What options do I have? Nitrogen cycle problem...?

Question

I have a 70 gallon mixed African cichlid tank. I admit I was a bit premature adding m 25 fish but now the levels are confusing me. I had about 1ppm Nitrite and Ammonia when I added half the fish. I waited for the levels to come down to about .5ppm to add the rest. The levels have never been optimal in the tank...but thats just the precursor to the problem. Now the tank doesn't seem to be producing the Nitrate that it used to. It was putting out a solid 40ppm when I would check every two days, now its down to about 5ppm. Ammonia is currently <.25ppm and Nitrite is still hanging at 1ppm. I have done two smaller water changes and conditioned with Prime (which detoxifies the Nitrite and Ammonia) so the fish seem fine, all eating well and acting normal. When I added the second half of the fish, over two days I added a flask sized bottle of Nitromax to the tank. Levels did not change much. Now, for the past few days I have been adding another bacterial supplement. I need help...

Answer 1

The majority of your problem comes from the bottles you have been opening and pouring in your tank. The rest comes, as you are already aware, from rushing the tank.

The best thing for you and your tank is to first stop using all of the chemicals that mask and detoxify the ammonia and nitrites. These bond the ammonia in such a way that the nitrogen cycle can't use it to grow properly.

I would suggest you do a 50% water change to thin out the chemical additives and then watch the ammonia and nitrite levels. Do regular weekly 25% water changes and if needed change water more often to keep the ammonia and nitrite at a reasonably safe level. Eventually the cycle will catch up with the problem and all will be well.

MM

Answer 2

Well in my opinion 25 fish is WAY WAY to overcrowding for a 70g tank, you should return some of the fish, since its going to cause diseases and most likely ick to infect your fish.

I haven't personally owned any African cichlid breeds but im guessing they grow bigger than 3", and 3x25 = 75" so that said it breaks the "rule" that 1" per gallon. I don't use this rule but it is a good rule to use in this case.

Answer 3

ditto mm -- only be prepared to possibly do water changes more frequently -- i have been nuts enough to change about 10% every other day just to keep things going smoothly. i don't even bother with water checks -- just keep it going with a rhythm and flow.

it sounds like more work than it is -- but its a whole lot cheaper than all those chemicals and it doesn't make your tank a chemical dump!

Answer 4

im with magic.