I found after testing, that my tap water tests at .50 for ammonia. I retested it after adding "Prime" and it still shows ammonia at .25.

I noticed "Prime" states that it converts ammonia into a non-toxic form. Is my test picking up this "non-toxic" ammonia, or am I pouring ammonia into my tank during water changes?

My tank is cycling, and my nitrites were up to 3. I added Prime to "detoxify" the elevated nitrites and nitrates, but they are still reading at the same level. Again, are these readings detoxified nitrites? My fish seem OK.

I read in a cheap goldfish book, ( have not recieved my Amazon order yet for "Fancy Goldfish") that water changes should be with distilled water. Is this true?

Yes, chloramine is chlorine and ammonia. when it's dechlorinated, it releases ammonia. The prime is detoxing some of the ammonia from the chloramine but not all of it.
What ammonia test are you using?
What's your pH and water temp?
how has your ammonia been running?

Prime says it makes nitrItes less toxic, but they don't know how that works, and it won't affect nitrIte test readings.
I'd do a partial water change to reduce nitrIte levels and add 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon to protect against nitrIte poisoning.

no distilled water. The only reason you'd use distilled water is to mix with your tap water if it's very hard with high pH.

Thanks DataGuru.

My ammonia level was 0 yesterday before I did a partial water change. Now it is just barely visible on the test, I'd say <.25 (aquarium Pharmaceuticals) kit.

The pH is reading 7.8 on dip stick (jungle)
nitrite 3 on dip stick, 2 on drop test (aquarium Pharmaceuticals)
nitrate 10 on drop test

temp 74.

Sounds like you're cycling! Watch your nitrIte levels. It can also be harmful to your fishies!
(At 3 I would do a partial water change)

Good Luck! Hope this helps!

pH and ammonia look great!

I concur on the partial water change to reduce nitrIte.
So did you add the salt?

I did salt the water. It was the scariest thing I ever done. I was worried my fish would be floating by morning. I just doesnt seem right to add salt to fresh water .

But I came home from work and found that Leo had a small split in his tail, so I knew I had to act

I got brave and added 1tsp/gal as directed on other posts, and did a water change.
It worked!

I came home that night (12hr shifts) and his fin was completely healed Now I'm a believer!

I did an approx 70% water change last night with with salt added.
My nitrites are still running 2, and ammonia was .25 this morning.

Darn, I was hoping to add my last fish today (3 will be my limit for my 36 gal) as I know my favorite fish store just got a new batch of fish in. I will just have to restrain myself for now and wait.

Thanks for all your help. Next time I start a new aquaium ( and Im sure I will) I will do "fishless cycling"

I guess I have become an official goldfish addict as I did just recieve "Fancy Goldfish" in the mail.

LOL It is addictive.
Cycling is the pits. and I hear ya, I hate using salt. I don't keep it in the tank routinely and only use it for specific things.

As long as you have it salted they should be ok. Keep an eye on the color of their gills and whether they act like they need oxygen.

I wouldn't put 3 goldies in a 36 gallon tank... not unless you plan to get a larger tank in less than a year.

How's your pH?

ph is 7.6, temp 74

I think I will take your advice and not add another fish, as they are growing pretty rapidly already. I have only had Leo for a month, and I can see he's grown quite a bit. Fantasia I had for 2 weeks, but I can see the potential. I guess I will have to get that second tank. ( my husband will love that)

Can I add a snail?

pH looks good.

Yea, my goldies are up to almost 10 inches in a year's time.

I'd wait till after the tank's cycled and stable to add anything else. Some people put apple snails in with goldies. I've heard quotes of 5 gallons per apple snail. It'll be a challenge keeping them fed tho since goldies chow down on anything you put in the tank. plus since goldies tend to sleep on the bottom, their slime coat could be a tempting dinner for a hungry apple snail. I had ramshorn snails in with my goldies for the last year and it worked pretty well. The goldies would eat the baby snails and the larger snails would keep debris eaten up in the tank. Coco did get one stuck in his mouth once and I had to pull it out with tweezers.

Another thing to consider is whether anything you'd put in with them would handle the same treatment you'd use for sick goldies. I had to pick all the snails out of the goldie tank before I could treat them for velvet and it was a pain in the butt.

You could ask in the "Compatible Fish" forum on this board about possible tank mates. They problably know more then me in that area.

Thanks again for all your help.

I think I'll just forget about the snail.

P.S.

Your goldies are beautiful

Thanks! and you're welcome.

Adding another goldie after you're cycled would be a good excuse to hafta get another tank down the road tho. LOL

Yeah! I'm cycled!

Wow that was the longest 2 weeks. My husband was horrified as I was jumping up and down yelling "it turned blue, look everyone it's blue!" (0 nitrites)

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
pH 7.8
temp 76



My fish look healty and happy. I did a partial water change tonight to start pulling out the salt.

Now my only problem is all this "brown algae" which my fish love to eat off the rocks. I understand it is transient and Im trying not to worry to much about it. I clean it off the ornaments and it is back the next day.

Just wanted to share, and give anyone hope during that seemingly endless high nitrite phase. I won't know what to do with myself now that I don't have to change the water every other day

note : it took 6 1/2 weeks to cycle my 36 gal tank

That sounds like my cycling experience! (It felt like forever - now though when I start a new tank it's so simple 'cause I seed it from the old tank!)

I hate to tell you though - my brown algae never went away. It's been over a year now & I still have it in both tanks. It's not nearly as bad as it was but...(Hopefully yours will go away! I think I remember reading somewhere that the phosphate levels could also have something to do with it so I figure mine's here to stay!)

Jenn