How do I speed up nitrogen cycle

JonV88 · 07/18/2013, 10:18 AM

So after much research I kno why the .25 ammonia in my tank no matter how many water changes stays the same and then later spikes my nitrite and nitrates... My dumb a** didn't let the tank go through a nitrogen cycle, I'm quarantining my hippo tang cuz it has itch so just 1 fire shrimp, 4 snails and 2 hermits in tank what can I do

footballdude2k3 · 07/18/2013, 10:21 AM

You can wait, that is it, nothing more, the only thing that could help, is established rock from another system.

JonV88 · 07/18/2013, 10:40 AM

I bought a live rock from a store 4 days ago, so how do Run a nitrogen cycle, wait til all my ammonia changes into nitrite and nitrate?

Donkeykong · 07/18/2013, 10:48 AM

Patience, let your tank run as is till you are reading 0 on both the ammonia and nitrite tests. Hippos are know to stress and get ich, so your brand new tank isnt really a good home for it. My suggestion would be to take the hippo back and start with a few more hardy fish once your readings are at 0.

gone fishin · 07/18/2013, 10:51 AM

yes, just wait. Patience is a virtue in this hobby. IMO If you are using API test kit then it is very hard to tell 0 from 0.25 and they do give false readings at the low range. I would try another test kit.

Palting · 07/18/2013, 03:11 PM

How old is you tank? If it's over a month old, maybe a bad test kit.

JonV88 · 07/18/2013, 06:22 PM

Well first traces of ammonia after I put hippo tang in July 3, will 25% water changes slow the nitrogen cycle cuz I've done 6 in the past 2 weeks

DerekFF · 07/18/2013, 06:28 PM

Buy some dr Tim's or prodibio

bnumair · 07/18/2013, 07:43 PM

like i advised you on you other thread, if this is the same 6 gal bio cube its just matter of time all the live stock will parish. u need to return them and start fresh after reading through all the stickys i pointed out earlier.
Trust me you wasting valuable time trying to fix what was started completely wrong to begin with and please stop taking advices from that pet store it doesnt have any good rep here on RC.

shifty51008 · 07/18/2013, 07:51 PM

I agree, i think the hippo alone is putting to much bioload on your 6 gal tank that your gonna always see ammonia.

jonnyeatworld · 07/18/2013, 09:34 PM

Dr tim's worked really great on my tank. I still waited 3 weeks. but I feel like dr tim's one and only was a great product and worth it.

Kennyleary93 · 07/18/2013, 09:40 PM

Listen he has a tang in a 6 yes S-I-X gallon tank. Please, please listen to what everyone is telling you and start over and return that fish. Tangs require a MUCH larger tank. the smaller the tank, the harder it is to care for.

Sn8kbyt · 07/18/2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyleary93

Listen he has a tang in a 6 yes S-I-X gallon tank. Please, please listen to what everyone is telling you and start over and return that fish. Tangs require a MUCH larger tank. the smaller the tank, the harder it is to care for.

Finding Nemo was such a awesome movie though

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 05:22 AM

I went to return him yesturday and they won't take him back so I bought a 29 gallon witch I'm setting up 2morrowImageUploadedByTapatalk1374232971.903834.jpg

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 05:25 AM

They said they don't even have a QT tank I said neither do I and the guy said not my prob they don't take back saltwater fish

BlindZide · 07/19/2013, 05:26 AM

Still to small. You got a little bigger yes, most tangs need 100+g tanks to live in, especially the hippo tangs. Sorry for the trouble this is causing you and that your LFS is not so bright.

You might want to find a local reefer with a larger tank and see if they want the hippo.

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 05:26 AM

I really want to save this fish I don't wAnt it to die because of my stupidity

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 05:27 AM

Is their a website I can find a local reefer that will take him?

BlindZide · 07/19/2013, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonV88

Is their a website I can find a local reefer that will take him?

You can try to on here. Just pop a thread up for a local reefer in your area and see if someone responds. Don't put it up on the New to the Hobby section, try the reef discussion or lounge.

As far as your stupidity, I wouldn't blame you, I would blame the LFS for feeding you false information and allowing you to purchase this setup with that fish.

PetCo talked one my friends parents into a 6g fluval edge, said it was the BEST salt tank, and then proceeded to sell them a rather large angel. Needless to say I went back there with them and wouldn't leave until a manager gave me what I wanted ie what they needed. The threat of calling corporate and a wildlife organization promptly got responses. Matter of fact I even started dialing the corporate number in the store.

BlindZide · 07/19/2013, 05:34 AM

These are animals. The unfair treatment of animals is against the law. You go to a store and ask for information and if the store gives false information and proceeds to sell you stuff that is inhumane is wrong. Regardless if you let them, misinformation would lead to a death. These people are supposed to be "trained" and have the "knowledge" to better educate you in the hobby. They even state it in their mission statement and on commercials.

shifty51008 · 07/19/2013, 06:53 AM

Where are you located?

I agree though, i wouldnt blame you. people new to the hobby think pet stores know whats best when all they are doing is trying to make a sale. But it is a good time to learn to research the fish you want.

