Possibly screwed up tank cycle...Help!!

Question
Hello,

Before I ask my question, here are a few things to know about my tank beforehand...

Type: Freshwater
Size: 10gal
Heater: One 25watt Heater
Filter: Hagen Marina Slim filter S15
Filter Specs: http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID...


Ok, I just typed out an Extremely long story on the question I was going to ask, but I think it was a bit long, so I'm going to attempt to make this question Really short by putting it in point form (kinda).

- Got brand new fish tank (my very first one).

- I set it all up (Turned on heater, filter, added gravel, etc.)

- Went to buy fish thinking I could add them right away, but pet store guy said no. Said I had to cycle tank first and told me to buy Nutrafin Cycle. He said to add a cap full the first day after doing a 50% water change, then to do %20 water changes every day for 6 days adding a cap full of Nutrafin Cycle each time.

- Did what pet store guy said, and went back to pet store after doing it all (7 days later). Pet store guy than said I could add some small Calico Goldfish to help cycle the tank, so I added 3 small ones.

- Pet store guy than said to do a 20% water change every 3 days for a little over a week, then to come back with a water sample.

- So I did 3 water changes and went back to see him after (10 days later approx.)

- Pet store guy tested water, said nitrates where Extremely high, said to do a %50 water change for 3 days straight and to keep adding a cap full of Nutrafin Cycle each time. Than after the 3 days, do a 20% water change for 4 days straight, still adding a cap full of Nutrafin Cycle after each time. So I did.

- Went back to see pet store guy 7 days later. He tested the water, said the nitrates weren't as bad, but still not perfect. He told me to add some hornwort plants, and to do two 20% water changes, one when I got home, and another in 4 days. So I did.

- Went back to pet store guy 5 days later. He tested the water and said it was perfect and said I could add other fish now if I wanted to. I added a 2" common pleco.

- I have since been doing weekly 20-30% water changes (stopped adding cycle though after a bit, started costing too much). I also just yesterday took my filter out of the tank to clean it (It had green goo type of stuff growing on it). I cleaned it, put it back into the tank, and everything seemed fine.

- Today I went to the pet store, it was the first time in like a month. I bought a nitrate test kit to make sure my nitrate was still ok...

- Nitrate is Extremely bad, like as dark as could be on the scale...


Now, my question is, what else could I possibly do to help with my nitrate problem now?... I have done a lot of research, but it seems like I am fighting a losing battle.... Did I screw up somewhere??.... What do I do now? Is my cycling officially messed up?? Please help!!

Answer
Hi Kaine

The only mistake you made was listening to the moron at the pet store you went to. The other mistakes you made were his fault.

First, never cycle a tank with Goldfish when you intend to keep tropical fish. Goldfish are cold water fish, tropical fish are warm water fish.

Next, fishless cycling using chemicals will rarely work. More often than not, the tank cycle will be thrown off when you add fish. It is best to cycle the tank using good cycle fish such as White Clouds, Zebra Danios, Platys or small Tetras such as the Bloodfin. Use one small fish per 10 gallons of water. Do 10% to 15% water changes every couple of days. Never do a 50% water change while your tank is cycling. Also, when doing water changes, make sure you add water conditioner to the new water prior to adding it to the tank.

Your filter choice was not the best either. Never use a filter where the motor is submerged in the tank. A Bio-Wheel filter will work best for you such as a Penguin 100 or in 10 gallon tanks, I use the next size up from what my aquarium requires, a Penguin 150. This is just an fyi for future reference, I don't recommend changing out your filter at this point because it will cause your cycle to start all over again.

About the best advice I can give you now is to leave the tank alone and let it cycle properly. Do 10-15% water changes every few days and feed your fish sparingly (once every other day).

Here is a link to further help you with your cycle problems.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Hope this is helpful to you, good luck!

Richard