Need advice

[bjtrapjr]

I am currently cycling my 10 gal qt tank I had 2 shrimp in it for about 10 days my ammonia badge read 2 ppm I tested the water (2 5 mg vials)last night with an api test kit with and it came back 8 ppm so I tested again (another 2 5 me vials) and it again came back at 8 ppm so I tested again (2 5 mg vials so that's a total of 6) so I took the shrimp out. I know that while cycling you get your ammonia spike, then wait for the ammonia to drop and the Nitrites to raise, then wait for the Nitrites to fall and wait for the nitrates to raise, and then do a water change. My question is I went to my lfs today to pick up supplies and I was curious so I had him check the water again and again it came back 8 ppm and he said to do a water change to it today (yes I told him I was cycling the tank). So my question is do I listen to him and do a water change now or wait for the ammonia to fall naturally and the rest of the process to complete to do the water change

 

[saltyair]

Dont do a water change - let it cycle

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Don't do a water change. Let the tank cycle. I know it's hard, but you're going to drive yourself crazy by testing everyday.

I would say, aside from basic monitoring everyday, I would test maybe every 2 or 3 days. You got your ammonia very high, so it's going to take a little time to come down.
I wouldn't introduce any more ammonia. No shrinps, no fish food, no nothing. Don't do any water changes. Just... chill.
This is a point where you have to fight the urge to know exactly what is happening and just wait to be surprised very soon with a zero ammonia and nitrite reading. Once those are both, definitely, zero, and you nitrates are the onay thing present, then it's time to do a water change, then introduce a small amount of ammonia, like fish food, and test for ammonia THE NEXT DAY, and if it reads zero, you're good to go.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Keep in mind, you may completely miss the nitrite spike. From my understanding that is the quick part of your nitrogen cycle.
Just wait a few days from now, then test for ammonia, if ammonia is present, even in the slightest, don't test anything else and just wait a few more days to test again.
After doing this, and you eventually get a zero ammonia test, then test for nitrite. If that reading is zero, then check your nitrates just to know where you're at.
Me personally, I waited even beyond that, then did another series of tests a couple days later, then did a wat wate change and then got a couple damsels just to make sure my freshly cycled tank wasn't partially cycled and could handle the new bio load.
Tank remained very stable as I tested everyday for more than a week, then I was finally comfortable with my tank being cycled, then went and bought the fish I really wanted.
Patience my friend. We have all been exactly where you are, trust me.

 

[SFish]

dont do a water change - let it cycle

+1

 

[myofibroblast]

I wonder if this thread can be combined with a thread you recently posted. Hopefully the moderators can work their internet magic.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

I wonder if this thread can be combined with a thread you recently posted. Hopefully the moderators can work their internet magic.

no need to pick on the guy man he's just new and looking for answers like everybody else was.

and besides the way the new hobby forum runs through posts, I'm sure they'll both(threads) be gone in a couple days

 

[SFish]

I wouldn't listen to your LF. The first time I tried to set up a salt water fish tank I was not able to make things work because of listening to the LF. I went through the same thing changed the water like the guy said and with a week or so I end up with an NH3 spike and 3 dead fish. At the time I didn't know it but the guy was selling me 3 fish that I couldn't have together. He keep telling me oh they are fine together. I wish I knew of this site back then. I got fish 3 or 4 times because of this guy and ick would break out because of the fish fighting. This is just my take on things.

 

[bjtrapjr]

I was asking because it's an issue of what I have READ vs what the owner of the lfs told me so that's why I came here to ask other people in this hobby with more experience than myself. If you do not like the questions I am asking I am sorry, but you do not have to respond actually you don't even have to read them please lighten up alittle I am just trying to learn but in my life experiences I have learned a person can read and regurgitate information and still not be as well of as somebody with experience

 

[myofibroblast]

My comment relates to the similarity of subject matter to another topic you recently posted. Hence my request for merging the threads.

You will recognize that I have actually not addressed your question as others have adequately done so. Good luck.

 

[SFish]

By the way welcome to the forum.

 

[bjtrapjr]

Thanks lol I really do appreciate the advice I get from here most of the people on here are great. I have already learned don't trust the lfs' s lol

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Just take everything with a grain of salt. Experience, sometimes unfortunately, is the best teacher. The most consistent advice I've gotten so far, and I'm still a noob, has been patience.
Good luck and let us know how you're making out.

 

[bjtrapjr]

I have no problem waiting I just want to be sure I am doing the right thing but any advice even if it is to just wait is greatly appreciated

 

[blackcell]

As long you don't put any livestock till your water settle down you might risk your tank crashing..

 

[shesacharmer]

I agree that it's a whole lot to learn and everywhere you turn there is someone giving you conflicting information. When you are standing in front of a person and they explain to you what to do and it goes against what you've heard or read elsewhere it's not easy to disregard that person when you have no experience of your own. You are wise to ask lots of questions and get lots of opinions. In the end you have to choose which way to go and sometimes you might make the wrong choice. That's how you learn who to listen to. This forum is designed to help those new in the hobby. There is no profit here in steering you the wrong way, and yet, sometimes you might get poor advice here. It is generally because an individual, trying to help, doesn't know the right answer, not because they are malicious or are trying to make a buck from you. Right behind that person are five more giving you different advice but they all say the same thing...those are generally the ones who know.

Now, don't do a water change, wait for zero, zero, and some nitrates. Things will progress much faster for you that way. Changing water will only slow things down.