Cycling problem

[SorshaKay]

What do you do, if you have a tank (60G) with 2 clowns and 5 crabs, and tank has only been running for two weeks. Ammonia is .25, nitrites is 0 and nitrates is between 10 to 20 ppm. Beneficial bacteria is being added, and some is already in there. What should be done in this case to try and keep the clowns and inverts alive? This isn't my tank.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking small water changes, about 5 gallons per day or every other. I'm not sure what to tell him.

 

[ReefBum]

I would advise him to give up the fish and wait until the tank is fully cycled.

 

[SorshaKay]

That's what I was thinking, that way he could just dump ammonia and fish flakes and go that way, but what if he refuses?

 

[TheEngineer]

I would advise him to give up the fish and wait until the tank is fully cycled.

This.

That's what I was thinking, that way he could just dump ammonia and fish flakes and go that way, but what if he refuses?

Then this hobby is perhaps not for him. Patience is required for any level of success in this hobby.

 

[tankstudy]

If hes already got some beneficial bacteria and hes adding some bottled bacteria, it should be able to handle the 0.25 ppm ammonia. He will need to be concerned about the nitrates after adding the bacteria.

 

[SorshaKay]

I know, I know. But, you all know how it is. You can't tell people hardly anything.

Okay so say he gives them up, then what? Flakes and pure ammonia like I originally thought? He won't change any water during this time, right?

If he won't give up the fish, what can he do to minimize the stress and also to keep the tank still cycling?

 

[tankstudy]

1) Pull the fish out into a bucket or separate container with good aeration
2) Pour in some bottled bacteria recommended up to 60 gallons of water. I would recommend getting double that amount.
3) Retest ammonia in 24 hours

If ammonia-nitrite reads 0, return the fish to the tank
If ammonia-nitrite is still present, add more beneficial bacteria and retest within 24 hours.

 

[SorshaKay]

Okay great thank you. I'm still going to try and convince him to take the fish back/get rid of them.

 

[tankstudy]

He won't need to return them after the bottled bacteria has brought down the ammonia/nitrite.

Only thing I would recommend after this, is no more livestock for about 1-2 weeks. This would let things balance out in his tank.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Wow this thread wiiillldddd! Don't add no ammonia at all fish just being present in there is ammonia lol. Clowns are like damsel fish they're hardy they could survive but I'd take them out put

 

[Tommy's Reef]

All the ammonia u need is all ready there cycling good. I would not add no more bacteria either, be patient and nature will do its thing. The longer u Wait the better cycled your tank will be. I waited 2 months before I pUT anything in mine Now I Could Take A Turd IN There And Levels Wouldn't change!! Lol

 

[brandon429]

.25 typically means zero, on API kits.


how much does that change this thread? much, possibly. not enough info so far but it does sound rushed. you may have a good kit, we need to know about the rocks to be able to call it. they are either live and obvious, or claimed live and not obvious, or they were dried and dead upon startup, some combo of those three lol

does the live rock have coralline or not? if the live rock is all coralline, the direction of the thread is changed markedly again. the fact you posted nitrate readings means either enough bottle bac to cheat a little and nitrify via the water column, or there's coralline on most of the rock and a skip cycle was done. that's all I ever do, I don't cycle reefs. I don't ever rush fish stocking either

I buy live rock and live sand from the pet store. has clear coralline on it. install in new tank, tank is ready. I transfer underwater on way home.