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Hello all! Newbie question ... I've had my tank for a few tanks now and was trying a fish-in cycle with a few platys. Unfortunately, looks like they came sick from the store and all three passed this week. Here is my question - all dead fish have been removed and the latest measurements are as follows: Ammonia - 0 (been zero for a few days already) Nitrites - seems like between 2-5 ppm (hard to tell exactly). I did a water change before the last two fish died which brought the nitrites down to 2 but it looks like they're creeping up Nitrates - looks like 5 ppm but I realize that may be a false positive I am planning on going to my LFS on Sunday (it's not so close and I don't have too many options to go during my schedule) to get a few more fish (likely 3 more platys) and some live plants. What can I do to try and make the cycle move faster (and possibly even finish?) to be as safe for the new fish when I get them? I called the LFS and they recommended adding a pinch of food (which I've done), and add SeaChem stability every day until Sunday. Is this good advice? I was thinking of adapting this slightly, as follows: - do a large water change to get the nitrite level down Thursday (add Prime during the water change) - Sunday morning, before going to the fish store, add a bottle of Tetra SafeStart Plus And then go and get the plants/fish. Thoughts?

Thank you, @Galabar! I appreciate the sound advice.

Don't you need your ammonia to go up somewhat in order to feed the beneficial bacteria? I read somewhere that it's best to wait until ammonia is about 1ppm and then do a water change; if you do it sooner, the bacteria won't grow. Was that not the right advice? Another point to throw out there ... I'm mobility impaired so can't really do water changes on my own. I have someone who can help, but it's not practical to have them come every other day. How bad is it if I rely on the Prime and only do water changes on the weekends, for example?

Thank you! I'm using Prime to detoxify and will try to do a water change soon ...

Hello again, Long story short ... I started with three platys but it looks like they came with some sort of internal parasite ... I now have one remaining female who is generally swimming around fine. Unfortunately, I think she may have also caught whatever they had ... her poop last week was normal (solid/thick) but over the last couple of days has been white and stringy ... still swimming around and eating though. First question - the tank is not yet cycled (although it might be starting ... ammonia is about 1 and nitrites are above zero). Can the tank cycle with only one fish in it or should I add something like the Tetra SafeStart Plus? Also, if I lose this last fish (which is looking likely), should I wait a week or so before adding new fish (to avoid potential further parasitic infections)? If so, how do I ensure that I don't lose my cycle?

I don't have a precise GH measurement (not included in my test kit) but when I took the water to the store to test, it was apparently Hard/Very Hard. The tap water here is definitely on the hard side of the scale ...

Thanks! I do have Seachem Stability, which I believe is a bacteria starter as you've mentioned. I had added that every day for more than a week. Should I continue adding it throughout the cycle? Unfortunately, I can't actually treat the parasitic infection because Canada only allows vets to prescribe antibiotics for fish ... can't buy anything in the stores or online ... what about adding some salt? Would that possibly help?

A follow-up to yesterday's posts. So I've had three platys since Sunday, in an uncycled tank (tank had been running for about 10 days before adding fish). Trying to use them for a "fish-in" cycle for various reasons. I've been keeping a careful eye on the water parameters, measuring at least once/day. Parameters have been generally steady, and tank doesn't really look like it's cycling yet. Ammonia - right around 0.25 but who knows how accurate that is Nitrites = 0 Nitrates =0 pH ~ 7.8 Temp = 25.0 Celsius I had been adding stability daily since I setup the tank but stopped yesterday. Been dosing with Prime regularly as well. The tank has a HOB Aqueon 10 filter with improved filter media. Outlet is about 0.5 cm above the water surface, providing pretty good surface agitation. I also have a small air stone in the corner. Plenty of bubbles throughout the tank. The issue is as follows. Of the three, the two ladies appear to be doing OK but the male is having some issues. As noted in yesterday's post, he's had this very long white stringy poop hanging from him for awhile (it actually fell off last night, but it looks like another one is starting to come out) and he's also been hanging around the surface (gasping?) quite a bit. I'd say he's been spending most of his time at the surface. I tried feeding them yesterday (more than 24 hours after bringing them home) ... the two females looked like they were eating but the male wasn't so interested, although I do think he ate if something fell/floated right next to him. Should I be concerned about him? If so, what should I do? Would a water change be of any benefit or better to wait for ammonia to rise a bit to get the cycle started first? Thanks!

Thank you! What about crushed peas? Do those work? Saw some folks online recommended them ...

Thank you!

Thanks again! Are you allowed to make specific recommendations on the forum? I'm new to the hobby, so the more specific, the better!

Thanks! I just got them from the store yesterday and haven't fed them yet. He was hanging around the surface a bit but not exclusively. Any specific suggestions re. feeding? All I have at home is Bug Bites pellets. Are those OK?

Hello all, New to the forum and looking forward to learning alot! I brought home three sunburst platys yesterday and they seem to be doing OK so far but one of them has this long white stringy thing coming out of him (see photo). He's had for about 12 hours now ... looks like it's been getting longer but still attached. Is he constipated or something else? Please let me know what you think and what the next steps should be. Thanks!