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I'm a newbie who started a tank about 2 weeks ago. I have 4 tiger barbs in right now (I know, I know. I'm working up to 6). Decided to have my water tested at my lfs today. Ammonia and nitrite levels were both too high (don't know the exact numbers). ph was fine. The lfs employee said that because of this I should do a 50% water change. I wondered if that drastic a change was wise, but did it anyway. I also added some NIC and some gravel from an established tank. Now my water looks a little white cloudy. Do you think this is a sign that it's actually starting to cycle? I'll get my water tested again in a couple of days.

[span class="edited"][Edited by apologeticus 2004-09-04 21:44][/span]

Yes, your tank is cycling. The ammonia and nitrite levels are going to be high for a little while, then your nitrate level will go up, then back down. I wouldn't add any more fish while the tank was cycling, you might overload it.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Yeah, usually when your cycling your tank you add fish that you don't plan to keep....or use no fish at all. It seems that you should be fine though, get your water tested in a day or two, then if the cycle is complete...wait a week before adding more fish.

They cloudyness that you see is the bacteria starting to form to consume the ammonia. Doing a water change now is possible, but it will make the cycle take longer which will stress the fish. Unless the fish are showing alot of stress, I'd hold off on the WC. Adding biospira or cycle as well as adding an airstone can help reduce stress.

I'd suggest getting you're own test kits. Once your ammonia and nitrIte are zero and nitrAte is present you can continue increasing the stock slowly, adding a few fish a week to allow time for the biofilter to catch up to the new load.

^_^

"Yes, your tank is cycling. The ammonia and nitrite levels are going to be high for a little while, then your nitrate level will go up, then back down. I wouldn't add any more fish while the tank was cycling, you might overload it."

Eh, you mean ammonia and nitrite will go back down, don't you?


[span class="edited"][Edited by Silverlight 2004-09-05 08:12][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by Silverlight 2004-09-05 08:53][/span]

Doing a water change now is possible, but it will make the cycle take longer which will stress the fish. Unless the fish are showing alot of stress, I'd hold off on the WC.

what about if the water is smelly? I've read that this always means that a water change is in order

[span class="edited"][Edited by apologeticus 2004-09-05 09:48][/span]

Smell is not a way to judge water changes...not now that we have test kits and know more about the nature of aquariums. I still urge against doing a water change. Depending on what the smell is you can run carbon (almost always takes care of smell) add an airstone, or simply wait for the cycle to finish.

^_^