I have a 10 gallon, and a liquid testing kit. I'm trying to cycle my tank with just fish food (I'm using betta bites and freeze dried blood worms) to prepare for getting a betta. Ammonia hasn't seemed to change and it's been 3 weeks already. What am I doing wrong? Should I get a plant from a pet store to help it cycle, would that do anything? I was planning to get a java moss/fern anyway. I have noticed cloudiness, and the food that sank to the bottom seems to be molding? Help!
2007-11-15 10:12:22 · 5 answers · asked by Stacy 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Hi Lindsay, You are a very nice person to be doing this rather than making your new fish suffer. The cloudiness sounds just fine & shows something is happening as does the rotting food on the bottom, this is what we want to see! Remember the times given in instructions are only average & with something with so many variables expect up to 8 weeks [or even more!]before your tank is ready.
I wouldn't bother getting a plant until your tank is cycled. Just carry on with your routine & frequent testing-once your ammonia has spiked your nitrite will follow soon after.
2007-11-15 11:14:39 · answer #1 · answered by John 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suspect something faulty in the tests. If you're sure that you're performing the tests correctly, then it's possible you've got a defective test kit. If there's rotting food in the substrate and cloudy water, you should definitely be getting ammonia readings.
What kind of test kit is it? I prefer API Master Test kits, myself. I also just use pure ammonia to fishless cycle new tanks. You don't need to use fish food; ammonia's the end product of the food waste anyway, and that's what you need to get your nitrogen cycle going. Just make sure it's pure ammonia, without any chemical additives. You can usually get it in most grocery stores.
2007-11-15 10:20:45 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your test kit could be faulty. Try testing your nitrites or nitrates and see if you get a reading from them. If your nitrites are zero and you are getting a nitrate reading your tank is cycled. If not I would recommend starting over. Yes adding the plant will help with the cycle as it will add the beneficial bacterial that is growing on it to the tank. Keep in mind if you do that depending on how much bacteria is on the plant you may never get an ammonia reading as the plant may bring in sufficient bacteria to cycle the tank.
2007-11-15 11:25:33 · answer #3 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the reason your tank is cloudy is because of the food. There is nothing to eat it! I would start over. Don't put that much food in this time and after a few days, (about 3) I would get a cory. They are pretty hardy, so it should survive the half cycled tank, and it will eat the food that sinks to the bottom. I am pretty sure in a big tank the betta won't bother it.
2007-11-15 10:29:20 · answer #4 · answered by somebody 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Do you have a filter? If there is no filter for the bacteria to colonize, you won't see anything happen. Without a filter, you will not have a space for bacteria to grow, leaving you with all your ammonia... If you do have a filter, make sure you are following the testing instructions and don't do any water changes (water changes will remove the ammonia which acts as food for the bacteria, preventing bacteria from growing)... Contact me if you have any questions.
Soop Nazi
2007-11-15 11:40:47 · answer #5 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