New Tank Cycling: pH 7.2, ammonia .50, nitrite .25-.50, nitrate 20. Should I change water?

Question

Have a Biorb 4 gallon under air rock filtered tank with my betta in it. It's been running for a while but did a complete water change 6 days ago. Read in some answers that I should change water whenever ammonia or nitrite level goes above .25 when cycling a tank. What do you recommend? If I should change water, how much and should I vacuum?

Ok, so I've fooled around long enough. The only problem with the Biorb has been me. I started two aquariums without a clue. The betta tank was inundated with food and chemicals before I sought help. When he started getting readings of 3.0 and higher ammonia, I changed all the water but kept the air-stone and filter the same. The tank has a water surface area of about 8" in diameter and with the air filter it is a better set up for a betta than I've seen amongst my friends and pet shops. I really think Michael is healthy and happy in there. He swims all of the time resting occasionally on his live plants.

Answer 1

I wouldn't do a water change at this point. The ammonia isn't really that dangerous and your pH isn't high enough to cause serious ammonia toxicity. It the ammonia runs up to a 1 then you should take action. Your goal while the tank is cycling is to keep some ammonia available to the bacteria, while keeping it low enoug for the fish to live. The lower the ammonia the slower the cycling process, so allowing a little build up will help the cycle come along even more quickly. If you need to change water because the ammonia gets high, I would suggest a 50% water change, that should be enough to get it under control again as even that would reduce a 1 to a 0.5. Your gravel shouldn't be too dirty as of yet but a light cleaning at each water change is a good idea and a good habit to cultivate.

MM

Answer 2

You're tank is almost through the cycle. Still watch the perameters, I'd go with what Magic Man says. A water change is not really necessary right now, see if it doesn't change for the better tomorrow. Feed lightly. Don't clean your filter yet. You're almost there. Be patient. I would suspect both ammonia and nitrite to fall to zero in the next few days bacause you have nitrate present now.
When there is ammonia in the tank, the bacteria that eat ammonia multiply and their waste product is nitrite. There is a different bacteria that eat the nitrite, and they take a little longer to establish, their waste product is nitrate. Algae use nitrate as their food source. Since you have nitrate present, its a good indicator that all the other bacteria are establishing themselves, they just need a few days to grow in number to rid the tank of waste the fish produce. The green algae is the final step in the process, you see that stuff start to grow, you're home free.

Answer 3

Well Ann you seem to be having a lot of trouble with your Bio-Orb so I would strongly suggest that you get a normal tank.

The round shape on the Bio Orb is not conducive to normal healthy fish keeping.

First of all the built in filter that these tanks use is no where near large enough to keep them clean, and the amount of surface area left after the tank is full does not allow enough oxygen into the water, unless you only fill the tank half way. (leave the water surface at the widest part of the orb.

It also appears from the many questions that you have asked in the past that you like to play around with your tanks to much. After a tank has been set up you need to give it time to cycle. Yes doing a 20% water change is necessary every week, as is cleaning the filter at least on a monthly basis. But you need to give the tank time to get running at its natural rhythm first before doing any major maintenance.


Good Luck.
E.

Answer 4

You don't want to change 100% of the water; if ammonia is high, maybe 40-50% every day or every other day. You should vacuum the gravel everytime you do a water change.

It kind of sounds like the water in my tank. My ammonia stayed at .5 for three weeks and just started noticeably coming back down after my water change yesterday while my nitrates are on their way up for a short while. Needless to say, after three weeks I'm tired of waiting for it to cycle, so I am heading to Petsmart after work today and buying some used gravel to help it along.

Just keep on those water changes and things should work out after a while. Listen to some of those top contributers; they know what they're talking about.

Answer 5

Well Bettas are pretty tough but in my opinion it definatly would not hurt to do a partial water change. I dont think you should do another total water change while the tank is cycling though - stick to the partials. You have some nitrate reading so that will gobbel up the amonia in no time

Answer 6

If at all, I'd do a tiny 10% water change. Such a small tank it is easy to get the water off parameters and then over correct. Small tanks are MUCH harder to m aintain, so avoid the temptation to over correct.