substrate, a piece of driftwood and two plastic plants.

EDIT: JUST TO ADD, i have been adding ammonium bicarbonate since e day i went fishless (2-3 days already), and adding it till my ammonia level is around 4ppm, but the funny thing is it never went down to zero before...does this means that my BB are not matured yet...?

Pls do help i really do wanna get my puffers in asap

thanks!!

[eviltrain]

whats inside the OHF?

[kotaaro]

erm im fairly new to this so pardon me if im not using ther correct terms.

inside the OHF i have this blue fliter sponge, with these rough/coarse gravels with a hole in the middle, and 5 pieces of these "balls" with contours which is used to trap more BB i suppose?

Btw im using API Freshwater Master Test Kit to test my water parameters.

Thanks for the prompt reply bro. really appreciate it.

[eviltrain]

stop adding things into the tank and let it cycle on itself.

good luck

[kotaaro]

really..? So im on the right track..?! So i just let e tank run for a few more days?

btw how often should i perform a test in the water parameters? 1 week once? 3 days once?

[wongce]

Bro,did you add in anti chlorine?or any water conditioner? did you age the water prior adding into aquarium?

Chlorine in tap water alone will cause death.

[kotaaro]

hi wongce, yes i have alwaz added anto-chlorine to my water prior to WC. Yes i age my water as well.

Thing is, im using this $1 Ocean Free Anti-chlorine and i don't think it is doing it job properly...

Been reading up and realised that ppl have been recommending SeaChem Prime?

Is that expensive btw?

[wongce]

From my experience, OF is ok,Seachem prime works ok too, price about 10+ times of common OF anti chlorine with some perks like less amount used,stated converting ammonia to less toxic substance..

I got both, but as last time OF out of stock in my neighbourhood lfs.

There is no need to put in general aid if there is nothing wrong.

What is your substrate?? A picture will really help a lot for the seniors here to help you out...

[kotaaro]

thanks for the info

my substrates are just normal stones/rocks/pebbles that i got from my in-law.

a bunch of those, if worth mentioning, are actually "coloured" small white stones that have faded colorings, wonder if my puffers go bite on those would anything happen to them...?

[wongce]

Bro,did u wash the pebbles properly?maybe there is some poisonous residue??i think u better soak the pebbles/everything that is second hand in hot water. Then flush with cold water for few times but Do not put plastic or anything that will melt in hot water.. Some even resort to disinfect stuff with low amount of bleech just in case...

I used to have those coloured pebbles too,a bit of headache as their coloured skin tends to peel off after sometime...its better to use real sand or glass marbles/pebbles which are inert. Just my opinion though...

[stormhawk]

If the colored pebbles are coated in a lead-based paint, your puffers may die from poisoning. In puffer tanks you don't need a lot of gravel. The use of coral sand or something similar is more than enough. Remove the colored stuff and only keep the natural stuff in the tank.

Do not use the General Aid any more. If it stains your water green it probably contains malachite green, which is capable of staining the silicone joints a pale green color. Since you have no fish in the tank, adding any sort of medication defeats the purpose. Like what Alan says, let it cycle on its own. It will reach the full cycle soon enough. You don't have to test the water every day. Once a week will do.

[kotaaro]

sorry for this late reply.

hmm ok i shall remove the coloured stones then.

The general aid was added while my fishes were still alive, but since they aren't now i just let it be. But i have made a 50% WC after they died to bring down the concentration of the general aid.

Right now my tank has this light hue of green, the general aid is also from Ocean Free, the bottle states 2 capful but i only did 1 because of the colour..would that affect my cycling..?

I juz did a check on my water paramaters ytd nite:

Ammonia: 1-2 ppm

Nitrite: 5ppm

Nitrate: 10-20ppm

Ammonia dropped back to 1-2ppm as i have added ammonium bicarb the previous night to about 4ppm.

I will be adding ammonium bicarb everyday i suppose until my nitrite level drops?

Thing is, my nitrite level has ALWAZ been this high...am i doing anything wrong...? Or should i just wait patiently...?

[kotaaro]

just to add, i have only a thin layer of substrate for my puffer, only about 1cm at most, all are stones, would it be better if they were sand instead? Or is this fine? I'm only laying a thin layer of the stones i have now to cover as much area as possible.

Thing is, if im considering sand in the future, how do i add them in....? During WC?

Do let me know whether my current substrate is fine, if it is i will juz leave it as it is. And also to my qns above this post.

Thanks alot!!

[avex30]

bro you still don't get it you can stop adding the bicarbonate already just let the tank contiune to cycle. Are you going to load your tank with 10-20 pc of puffer? if not just let the tank cycle with the current BB it will eventually reach the point of zero. By doing that adding of the bicarbonate you are not helping to build BB but merely restarting your cycling.......

Like mod Stormhawk say better remove those stones or pebbles or whatever. Just lay some coral sands or gravel will do. Also do remove those plastic plants

[kotaaro]

ahhh thnx for the reply! no i'm only going for ard 2-3 puffers max. i tot i have to add bicarb every now n then...

Ok thanks, i will remove my plastic plants and the coloured stones. Do i also need to remove the DW i have in the tank right now?

[VSGenesis]

LOL! No need to add anything. Just wait. Good move in removing the stones.

Anyway, your reading of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings; except for nitrite looks okay I think. Trying to achieve 0? Reminds me of my 2nd week test. Ammonia was okay, nitrite spiked, nitrate below 10ppm Nitrate is good for your plants actually. My last test on my tank reading was 0.25 - 0.5 for ammonia and nitrite. 10-20 for nitrate. It's all good.

PS: Becareful of the sms lingo. Some Moderators here bites or they let lose their Demon Hunters on you. LOL.

[kotaaro]

ahh ok i will take note of that lingo thanks!

Yes im trying to achieve zero on both ammonia and nitrite (but i'm having a hard time doing that!!! )

btw just to add, i removed most of the coloured stones and my plastic plants n DW ytd, so tank is now empty with only the natural stones in it.

Thing is, i notice my tank water is now a little brownish and greenish, but i don't see any algae or whatsoever.

Is my tank okay...? I have not tested the parameters yet, going to wait till this week. Can i still carry on the cycling with this water condition?

[tetrakid]

I agree with this. It is very common for beginners to be eager to buy a lot of chemicals at the beginnning of their hobby. I think that is the biggest mistake. Chemicals are only good when one is reasonably experienced or already advanced. If it is just starting off in the hobby, it is best to avoid any chemicals, though the tempation is high when one sees the glorious array of chemicals on the shelves.

stop adding things into the tank and let it cycle on itself.

good luck

[dc88]

Do you have plant in the tank ?
Some surface floating plant or just dump in some cheap stem plants in the water and with the light on will help, and let nature take its course.
And the plant is cheaper than the chemical : )

[kotaaro]

i do not have live plants in it. Only two plastic plants which i took them out ytd, hoping for a more successful cycling process.

Btw, if i were to get life plants (they seriously look much nicer than the plastic ones), which one should i go for?

Juz to add, i will be converting my FW to low end BW for my puffers.

Do le advise. thanks!

Wow tis forum is great! i'm actually getting lotsa response compared to others!!