Panicked during cycling

[cbryll]

Ok so I am on week 5 of fish cycling a 'tiny' 16 gallon tank - and after 3.5 weeks of ammonia over 1 one zebra danio (of the four) was found dead and floating. So now I'm panicked.

I knew they were victim fishes going in but I'm really wondering why my ammonia is high for so long?

I don't have a nitrite tester yet, just ordered one yesterday.

1)ph just about 7.8-8.0 (no idea because tap is 7.0 and it's just gravel and petco decor)

2)Ammonia 1-1.5 for just about 4 weeks

3) I do zero water changes (was told by a friend to not do a change until cycle completes)

4) I use water from an established 75gallon for evaporation lose (this water has nitrate obviously - so I can't 100% trust my nitrate test as it might be due to the tap off water i'm using) - regardless it is low .5

5) 2 weeks ago I moved a plastic plant from the 75 into this , hoping there might be some bio-media on it

6) temp is about 78 per the thermometer

The water is crystal clear and the other fish are active and eat fine.

But my patience has ended on where the heck the nitrifiying bacteria may be.

Could it be my ph is to high?

or does it sound fine and I need to relax for 2-3 more weeks - yikes?

[rickl]

What sort of filtration do you have on your 75? How about on this tank? I'd move a portion of your filter media over, and get a AP freshwater master test kit ($23.75 on amazon, super-saver shipping eligible). Get a baseline ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I'd also stop using water from the 75, and just dechlor fresh water for your evap top-offs. Report back here with your test results and we can give better guidance, but for the most part -- patience is key.

Honestly once you have a test kit, I'd find a new home for the remaing 3 danios and go fishless. I believe the ammonia from star market was what I ended up with (Dollar General only had yellow stuff, Wal-Mart stuff sudsed when you shook it, and i don't remember why i didn't get publix ammonia). I've got a bottle of ammonium chloride from DrTim somewhere. I'd loan it to you for a fishless cycle but sadly I can't find it .

As far as water change or not -- if the ammonia and nitrite are both below 5ppm, i wouldn't water change. if either exceeds 5ppm, i'd water change.

-Rick (the armchair aquarist, who notes that this is one man's opinion, and your mileage may indeed vary)

[crazydaz]

I think that you are fine, and you had one bad danio. All you are doing for cycling is trying to establish your nitrifying bacteria; changing water is pretty important to keep ammonia low so it doesn't kill your fish. Changing water isn't going to impact whether your bacteria are establishing or not...it's done to keep your fish alive.

I think you can chill and relax. I would try adding a few more cheap danio to see where you are at; if they are fine in a week, then you should be fine!

[cbryll]

there are two danios in there now (one died, and one I was able to net and move to a 10gal in my panic).

I have nitrate,high ph (and low ph), and ammonia test kits - should get the nitrite kit very soon as it shipped already.

This 16 gallon tank only has a whisper 10 (brand new). Last night I stole a small rock from the 75 gallon tank and put in this tank (hoping there is some nitrifiying bacteria on it that will multiple).

The 75 gallon have two canister - with the normal ceramic big pellet thingys. I'm thinking about stealing some established ceramic pellets and sticking into the bottom of the whister filter. I couldn't fit even a 'small' hob filter on the 75 gallon tank to run because I set up the tank to close to the wall (dang it). But I possible could throw a biobag filter media in the Fluval for awhile to see if I can get the nitrifying bacteria to attach to it and then put that media in the Whisper in the 16 gallon.

I read alot of the first bacteria and how slow is doubles (and how the second bacteria is even slower) ... but I would have thought that after 5.5 weeks I'd have something.

so my thoughts are something is preventing the bacteria from properly dividing and thriving.

[jon carman]

Unless you are doing this as an experiment, take all water out of your 10 & put water from 75 in it. Put media, substrate, rocks, etc. in new tank. One rock wont be enough. If you have an established tank, unless you go from a 20 gallon to a 125gallon, you should never have to cycle a tank again.

[cbryll]

It is turning into an experiment let me tell you ... I had the 16 gallon first with no established system so the intention was to do 'my time' 4-8 weeks of 'fish tank cycling'. Just getting impatient now that it will be 6 weeks tomorrow with no drop in ammonia. These little nitrosomanas just can't seem to kick into colonizing - bastards (LOL).

ammonia just holds steady at 1ppm.

So I have to clean my Ehiem this weekend anyway so I'll throw some of the stuff in the 16 gallon and give it another week. The 75 gallon has crushed coral and not much of it so can't spare to move it. And the rocks are huge for the Mbuna hiding places - smaller rocks needed for the fry that I can't net out of there without taking every thing out. Nothings that easy .... *smile*

[cbryll]

FYI on the update of the cycling ... it finally finished

I got pretty busy these last few weeks and did nothing to this tank expect continue to feed the two danios. Well FINALLY at exactly 8 weeks the tank finshed cycling amonia/nitrate both zero ... now I can finally do a 50% water change and move on