A Fishkeeping forum. FishKeepingBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » FishKeepingBanter.com forum » rec.aquaria.freshwater » General
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Where's the Ammonia?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old January 23rd 05, 03:02 AM
Lisa
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Where's the Ammonia?

Hello,

I set up my new 50-gallon bow-front 2 weeks ago. 8 days ago, I bought
2 Flame dwarf gouramis to begin the cycle. As far as I can tell, they
have been happy, eating, active, and making bubble nests all over for
the past week.

The water seems clear. (I added Bio-Spira after the fish had been in
the tank for 2 days or so - it was the first chance I had to actually
find it in stock at the LFS.)

I've tested the water EVERY day for gH, kH, pH. The pH inched up
slightly - gradually - from 7.0 to 7.2. Otherwise, no changes. Water
is fairly soft for both kH and gH.

Water tested EVERY day for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. All 0-0-0,
every darn time. (I confess I got compulsive and started testing for
the "Big 3" twice a day! Ahhh!) I even bought a different testing kit
to make sure I had a good one. Both are in agreement.

So, why aren't I cycling? Where's the ammonia that I am supposed to see
in a new tank? Is it possible that the 2 dwarf Gouramis aren't
producing enough ammonia to be detected in a 50-gallon? I am afraid
that maybe I don't have any good bacteria, or perhaps they are starving
through having little ammonia to eat.

Should I go ahead and add more fish, or should I wait? Should I do a
partial water change/gravel vacuum, or just leave it sit awhile? (I am
planning to do a 20% change/vacuum routine every week for this tank, so
I'd like to get into the tank maintenance routine as soon as I can.
But I don't want to mess up any growing bacteria!)

I was really expecting to see SOMETHING happen before now, so it seems
very strange. I guess all is well, but I wish I had some ammonia to
detect, so that I knew things were progressing. Any thoughts?
Thanks,

- Lisa

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
ammonia problems *muffin* Goldfish 8 June 12th 04 09:08 PM
amonia testing question. Alkad Mzu Goldfish 3 March 15th 04 01:44 PM
nitrite spike, no ammonia! Jason in Oakland General 4 February 27th 04 04:37 PM
Adding Chemicals When cycling your tank Jay General 1 October 4th 03 05:38 AM
High Ammonia Readings -test kits/ammonia removers Spark_001 General 0 September 27th 03 05:46 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 FishKeepingBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.