did my cycle stall?

[goldenpo]

My tank have been cycle 6 weeks already. My Ph is at 8, ammonia is 0.2, nitrite is between 4-5ppm, and nitrate is 75ppm. It has been stay at these reading for almost 2.5 weeks. did my cycle stall?

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you're cycled, and ready to start to slowly add your first livestock. If you're using an API or similar test for ammonia, they are known to show a low level of ammonia where there is none. With all that nitrate, I would do a water change, and start to add your livestock.

You can bring a sample of water to your LFS to confirm too.

 

[KrisReef]

Yes, your test kits are not working properly.

If you added bacteria and ammonia 6 weeks ago you should do a water change to lower nitrate and add fish slowly going forward to reduce the likelihood of disease in a young tank.

Feed your fish lightly with live fresh seafood for best results.

 

[goldenpo]

Yes, your test kits are not working properly.

If you added bacteria and ammonia 6 weeks ago you should do a water change to lower nitrate and add fish slowly going forward to reduce the likelihood of disease in a young tank.

Feed your fish lightly with live fresh seafood for best results.

i have done a 25% water change about 10 days ago, but nothing change. one of the local guy i talked to, he told me to add 1 or 2 fishes, and it will speed up the process. i just want to make sure that it is fine to add a fish, since i dont want him to die

 

[goldenpo]

I think you're cycled, and ready to start to slowly add your first livestock. If you're using an API or similar test for ammonia, they are known to show a low level of ammonia where there is none. With all that nitrate, I would do a water change, and start to add your livestock.

You can bring a sample of water to your LFS to confirm too.

should i do a 50% water change or more?

 

[KrisReef]

i have done a 25% water change about 10 days ago, but nothing change. one of the local guy i talked to, he told me to add 1 or 2 fishes, and it will speed up the process. i just want to make sure that it is fine to add a fish, since i dont want him to die

That local guy makes money selling fish. He’s correct that the cycle is completely fine butt you need to protect your fish and investment from going to fast, adding a fish every week until the tank crashes, the fish get sick and your aquarium is a source of grief instead of pride.

One fish, wait a month and then figure out what else you want and Your system can support and make wise decisions and know when to stop adding.

Otherwise you will keep adding and crowding the fish until they kill each other fighting for space.

Ask me if you are special or just a new person trying to keep fish.

We all make mistakes, read this thread and learn

Came home to 2 dead fish

I just moved one of the power heads to increase agitation

www.reef2reef.com

A mortal like you, and willing to talk to you for now.

 

[Fish Fan]

should i do a 50% water change or more?

I think that couldn't hurt. I don't know what size tank you have, but for smaller tanks, I think that's a good idea. You're just trying to reduce the nitrates at this point. Lager tanks there's other ways so you don't waste a ton of water.

 

[goldenpo]

I think that couldn't hurt. I don't know what size tank you have, but for smaller tanks, I think that's a good idea. You're just trying to reduce the nitrates at this point. Lager tanks there's other ways so you don't waste a ton of water.

i have a 40 gal cube. i am going to do a 50% water change, and add 1 damsel to see how it goes.

 

[Fish Fan]

i have a 40 gal cube. i am going to do a 50% water change, and add 1 damsel to see how it goes.

That seems reasonable, just know that Damsels can be very aggressive and territorial if you have plans for any more fish in the future.

 

[goldenpo]

That seems reasonable, just know that Damsels can be very aggressive and territorial if you have plans for any more fish in the future.

what kind of fish do you recommend? i am planning to add clown and tang in the future

 

[SliceGolfer]

I always do a 80% or greater water change after initial cycle to deplete nitrates.

 

[goldenpo]

I always do a 80% or greater water change after initial cycle to deplete nitrates.

good to know it, that's probably why my nitrate hasn't dropped since i only did a 25% water change.

 

[KrisReef]

What kind of tang and what clownfish?

If those are what you want, get two healthy ones and add them to reduce the number of times you add fish (which can bring diseases). A 40 cube is small for many tangs when they get older, they need room to swim to be happy and healthy.

 

[goldenpo]

What kind of tang and what clownfish?

If those are what you want, get two healthy ones and add them to reduce the number of times you add fish (which can bring diseases). A 40 cube is small for many tangs when they get older, they need room to swim to be happy and healthy.

i am thinking ocellaris clown fish just something cheap to start with