Is my 10g cycled?

[Lexi_D]

Last param check (approx. 2 days ago)

Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: between 0 and 0.25
Nitrate: 10

I added flakes once since then... thoughts? Can I start adding fish?

[jpappy789]

Not done yet, but close. Let the nitrates build up more and do a massive water change. Then you are ready to add fish. And make sure the ammonia will consistently stay at zero.

[Weezer]

How did you cycle it ?, and what kind of test kit do you have,.....:)

[Lexi_D]

Not done yet, but close. Let the nitrates build up more and do a massive water change. Then you are ready to add fish. And make sure the ammonia will consistently stay at zero
Ok! Should I keep adding food?



How did you cycle it ?, and what kind of test kit do you have,.....:)


I added fish flakes, seeded filter media, and a piece of wood from my main tank. I have the API liquid master test kit.

[Weezer]

Sounds good, u stated u tested 2 days ago, take another reading to see if AMMO is at 0........:)

[rich311k]

Yes keep feeding the tank. The ammonia eaters will need the food. You are getting close though.

[Lexi_D]

Tonight's params:

Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Ammonia: 0.25

A ways to go.... is there anything else I can do?

[nycsicktank]

add more fish food and test again in 12 hrs

[Rbishop]

Is there ammonia in your tap water?

[Lexi_D]

I don't know... why? could that affect it? I use Prime.

[AquatiCreations]

Prime only "detoxifies" all that it states it does not eliminate them,and yes if you do water changes with Tap water that already has Ammonia in it your kind of defeating your purpose.

[Rbishop]

Prime only "detoxifies" all that it states it does not eliminate them,and yes if you do water changes with Tap water that already has Ammonia in it your kind of defeating your purpose.

Very misleading. Prime binds the tap ammonia into a form not toxic to your fish, but still available to the bacteria. Most test kits will read free and bound ammonia. In any case, a properly establishe bacteria will consume the ammonia, bound or not in 24 hrs.

The OP is doing a fishless cycle. I was just inquiring if he had ever chaecked his tap so he has a future refence of it.

Lex, the tap water level won't affect the cycle you have going on. Just wanted you to check the tap, so when you do that final water change, if you test right after it and your tap has ammonia, to expect a reading and not to get scared that you messed something up.

[Lexi_D]

Very misleading. Prime binds the tap ammonia into a form not toxic to your fish, but still available to the bacteria. Most test kits will read free and bound ammonia. In any case, a properly establishe bacteria will consume the ammonia, bound or not in 24 hrs.

The OP is doing a fishless cycle. I was just inquiring if he had ever chaecked his tap so he has a future refence of it.

Lex, the tap water level won't affect the cycle you have going on. Just wanted you to check the tap, so when you do that final water change, if you test right after it and your tap has ammonia, to expect a reading and not to get scared that you messed something up.


That's she! lol ok, I just wondered if it would mess the cycle up. Thansk! :) I'll test later tonight

[Lexi_D]

Alright:

Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5-10
Ammonia: 0


Thoughts? I'm a bit confused myself.

[jpappy789]

Looks like you are still on the right track...no ammonia and nitrites is good...just let the nitrates build up more, probably past 40 ppm. Then you can do the massive water change and add fish.

[Lexi_D]

ok thanks! I'll keep adding food.

[Lexi_D]

Nitrates up to 10 today... hopefully by the end of the week I'll be done!

[SchizotypalVamp]

I would test your tap for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The original nitrates could have come from there.

[AquatiCreations]

Very misleading. Prime binds the tap ammonia into a form not toxic to your fish, but still available to the bacteria. Most test kits will read free and bound ammonia. In any case, a properly establishe bacteria will consume the ammonia, bound or not in 24 hrs.

The OP is doing a fishless cycle. I was just inquiring if he had ever chaecked his tap so he has a future refence of it.

Lex, the tap water level won't affect the cycle you have going on. Just wanted you to check the tap, so when you do that final water change, if you test right after it and your tap has ammonia, to expect a reading and not to get scared that you messed something up.

I though the purpose was to boil it down to only trates and do a WC. Not to add more ammonia. :lipssealedsmilie:

[cymrufem]

I would test your tap for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The original nitrates could have come from there.

This is a good idea. I live in central IL, surrounded by farmland, and have noticed markedly higher nitrates in my tanks in the past few weeks. I hear this can be related, does anyone know?
But test the tap for ammo, trites and trates to establish a baseline, a jumping off point.

[jpappy789]

I though the purpose was to boil it down to only trates and do a WC. Not to add more ammonia. :lipssealedsmilie:

to get to nitrates you have to have ammonia at some point...

[Lexi_D]

'trates were between 10 and 20 today. Getting closer... tomorrow/Fri. I'll test the tap water. Just haven't had much time lately to do the whole Master test kit ordeal. (eye protection, towels, rubber gloves, the works.)

[jpappy789]

Sounds like its moving right along now!

[Deathwish238]

A bit off topic, but is it better to use Reverse Osmosis water?