Cycle not peaking

S

Starr Fish

Registered Member
Jan 25, 2005
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Hi, first day on the forum and glad to be here.

We have a 54 Gallon tank with 12 Zebra Danio's that has been established for about 4 weeks. We have done weekly water changes (25%) during this time.

Amonia has been 0.5, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = 0, ph = 7.6

These levels have not changed since the first test 4 weeks ago.

Should we wait before adding the intended fish or watch for the spike and drop in levels? Of course were anxious to get our fish, but also trying to patient with the cycle.

Regards,
 
I would wait patiently. 12 danio's is not a big bio-load, and the water changes are preventing spikes, but the bacteria colonies are still developing. Adding more fish will likely cause a significant increase to happen very quickly. With a light fish load in a big tank, you shouldn't see a big spike--and that's better for the fish.
 
Another possibility is that your test kits are not working properly. This is usually due to the reagents in the kit exceeding their shelf life. Its a lot more common than you might think.
 
Thanks. I belive possibly I will cut back on the amount of water i change every week to 10 - 20%.

Another question about the Media while cycling.

1. Should I change the Carbon during Cycling, and if so how often.
2. If I do change the carbon, can i rinse the sponge filter at the same time?

Thanks.
 
I wouldn't change a thing. You have ammonia registering (slowly, but that's expected given the stocking level), so your biofilter will grow. It won't grow any faster if you let ammonia rise to 1 ppm or 4 ppm, so why stress the fish by exposing them to more ammonia? As long as ammonia exceeds the biofilter's capacity to oxidize it, the bacteria will grow.

You don't need carbon, generally speaking. It is useful to remove toxins or meds, but usually it's not needed. In your case, I wouldn't remove it until the tank is cycled. Bacteria will be colonizing the carbon, and at this point, you don't want to toss any bacteria, so just leave the carbon. It won't hurt anything.

Unless your sponge is getting pretty clogged, I'd hold off rinsing it, too.

Jim
 
I would follow JSchmidt's advice. Cycling is slow but if done properly you will have a healthy tank and healthy fish. Plus a 10% water change is really doing nothing. You should read the articles on tank chemistry by Happychem. There are some very good pieces of info in those. Learn now while things are stable and happy and not when/if things go bad.
 
Make sure that when you do rinse your sponge it is not under the faucet. You'll kill off most of the bacteria and you'll be back at square one. Rinse it out in old tank water after you siphon some out for a water change. It is best to get a new bucket for your aquariums that way you'll know that it is safe. You'd be amazed at the number of people that use an old mop bucket or something similar.
 
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