Is my tank cycled?

B

biffba

AC Members
Jan 24, 2006
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0
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
I have a 31.3 gallon aquarium which I originally set up on Jan. 23rd. I started with a half dozen live plants and 6 neon tetras. My last noticable ammonia reading was .25 back on Feb 4th. Since then it remained around 0 while the nitrites climed up as high as 1.6 at one point. Water changes got that under control and then suddenly my nitrite level dropped to 0 over a 24 to 36hr period. Here are the readings I took moments ago:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = between 5 & 10 (hard to read. was as high as 30 or 40 a few
days ago)
PH Level = 8.0
Phosphates = trace amount
Chelated Iron = .25
Gh = 16
Kh = 10
Temp = 75*

So where do I stand? Is it cycled? Is it time to look at adding more fish? If so, only 1 or 2 a week? I also have some algae (I'm blaming Petland for the start of it), so should I look at adding an algae eater right away? Thanks in advance for any replies or advice I get.
 
Sounds like its cycled. Depending on the size of fish you could probably add 2-4 at a time with out problems. Once the tank is cycled it doesn't take long for the tank to adjust to increased bio loads. If after 48 hours of adding new fish if your ammonia and nitrites are still zero its safe to add more fish. If you get some ammonia or nitrites just let the tank continue to cycle until you have 48 hours of no ammonia and nitrites. As far as algae goes, its not bad unless it is on your plants. If you want an algae eater go ahead and get one, otherwise you can just clean it, or let it grow. I wouldn't recommend a common pleco, they can shred plants down in no time.
 
my goldfish tank needs help

hi...i just recently did a water change to my 10 gallon goldfish take that holds two fancytail goldfish..they are only about an ince long...well when i did the water change i think i changed too much and the tank is starting to recycle itself and it is getten cloudy and starting to have an stinky diper odor to it...ive used a water conditioner and ther is no nitrite or amonia in the water....my fish seem to be doing fine but im worried that the stinch and the cloudyness will begin to make them sick....please help me figure out my problem and or solution...could this be new tank syndrome again and will it go away with time?
 
have you tested the water? and did you change anything with the flitter?
 
LCPACE said:
hi...i just recently did a water change to my 10 gallon goldfish take that holds two fancytail goldfish..they are only about an ince long...well when i did the water change i think i changed too much and the tank is starting to recycle itself and it is getten cloudy and starting to have an stinky diper odor to it...ive used a water conditioner and ther is no nitrite or amonia in the water....my fish seem to be doing fine but im worried that the stinch and the cloudyness will begin to make them sick....please help me figure out my problem and or solution...could this be new tank syndrome again and will it go away with time?
Click to expand...

Changing the water doesn't cause the tank to recycle. The bacteria don't float around in the water, they are on the glass, fiter media, gravel ect.

You should start a new thread next time instead of hijacking someone elses.
 
PS: Right now at an inch two goldfish are most likely okay in a ten gallon, but they may quickly grow. Soon you'll need bigger tank for them. They are bulky mess fish.
 
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