Fishless Cycling - *Yawn* A Status of 20 Gallon Tank

feederfish

feederfish

AC Members
Feb 7, 2009
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Mobile, AL
Posting an update of my cycling status. I started fishless cycle with Tetra Safe Start here are my last readings for end of the 2nd week of cycling.

pH 8.0, Ammo 0 (been adding 2-4 ppm per day), Nitrites off the chart, Nitrates 40+ ppm (I think, it is darker red than the 40 but no way pink or the very dark red). Oh, using the API FW test Kit

Seems that my Nitrites are slowly being converted to Nitrates, but just need more of the bacteria that converts Nitrites to Nitrates, huh?

So seems to be slowly and surely getting moving through the cycle. Any idea how much longer? Are we there yet, are we there yet?

When I stock, is it best to stock the tank fully to prevent the bacteria from going dorminant, or not really a big concern?
 
Do you have your stocking options picked out already? You dont have to stock all at once. Add a couple of the hardiest fish you want in there first, after making sure the water changes put the readings where they should be. I'm not an expert on fishless cycling, or anything else really, this just relates to once the cycle is "finished".
 
You are close, but the nitrite to nitrate bacteria (Nitrobacter sp.) took the longest to establish IME. Just be patient and you'll be cycled in no time.

You can add at your own pace. The bacteria will survive 4-6 months without a food source so there is no rush. Dormant bacteria will kick it into high gear once you increase the bioload. I agree that certain fish will not do well in a newly cycled tank, as they are sensitive to any swings that may occur. So choose the "hardiest" fish to stck first.
 
I am thinking Platy and Pearl Gourami are the hardiest compared to the others... Cardinal Tetra, Botia Kubotai (Burmese Boarder Loach), 3lined-pencilfish.

My stocking is mosty worked out, but everytime I am at the fish store something new gets my attention.

I also have about a 1 pH difference (8 pH, county water) then the petstore (7 pH, they have an RO unit), so the fish will have to adjust to that as well.
 
feederfish said:
I am thinking Platy and Pearl Gourami are the hardiest compared to the others... Cardinal Tetra, Botia Kubotai (Burmese Boarder Loach), 3lined-pencilfish.

My stocking is mosty worked out, but everytime I am at the fish store something new gets my attention.

I also have about a 1 pH difference (8 pH, county water) then the petstore (7 pH, they have an RO unit), so the fish will have to adjust to that as well.
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Platies will definitely be the hardiest out of all of those.

pH adjustments are pretty much instantaneous for fish.
 
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