Is my tank cycled? (with daily results log)

[cephei]

I have been fishless cycling with fish food for about two weeks now and I have been doing regular water changes nearly every other day I have also been testing the water every other day..

I think my tank may be cycled but im not sure can anyone tell by the below results.. The results go in order from start to finish...Cheers

First test:

PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0-0.25ppm
nitrite: 0-0.25ppm
nitrate: 0

2nd test:

Ammonia - 0-0.25ppm
PH 7.6
Nitrite - 0-0.25ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm

3rd test:

Ammonia 0-0.25ppm (maybe less definitly not more)
PH 7.6
Nitrite 0-0.25ppm
Nitrate 10ppm

4th test:

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 1.0ppm
PH: 7.6

5th test: Todays Results after 50% water change:

Ammonia 0 -0.15ppm
Nitrite 0 - 0.25ppm
Ph 7.6

6th test

Ammonia : 0
Nitrite: 0
PH 7.6


7th test
PH 7.6
Nitrite: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm

[Blueiz]

It looks like it could be, however your water changes can skew the results. You dont have to do water changes with a fishless cycle. The key is building your biological filter up to the point of being able to maintain a full fish load. By changing the water you are removing ammonia and nitrite therfore creating less of a bio load for your biological filter to handle.

Stop changing water, continue with the fishless cycle as you are. Test your water every other day or so til you get a feel for how things are progressing. Unless you seeded your bio filter or tank with media from an estblished tank you can expect the cycle to take anywhere from 6-8 weeks, possibly longer.

[cephei]

It looks like it could be, however your water changes can skew the results. You dont have to do water changes with a fishless cycle. The key is building your biological filter up to the point of being able to maintain a full fish load. By changing the water you are removing ammonia and nitrite therfore creating less of a bio load for your biological filter to handle.

Stop changing water, continue with the fishless cycle as you are. Test your water every other day or so til you get a feel for how things are progressing. Unless you seeded your bio filter or tank with media from an estblished tank you can expect the cycle to take anywhere from 6-8 weeks, possibly longer.

Thanks Blue! I will hold off on the water changes and see how I get on.. Tommorow I am going to pick up some established filter media from a reputable fish keeper. Should I still use this even though my tank may be cycled? Will it make a difference if I add this and the tank is cycled?

[jpappy789]

I agree. 2 weeks is quick unless you seeded the tank...and did you only add .25 ppm ammonia initially?

keep adding ammonia (shoot for 5 ppm) and testing. Once the ammonia and nitrite have been consistently at zero (ppm) let the nitrates build up and then do a huge water change (over 50%)...then its ready for stocking.

EDIT: adding the media will help jump start the cycle. You could technically add fish right away but I would be safe and keep adding the ammonia as usual. Just my preference though...

[cephei]

I agree. 2 weeks is quick unless you seeded the tank...and did you only add .25 ppm ammonia initially?

keep adding ammonia (shoot for 5 ppm) and testing. Once the ammonia and nitrite have been consistently at zero (ppm) let the nitrates build up and then do a huge water change (over 50%)...then its ready for stocking.

EDIT: adding the media will help jump start the cycle. You could technically add fish right away but I would be safe and keep adding the ammonia as usual. Just my preference though...

I had to scrap the ammonia cycling idea because I found out the ammonia i got wasnt suitable so I have just been adding some fish food everyday and I have seen some fluctuations in the parameters as above.. Im gonna add the established floss tommorow and see what happens with the results over the next few days...

Im guessing if the tank has been miraculously cycled un-seeded in two weeks if I add the floss tommorow it wont screw all that up will it>?

cheers

[jpappy789]

Shouldn't do anything but help...

I found that adding food to rot took a long time, which is why I switched to just using pure ammonia when I was able to find the right stuff.

[yourchoice]

Adding floss will only help.Test every 4 hours if you can.Probably see ammonia and nitrite rise slightly then fall to zero within 24 hours.Don`t want to add fish all at once.

[cephei]

Added the floss an hour ago..Just did a test on the water and im reading:

0 nitrites
0 ammonia
5ppm nitrate

[cephei]

Todays results:

PH 7.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 5ppm

Thats 4 days in a row now with no water changes and ive got the same ammonia,nitrite and nitrate results...

Looking more and more like the tank is cycled.. Anyone want to advice as to how much longer I should confirm before adding fish?

cheers

[jpappy789]

Looks like it is.

With this cycling method don't jump into adding all your stock right away as your colony probably won't be able to handle it...so far it's only been converting small amounts of ammonia/nitrite, so add s l o w l y and monitor your params for any spikes.

[cephei]

Looks like it is.

With this cycling method don't jump into adding all your stock right away as your colony probably won't be able to handle it...so far it's only been converting small amounts of ammonia/nitrite, so add s l o w l y and monitor your params for any spikes.

thanks JP.. If you were in my position how would you add the fish I am looking to get in what order and at what times?

A reminder of what im getting

20-24 rummys or harlequin rasboras
6-8 corys
6-8 otos
4 pearl gourami (3m 1f)
possibly 2 blue rams...

[Blueiz]

What size is your tank?

[cephei]

What size is your tank?

65 gallons

[cymrufem]

Aren't otos a bit fragile to keep? I would likely hold off on them til the bio-filter is firmly established and all is running smoothly. Good to keep testing after starting to add your fish in too, so if there is a problem you can take corrective measures right away.
The rasboras are very pretty! Do you have a type of cory cat in mind? I have peppered and bronze. I did have albino and panda but had no luck with them, sad to say.....

[Zaffy]

I would agree that Otos should be saved for later when the tank is more established. In my experience they may find it hard to find enough to eat in a new tank unless you can suppliment for them.

[DAVIDFBT]

Sounds like good stocking, but I would wait off on the otos until maybe 3 months after your fish have first been added for the tank to even out and for algae colonize your tank.

[cephei]

I'll save the otos till last then.. I have algae wafers and pellets to feed them with which I have from when I had my pleco..

Would you guys suggest any order to which fish I add and at what times? I was thinking of trying to get the shoal in first.. 4 groups of 6..once a week??

then was gonna add all the other groups together in two week intervals (wait a bit longer for the otos)

After the shoal i'd add the corys then gouramis then rams then otos...

[jpappy789]

If you go with the harlequin rasboras I would add them first then the corys, gouramis, ram, and otos. However, rummies are more sensitive and if for some reason your bacteria colony can't handle the load you wouldn't want the rummynoses to be in there initally...