Question about Cycling

Klane wrote:
Okay, the SpongeBob tank is about 4 weeks old and the Danios are doing
fine. I feed the fish once a day and change the water about every 5
days (50%).

Testing the water the pH is fine, the amonia is very low (almost at 0)
but my Nitrites are very high, over 50, and the Nitrates are very low.
Do I do anything different or do I just wait because it's normal for a
new tank.

We are also going to break down and get a bigger tank, either 10 or 20
gallons, I have a corner that it will fit with a little moving around.
Do I transfer the gravel into that tank to help it cycle? If so do I do
that right away or wait until I add the fish. Will I have to cycle all
over again? Should I make up the tank and let it run for a few days
first before I transfer Boo and Yah?

Thanks a lot for your help,
Klane

Your cycle is going well. As Billy said, keep up with the water
changes. Also keep a teaspoon of pickling or aquarium salt per gallon
in the water while you have nitrites. It will make the fish more
comfortable by making the nitrite less toxic.

Go for 20 gallons rather than 10 if you have the space. The bigger a
tank is, the easier it is to keep healthy. Definately transfer your
gravel with the bacteria into the new tank. It may cycle a bit but not
as badly as your first tank.

Set the new tank up, fill it with dechlorinated/dechloraminated water
and run it empty overnight to be sure there are no leaks and the heater,
filter, and lighting all work. Check your temps and make any
adjustments. Look carefully for leaks at the seams and around the trim
at the top and bottom of the tank. Once everything is set, add the old
gravel from the Sponge Bob tank, Boo, and Yah at the same time.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com