Fishy cycling... how long before ammonia shows up?

T

Trumpee

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Jan 15, 2008
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I've just started a cycle in a new tank 5 days ago. I have 4 small Giant Danios helping me get the cycle going in a 46 gallon bow front tank. Feeding them a small pinch of Tetra Min flakes twice a day.

Daily ammonia tests have been showing 0 PPM, still after 5 days.

Tested the Nitrites for the first time today as well and they are testing at 0 PPM as well.

What's a typical wait time before seeing ammonia show up?

Is it possible I need a few more Danios in this size tank? If so, how long should I wait before adding a couple more fish.

Thanks.


-Dave
 
You could add a couple more, but I wouldn't if you aren't planning to make them a perm. addition.

Patience is a virtue.
 
With such a light bioload, you may not see much for a while. That is a very good thing as the high ammonia problems of having many fish can be almost overwhelming. If you have real plants, you may never see any ammonia that you can measure. The nitrate levels may come up without the ammonia even being detectable in that case. Most plants will favor ammonia over nitrates and will keep the levels very low while allowing the nitrates to build if they get enough nitrogen from the ammonia.
Do you have a liquid test kit or one of the paper strip type? From what I have read, the paper strips can give very misleading results. I have not used the strips since I got back into the hobby so I can't speak from personal experience.
 
If you are doing the proper water changes for a fishless cycle, you probably won't see them.
 
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