Up and Down

[becky]

2 days ago i tested my water and the amonia had gone down. The guy at the store that has been helping me said it was ok to buy 2 more damsels. (the cycle went much faster when i bought some LR ) so i bought them, put them in the tank... they are doing fine, but i checked my levels and the amonia has gone up again. Is this because of the two new fish in the tank? Is this bad?? am i at the near end of the cycle or not?

 

[pufferlover]

When adding any new fish to a tank it is not unusual for the ammonia to go up for a few days till the tank catches up with the new load. Unless one waited a long time between additions (which most of us won't) it is not unusual. It should go back down within a few days.

 

[fishswim]

I used to have the same thing happen when I added fish. But on my newer aquarium, I always use a bacteria supplement, and have never had the ammonia go up after adding fish. Just my experience though.

 

[dugan]

I would suggest not doing anything else to your tank until you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. When your nitrates spike, do your water change and you should be ready for new critters in your tank.
If you don't intend to keep damsels in your tank, please don't add any more... the live rock will create a very nice biological filter for you... you don't need fish for that.
Damsels are very aggressive in general and also very hard to catch once they are in a tank.

Katie

 

[dugan]

I just noticed your tank size is 30 gallon and you are adding 2 more damsels? How many fish in your tank right now?
A 30 gets full pretty quickly in SW fishkeeping.
Katie

 

[becky]

I have three damsels all together. One plain blue, one blue with yellow tail and one back and white.

 

[guppie]

I would not add any more fish let your tank finish it cycle. It did rise because you added the new fish. it will come down, just give it time. Good Luck