MrTuskfish · 07/19/2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

How old is you tank? If it's over a month old, maybe a bad test kit.

Yeah. If you do a 25% WC and the test reads the same, it HAS to be the test kit. If you remove 25% of the water, you're also removing 25% of the ammonia. Unless your friendly aerobic bacteria are using Barry Bonds brand steroids.

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 10:05 AM

I'm in new Rochelle, NY

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 10:06 AM

I'm gunna go buy live sand and real ocean water for the new tank 2morrow guess I'll buy a Red Sea test kit while I'm at it

JonV88 · 07/19/2013, 10:07 AM

And use both to test the water and see if the API Is wrong

07/18/2013, 10:18 AM	#1
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	How do I speed up nitrogen cycle So after much research I kno why the .25 ammonia in my tank no matter how many water changes stays the same and then later spikes my nitrite and nitrates... My dumb a** didn't let the tank go through a nitrogen cycle, I'm quarantining my hippo tang cuz it has itch so just 1 fire shrimp, 4 snails and 2 hermits in tank what can I do

07/18/2013, 10:51 AM	#5
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	yes, just wait. Patience is a virtue in this hobby. IMO If you are using API test kit then it is very hard to tell 0 from 0.25 and they do give false readings at the low range. I would try another test kit. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

07/18/2013, 03:11 PM	#6
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	How old is you tank? If it's over a month old, maybe a bad test kit. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

07/18/2013, 07:43 PM	#9
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	like i advised you on you other thread, if this is the same 6 gal bio cube its just matter of time all the live stock will parish. u need to return them and start fresh after reading through all the stickys i pointed out earlier. Trust me you wasting valuable time trying to fix what was started completely wrong to begin with and please stop taking advices from that pet store it doesnt have any good rep here on RC. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

07/18/2013, 07:51 PM	#10
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I agree, i think the hippo alone is putting to much bioload on your 6 gal tank that your gonna always see ammonia. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

07/18/2013, 10:21 AM	#2
footballdude2k3 Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,974	You can wait, that is it, nothing more, the only thing that could help, is established rock from another system.

07/18/2013, 10:40 AM	#3
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	I bought a live rock from a store 4 days ago, so how do Run a nitrogen cycle, wait til all my ammonia changes into nitrite and nitrate?

07/18/2013, 10:48 AM	#4
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Patience, let your tank run as is till you are reading 0 on both the ammonia and nitrite tests. Hippos are know to stress and get ich, so your brand new tank isnt really a good home for it. My suggestion would be to take the hippo back and start with a few more hardy fish once your readings are at 0.

07/18/2013, 06:22 PM	#7
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	Well first traces of ammonia after I put hippo tang in July 3, will 25% water changes slow the nitrogen cycle cuz I've done 6 in the past 2 weeks

07/18/2013, 06:28 PM	#8
DerekFF Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 219	Buy some dr Tim's or prodibio

07/18/2013, 09:34 PM	#11
jonnyeatworld Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 144	Dr tim's worked really great on my tank. I still waited 3 weeks. but I feel like dr tim's one and only was a great product and worth it.

07/18/2013, 09:40 PM	#12
Kennyleary93 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 145	Listen he has a tang in a 6 yes S-I-X gallon tank. Please, please listen to what everyone is telling you and start over and return that fish. Tangs require a MUCH larger tank. the smaller the tank, the harder it is to care for. __________________ 30g tank 20g sump being designed Very excited to tackle this hobby and I cannot wait to move forward!

07/19/2013, 05:22 AM	#14
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	I went to return him yesturday and they won't take him back so I bought a 29 gallon witch I'm setting up 2morrowImageUploadedByTapatalk1374232971.903834.jpg

07/19/2013, 05:25 AM	#15
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	They said they don't even have a QT tank I said neither do I and the guy said not my prob they don't take back saltwater fish

07/19/2013, 05:26 AM	#16
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	Still to small. You got a little bigger yes, most tangs need 100+g tanks to live in, especially the hippo tangs. Sorry for the trouble this is causing you and that your LFS is not so bright. You might want to find a local reefer with a larger tank and see if they want the hippo. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/19/2013, 05:27 AM	#18
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	Is their a website I can find a local reefer that will take him?

07/19/2013, 05:34 AM	#20
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	These are animals. The unfair treatment of animals is against the law. You go to a store and ask for information and if the store gives false information and proceeds to sell you stuff that is inhumane is wrong. Regardless if you let them, misinformation would lead to a death. These people are supposed to be "trained" and have the "knowledge" to better educate you in the hobby. They even state it in their mission statement and on commercials. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/19/2013, 06:53 AM	#21
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Where are you located? I agree though, i wouldnt blame you. people new to the hobby think pet stores know whats best when all they are doing is trying to make a sale. But it is a good time to learn to research the fish you want. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

07/19/2013, 10:05 AM	#23
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	I'm in new Rochelle, NY

07/19/2013, 10:06 AM	#24
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	I'm gunna go buy live sand and real ocean water for the new tank 2morrow guess I'll buy a Red Sea test kit while I'm at it

07/19/2013, 10:07 AM	#25
JonV88 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Rochelle,NY Posts: 342	And use both to test the water and see if the API Is wrong