adding copper: the last time I was at the pet store the worker told me
it is common to just toss a penny in the tank. I am extremely skeptical of
this (and have not yet done so) but does anyone know if it is safe and/or
beneficial?

"Altum" wrote in message
et...
David McDermott wrote:
Hello everybody. I am setting up a new tank and my cycle doesn't seem to
be going so well. It's just a 10 gal tank and I put fish (2 small common
goldfish and a slightly bigger fantail) in it two weeks ago today
(Tuesday). The ammonia levels continue to rise, at last check last night
was around 1.0 ppm (probably higher now). I did a partial water change
on Saturday (approx. 25%) and will do another 10-15% change tonight to
try to help the poor guys. My tank averages about 70 degrees, perhaps
dropping a couple of degrees at night.

I am not a seasoned veteran of tank set up yet but in my limited past
experience it has not taken this long for the ammonia level to drop.
What could be wrong? I have been putting in Hagen Cycle, a highly
controversial decision, I know. Should I continue regular small water
changes to dilute the ammonia or will fresh water all the time stress the
fish as much as the ammonia? I've already pretty much conceded that the
fish will die, they really don't look good (very lathargic, hiding in my
decorations). I have reduced feeding to a tiny pinch every other day so
I know there is none being wasted. Is this just a matter of me being
impatient? The only real difference I can think of between this
situation and my past experience is that the temperature may have been
slightly warmer in my other tank setup - I can't remember exactly,
although I have never had a heated tank so the difference would be
minimal.

I would also like to extend my thanks to everyone who is so active on
here. Most often I have been able to answer my questions without posting
just by reading over past discussions. Hopefully someday I will be an
expert and able to offer my help to others in this group!

Have you tried to cycle with goldfish before? You have too many goldfish
to cycle a 10 gallon tank. (Or even to live there once they start growing
well.) I would have cycled with only one goldfish because they put out so
much ammonia and waste. Heat does increase the growth rate of bacteria,
but they do fine at 70F.

Generally, fresh water is NOT as stressful as ammonia. (If tank and tap
are reasonably matched, dechlorinated fresh water is not stressful at
all.) However, during a cycle when ammonia levels are high, a moderately
sized water change with alkaline tapwater can raise tank pH and make the
remaining ammonia more toxic. Sometimes tap water pH changes after
aerating overnight so try that if tank and tap don't match.

Stop adding the Cycle. It doesn't work very well and if you use it more
than once, it seems to make tanks cycle more slowly. (Bacterial nutrients
in the bottle maybe?) If you can find/afford it, BioSpira is supposed to
be a much better product.

The lethargy sounds like nitrite poisoning. Have you tested for nitrites
yet?

Add 1 teaspoon salt/gallon to the tank to help prevent nitrite poisoning
and help your fish recover from any diseases that might be causing the
lethargy. When you change water, you will need to add 1 tsp salt/gallon
to replacement water as well. I would also add a dose of Aquarisol
(copper). I find that new goldfish often have parasites that can be
killed by copper.

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