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First of all I have never cycled a tank.I have always bought a tank and let it run for a few days,threw fish in and never had problems.2 1/2 weeks ago I bought a 29 gal and decided to cycle it.I let it run for a few days and then added 2 adult platy's.It's been goig for almost 2 weeks with the fish and my ammonia is 8.0 and it wont drop.I used about 2 pounds of gravel out of another tank hoping to speed up the bacteria proccess,but it hasn't helped.I am going to buy a bottle of something to add to the water to try to help.Am I doing this cycle thing right?

I forgot to mention that I am going to pick up a couple of live plants to try and help out.The platy's seem to be doing fine.I just need to know what to do now.

In today's world with the advent of the bacteria starters, the good bacteria that consume ammonia as a food source can now be added to the tank...

Purchase a bottle of the "New Improved Cycle" and follow directions. If ever there was an easy way out, this is it.

I wouldn't be without it when I restart my tanks.

--garyroland.

In addition to Gary's suggestion, I would like to point out that you may possibly be seeing a false positve ammonia reading. I don't really think two adult platy's would drive it up that high that fast.

Are you using something like Amquel or Ammo-Lock? Even some "conditioners" will do the same. Look on the bottle to see what it says regarding ammonia.

These products can give false-positive readings that high even in water straight from the tap. Do your fish seem to be behaving strangely or out of the ordinary, at all? If not, then it could be false positive, but I would definitely followup with a bacterial starter, like NIC.

If you are using one of the above for water changes, consider switching to something that does not claim to "remove" or "neutralize" ammonia. Get something that simply removes chlorine and chloramine.

I also got a high false-positive using Bio-Safe, to my surprise. I was storing jugs of water for betta change water and got 7-8 ammonia readings in the tank. When it wouldn't go down with 100% water changes and bettas was looking at me like I was nuts, I checked the water in the bottle and it was through the roof. Go figure. I switched brands and it never happened again.

Live plants are ok, but I would try hornwort first. By all means, soak it in a solution of 2 Tbsp of kitchen Alum (find it in the spice section) to a gallon of dechlorinated, room temp water and soak it overnight. This will kill snails and dissolve snail eggs, along with other hitch-hikers. Rinse well many times then drop it into a lighted corner of your tank. Inspect first for algae before you buy. If you see alot of hairy strands, don't buy it.

If you get a second clump and can just let each piece free-float in a quiet corner, any fry the platy have will have a haven.


Last edited by Cory_Di at 05-Nov-2004 14:09

Last edited by Cory_Di at 05-Nov-2004 14:09

Actually I haven't put anything chemical wise into the tank.Right now I have an extrmemly overstocked 10 gal {holding fish for 29 gal} and the ammonia level in there is very low.I just dont get why the 29 gal has such a high reading with 2 fish when the 10 gal with like 14 fish has a low reading.
With the plant situation only thing that I have seen is banana plants,water sprite,and java fern.I was thinking of java fern.My 10 has water sprite and did quite well until the platy's ate most of it.It's growing back now that the platy's are in the 29 gal.

Do you use anything for removing chlorine and chloramine from your tap, or are you using some water source other than tap (i.e., well water)?

Well I do use aqua-safe but I use that in my 10 gal as well and the readings are normal in there.I also use aquarium salt,but again i use that in both tanks.

ok I bought a bottle of "cycle" and I am going to run 2 penguin 170 filters.I decided not to go with live plants due to all the current that is going to be at the top of the tank.Thanks to everyone who helped!

Hi
I just recently set up another tank and used "new improved cycle". While cycling all levels of ammonia and nitrite remained at safe levels and after about a week the tank had cycled. It's great stuff!