cycling question

[jokerfla]

It is now 3 weeks since I have put my fish in the tank. I have 3 black skirt tetras in a 20g tank with a whisper power filter. I am doing a fishy cycle. I have done 2 water changes, the first was after the first week. That was a 25% water change. The second was today. I did about a 20% water change. My ammonia is at .25 or .50, unchanged after this second water change. I have a hard time distinguishing between .25 and .50. My nitrites and nitrates are and have been at 0. I have an API master test kit. I have not touched anything within the filter during this time. I should be reading something for nitrites. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[musho3210]

keep waiting is all you can do, it took me 3 weeks just to start seeing nitrites and another 2 weeks to get to nitrate, and do at least 40% water change if the ammonia goes to .5+ reading, especially with those fish.

[jokerfla]

Thanks. Its just a little discouraging to see nothing after 3 weeks. I also have gotten some food sucked up into the filter, should I do anything within the filter for what's already been sucked up?

[musho3210]

yeah, since its a fishy cycle you will need to clean the filter of fish poop and gunk, clean it in old tank water.

[Mgamer20o0]

do a bigger water change to keep the ammonia under .25%.

[platytetrafan]

yeah do water changes don't let ammonia go above 0.25 your ammonia will eventually level off then you will get nitrites still need to do water changes then nitrates should show up. I am in sixth week of cycle and am waiting for nitrates my 36g has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. Trying to be patient. Good luck with your cycle you will get there. Remember to feed fish lightly too.

[nickmcmechan]

Just an opinion, but if I was doing a Fishy Cycle I would do DAILY water changes until my Ammonia and Nitrates were clear for a few days...the gradually change to every other day then into my preferred routine.

You can decide on the amount for dailt, IMO 20% would be a minimum.

Can I ask if you are conditioning your water before putting into tank? The Chlorines and Chloramides are not only harmful to fish but can affect your bacterial cycle too?

I've heard of Cycles taking over 2 Months to complete, just depends what mood Mother Nature is in?

[Rbishop]

What are the ammonia and nitrite readings on your tap water? What conditioner do you use. Some lock ammonia up into a non-toxix form that still shows on a test kit.

[jokerfla]

My ammonia levels are generally around 0, so I dont find it necessary to do water changes frequently. My tap water has readings of 0 for ammonia and nitrite. I use tetra aquasafe to condition the water.

Can anyone suggest a good thermometer? The digital one I have sucks. My water temperature is kept around 78-79 degrees, I am thinking that is cutting off oxygen to the bacteria.

[nickmcmechan]

The digital thermometers tend be stuck to the glass on the outide of the tank and that is precisely the temp they measure - glass temp. I prefer a glass thermometer inside as it measures the actual water temp and is therefore more accurate?

[B Wood]

Hi Jokerfla -
Is the twenty a lone tank or do you have other tanks ? If you have other established tanks, you can use some of the filter media, gravel, or plants from those tanks to start your good bacteria growing in the newer tank. Or if a friend has a healthy established tank, where you could borrow some gravel ? Wouldn't ask a Pet Store, no telling what you might bring home !There are also "jump starters" like Bio Spira, Cycle, but I've never used them and they get mixed reviews on wether or not they help. Some will swear by them and others claim no change. And Bio Spria is pricey. You should be showing nitrates soon. I agree with inside the tank thermometers, the digital "stick to the glass" kind aren't very accurate.
B

[Rbishop]

I think you just need to be patient, test and be prepared for the water changes. The media idea is great if it is from a reliable source.

[jokerfla]

Thank you.