new tank startup

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Stephanie,

Hope this isn't too basic a question, or too long. I have a new tank that I re-started up four weeks ago (messed something up, or my children dropped something in so I restarted the tank).  I have two gouramies (sp) and 4 neon tetras in a 20 gal tank.  My water was crystal until about 7 days ago, when it started to get a little cloudy and ammonia levels went 2-3 mg/l.  I understand this is normal in a new cycle, and thought this meant the cycle was coming to an end.  However,  after a week my ammonia levels are staying toxic at -2 mg/l, despite 15% water changes every 3 nights.  My PH is approx 6, but my nitrite tests show 0 ppm.  I though after a few days of ammonia spike the nitrite level should significantly increase and ammonia levels drop, as the cycle starts to finish.  I am worried that I don't have enough of a bacterial bed.  One of my gouramys (pearl) is getting very lethargic, but the other fish seem fine.  Should I just stay the course (15% water changes/3 nights and 2 light feedings daily), and for how much longer, or should I start adding chemicals (which I hate to do other than stress coat with the water change) or some other action. I had to wash the foam instert in the filter, last week, but did it in water I siphoned out.  Also, I vacuum the gravel with every water change.  Any advice would be welcome (my twin 2 yr olds are attached to the fish).

thanks
David
Answer -
Hello,

It sounds like you have a bacterial bloom in your tank! High ammonia levels and cloudy water are both signs of this. Changing the water helps sometimes, but other times it just makes it worse.

I recommend trying a couple things.

1) Reduce your water changes to 15% every week.

2) Add a denitrifier and a waste control product. A good denitrifier is Cycle by Nutrafin. Both of these can be purchased from any fish store.

3) Add an general antibacterial such as Melafix, just to make certain your fish pull through ok. Add just one dose, no need to do a full treatment cycle unless you see signs of illness other then lethargy.

4) Reduce your feeding amount. Either reduce the amount you feed your fish by about half each session of feed just once a day. Your fish will be fine and it will help reduce the waste, and therefore the excess bacteria.

I hope that some of these suggestions help. If you have any more question, feel free to ask.

From Stephanie

Thanks Stephanie, but one question, will adding an anti-bacterial to
my tank during the initial cycling kill off too much of the good bacteria?

Answer
Hello,

No, you shouldn't have a problem with killing off too much good bacteria. If you do decide to use Cycle (as mentioned in my previous letter) that actually increases the level of good bacteria in your tank, so that should help out in that area.

Good-luck,

From Stephanie