Cycling not done!?

[asque2000]

Hi all-

I recently got two saltwater fish (Clownfish) for my tank. I had spent 4 months cycling the tank (I have some experience with cycling in the past with jellyfish). All things went right, saw the ammonia spike, drop, and same w/ nitrites etc. Tested Sunday had 0 amm., 0 nitrites, and 10 nitrates. Did a small water change and thought we're ready for fish.

Tested the water yesterday an nitrites went up slightly but ammonia was good. Tested this am and ammonia was 0.25, nitrites were 0.5, and nitrates were 10-20 ish. Why is this happening after the tank fully cycled? What can/should I do to protect the fish? I added some Prime to help, but that's short term. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[asque2000]

Also before anyone asks, I did maintain a low level ammonia source w/ drops, so I know the cycle didn't stall

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

You might need more rock.
No specs given on tank, sump, or anything else for reference.

 

[Fiish]

Doesn't mention how much live rock you have in your tank, does it have sand? How many gallons are you driving?

On a separate note, can you explain to me about your dripping ammonia source? I've never heard it. Thank you

 

[asque2000]

Sorry, I have a 10 gal tank with about 1-2” of round porous stones on the bottom (they are the same subststrate that came with the original jellyfish art tanks).

The ammonia drops (made by dr Tim’s) are just that, liquid drops of concentrated ammonia to help with cycling. You can add your bacteria and dose it up to 2.0 ppm to feed the bacteria colony, and as the cycle continues (I.e, the ammonia levels drop) you can add small amounts to keep the cycle from stalling. Pretty slick set up for a fishless cycle but it takes a while as on jellyfish tanks you can’t have live rock or filters.

 

[asque2000]

Also am I worrying over nothing? How toxic are nitrites to clownfish? Jellyfish it’s not good, but I saw some forum posts that say it’s not that bad for marine fish. My ammonia levels are better today.

 

[Mcgeezer]

Your tank wasn’t cycled - it needs to read 0 across the board when you first start out. After that, Ammonia/nitrite needs to be 0 all the time and nitrate as close to 0 as possible. You need to be adding an ammonia reducer immediately - id consider taking the fish out and doing a proper cycle.

Based on what you described, you have very little biological filter which is why your cycle isn’t completing. The jellyfish stones aren’t sufficient. Live rock that is present creates the rhythm that you want in your nitrogen cycle...which is essentially “set it and forget it”.

If you build it, the nitrifying bacteria will come....

 

[asque2000]

It was cycled. I cycled for 4 month, saw the spike tested weekly, when I decided to put fish in it read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10 ish nitrates. I only added drops to keep the cycle from stalling.

 

[asque2000]

But perhaps you're right on the insufficient amount of bio filter. I assumed because Jellyfish Art called the stones "œlive rock" by putting a big coating on the floor would be sufficient.

I don't know about moving the fish, I have a fully cycled jellyfish tank next door, and while clowns "œcan" exist with jellyfish, clowns probably "œshouldn't". I'll figure something out, if that means getting a chunk of live rock and daily water changes I guess that'll have to do

 

[Sk8r]

Recommendation is 1-2 lbs of live limestone or old coral rock per gallon, (the more porous and holey the better) and many if not most use an aragonite sandbed as well. I don't use any bottled bacteria. I rely on my rock. And use only a few flakes of fishfood per day to cycle in about 4 weeks. I agree. I don't think you have enough processing to keep your tank healthy. Recommend you get some more rock.