My QT will not cycle.

[clittrell]

My fish got ich so over the last few months I put together a QT setup. I put matrix in the DT sump for 2 weeks prior to moving the fish into the QT. Moved the fish in 3 weeks ago and put the matrix in a hot magnum. All was going ok so I added the cupramine. Over the course of a week I brought the level to .5 Cu. No more spots. Problem is the matrix is not keeing up with the nitrites. So I have been doing water changes. This messes with the cycle but if I do not make changes my nitrites go up. 1 on one test and about 3 on another. Should I keep doing water changes? I have been doing 9 gallons on a 29.

Seachem told me to add stability which I have. Should I keep doing that or stop?

Any sugestions?


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[RBU1]

You can add atability that will help. I would continue with the water changes just make sure you test your copper level. Also make sure your nitrite test kit is accurate. Are you getting any ammonia or nitrates?

 

[RBU1]

You can add atability that will help. I would continue with the water changes just make sure you test your copper level. Also make sure your nitrite test kit is accurate. Are you getting any ammonia or nitrates?

 

[clittrell]

Re: My QT will not cycle.

You can add atability that will help. I would continue with the water changes just make sure you test your copper level. Also make sure your nitrite test kit is accurate. Are you getting any ammonia or nitrates?

Thanks,

My ammonia is less than .1. My nitrates are 25 ish. Ammonia had been a little higher but has gone down and stabilized. Nitrates seem to be slowly rising.


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[RBU1]

Well I would keep doing as large of a water change as you can making sure the copper level is staying the same in your makeup water. Adding the bacteria in a bottle stuff will help so keep it up. Good Luck

 

[JHemdal]

Don't forget that nitrites are not as toxic to marine fish as they are to freshwater fish - has to do with the sodium concentration IIRC. In general, if a marine fish has survived the ammonia level that preceded the nitrite build-up, they will be fine....

Jay

 

[RegalAngel]

I use Seachem Stability for my QT whenever I add fresh SW and fish. It works great. Never seen any ammonia. As said above, nitrites aren't an issue.

 

[wooden_reefer]

I put matrix in the DT sump for 2 weeks prior to moving the fish into the QT.

The medium for QT, DT any T always cycles very easily.

You cycle the medium in a separate container (or the QT tank if you want and it is not in use).

All you need is some bacteria seed from the DT, an ammonia source, aeration circulation and warmth. Always cycles.

The DT is not a place to cultivate bacteria for use in QT; the DT is only a source of bacteria seed. In the DT, the nitrification bacteria population is in equilbirum with the bioload and the ammonia and nitrite are near zero; there is no rapid increase in nitrification bacteria population in a DT.

The medium for QT has to be deliberately cycled in a separate container, or the QT tank.

 

[clittrell]

Re: My QT will not cycle.

Update.

Still adding stability.

Nitrites are still high I would say 4-5 depending on which test kit I use. I change 9-10 gallons a day and add more cupramine. What I can not figure out is the water change has no affect on the levels. They seem to be the same as soon as I change the water. I tested my makeup water and it is 0.

Any ideas or is this just a case of wait till the cupramine is out so the tank can finish cycling.

 

[RegalAngel]

Update.

Any ideas or is this just a case of wait till the cupramine is out so the tank can finish cycling.

Add fish; add Stability each day for 7 days.....then add the Cupramine.