aquafan
05-06-2006, 11:50 AM
I have 29 gal freshwater tank, with an ugf and the hob Top Fin 30 filter, that has been set up since the end of March. The books I read explained the nitrogen cycle, but recommended hardy fish to get the tank to cycle, so I started to cycle the tank with 4 sunset platies. Like most newbies, I then learn about a fishless cycle after searching the internet to research other species of fish. I find this forum, which is great and read and learn how to properly cycle with fish, and to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. However, I am confused as to where my tank is in the cycle process. I test my water parameters every day using the AP liquid test kit. I would do 30-50% water change every other day, when the test kits indicated that the ammonia was at .50ppm. This process had been going on since about a week after I put the fish in the tank. During this time I would get 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate readings. 2 weeks after adding the platies I developed what I thought was a bacterial bloom where the water turned milky in color. I continued to monitor the water parameters, and continued with the water changes, the water cleared up about 10 days later, and has remained clear. Then for several weeks I continued with 30-50% water changes every other day, because that was when the ammonia would hit .50ppm. I have never a Nitrite reading, the test kit always indicates 0 nitrites. Last Wednesday, I started getting Nitrate readings up to 5ppm. Ammonia was still being detected, but it was taking 2-3 days to register .50ppm. This past Thursday, was my last water change, ammonia=.50, nitrites=0, nitrates=5ppm. Friday's readings were ammonia= <.25, nitrites=0, Nitrates= 5ppm. Today's readings are ammonia=.50, nitrites=0, and nitrates= <5ppm. Normally, I would change the water, but now I am just unsure what I should. I thought that if I was getting nitrate readings, I would have seen some nitrite readings. My readings of my tap water out of the tap all register 0. I will test the tap again tomorrow after it has set for 24 hours to see if anything changes. But, can anyone tell where I might be in my tank's cycle? Or how I should go forward.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.