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Hi guys and gals, Ive just done a Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and PH level test. Was wondering how long it will take to completly settle in and for all toxics to reach 0 ppm?

PH currently reads 7.6.
Nitrite currently reads 0.25ppm
Ammonia currently reads between 2.0 and 4.0ppm
and
Nitrate currently reads at 10ppm

Its a 30 litre tropical tank with only 4 neons in and has been set-up for almost 3 weeks now.

Can you advise or let me know if you need anymore info?

Regards



Last edited by leighton22 at 03-Oct-2004 13:27

It's a bit odd that you have ammonia and nitrates. You might want to check your tap water to see if it has any to start with or if you got the numbers mixed up. Otherwise it looks like the ammonia is just getting converted into nitrites so your ammonia should drop over the next few days. Give the tank a couple weeks depending on how long it gets stuck in nitrites. Also I don't think neons are a good fish to cycle with. Many are poorly bred now and die really easy along with being e to disease.

If you're cycling with fish, it can take as long as eight weeks. Be patient. The fact that you're seeing nitrites and nitrates indicates that it's coming. I completely agree, though, that neons are not the best choice for cycling a tank.

To get rid of Ammonia and nitrates and even nitrites, use Prime. It is a water conditioner. It removes ammonia, nitrates and nitrates and conditions water to neutral pH. It is relatively cheap and can be bought at most LFS's. However, I live in Australia, so I am not sure if they sell it near you. But it works!

Actually to get rid of ammonia and nitrite you need to cycle a tank and have established bacteria colonies. To get rid of nitrates you need water changes or plants use nitrates. The nitrate test can read faulty because of the presence of nitrites. Be patient it can take while.

It was my understanding that Prime doesn't actually remove ammonia and nitrite -- it just binds with it chemically and detoxifies it so it isn't poisonous. I wouldn't recommend relying on chemicals to remove ammonia and nitrite.

Last edited by DoctorJ at 06-Oct-2004 13:16

Yeah... i know that ammolock works a similar way to Prime and ionises the amonnia to ammonium (i think), which doesn't hurt the fish, and the good bacteria can still feed on it. See if you can find New Improved Cycle or some other product that is designed to kick-start the cycle, rether than trying to remove the chemicals or make them non toxic. Also, run an air stone in the tank while your ammonia is high. This with help increased disolved oxygen, which will help the fish breath. Ammonia reduces the effectiveness of the fishes gills, so you might notice them 'gasping' or being a little inactive. Also, a slightly acidic pH(<7) helps with ammonia... but your pH will become more acidic as the cycle begins and fish waste increases.

A reason a few people are suggesting tetra's aren't the best for cycling a new tank is that they don't produce much waste. The bacteria needed to cycle the tank feeds on the fish waste as well as chemicals. So, if you buy a cheap goldfish or something to throw in there with the tetra's, and give it away later to someone with a pond, you'd be much better off. If you don't like the idea of buying fish only to part with the later, get something like new improved cycle to give your cycle a kick start.

don't be suprised if you lose some or all of your neons with an ammonia reading that high!!