New tank (fishy) cycling -- how much longer?

S

sanfran94107

AC Members
Jan 1, 2007
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Hi all,

55 gallon
FW
tropical (78 deg)
UGF w/ powerhead

Readings:
pH: 7.2
NH: 1.0
NO2: .25
NO3: 2.5

Fish have been in there 11 days now with no signs of stress. I've had the same readings (above) for 3 days now. Readings are the same today even after I did a 10% water change yesterday.

Someone suggested that I go out and get Bio-Spira but I can't seem to locate a LFS that carries it!

Any recommendations?

And, I know, I know -- patience is key. I will do another water change today to try and get the Ammonia level down. How much of a change should I do? 25%?
 
Test for Ammonia vs. Ammonium

The API test that I use for NHx actually tests for Ammonia + Ammonium. I've read that Ammonia is what is toxic to fish and Ammonium is not. Is there a test available to test ONLY for Ammonia?


..... oops .. should be a new post. Please disregard.
 
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

i dont know if you read that on cycling.


i would do a 50% water change any time ammonia or nitrites pop up on the test. both of them are harmful to the fish. a lof of what it does you cant see anyways. your tank is in the middle of a cycle. hope its done soon.
 
I did read the cycling article but it doesn't really give me a timeline on how fast all of this is supposed to happen and I want to get to the point where I don't have to do anything for, like, a week :-) I'm really hoping it does not take me a month of daily water changes to get to that point but I'm ready and willing to do it if that's what it takes to keep the fish happy.

I wound up doing a 25% water change and got the following results after:

pH = 7.1 (water conditioner is also a pH neutralizer so this is explained...)
NH = .75 (gone down a tad from 1.0 ... I should have done a 50% change ... I will change another 25% today.)
NO2 = .50 (UP!)
NO3 = 2.5 (no change)
 
Last edited:
sanfran94107 said:
I did read the cycling article but it doesn't really give me a timeline on how fast all of this is supposed to happen and I want to get to the point where I don't have to do anything for, like, a week :-) I'm really hoping it does not take me a month of daily water changes to get to that point but I'm ready and willing to do it if that's what it takes to keep the fish happy.

I wound up doing a 25% water change and got the following results after:

pH = 7.1 (water conditioner is also a pH neutralizer so this is explained...)
NH = .75 (gone down a tad from 1.0 ... I should have done a 50% change ... I will change another 25% today.)
NO2 = .50 (UP!)
NO3 = 2.5 (no change)
Click to expand...

each tank is different. each one cycles at a different speed. it will prob take 2-3 weeks. that is way i like fishless cycle. a lot less to worry about. i got a python that really speeds up water changes. you cah do 50% water changes every day if not more to get the levels lower.
 
My nitrites finally started falling in my 5th week, and at the end of that week they finally fell to 0. Took me 6 weeks. Keep checking your chemestry, and if you have to do 2 water changes a day, do them. You will be glad that you did it right when it is over, and so will your fish.
 
Cleaning gravel before cycle complete?

Is it advisable to vacuum the gravel before my tank has completed cycling if I'm doing water changes? I just want to be more effective at getting the ammonia levels down.

Wow, I'm only going on 2 weeks .. I guess I have a long way to go...

Numbers today look better:
pH: 7.1
NH: .5
NO2: .5
NO3: 5.0
 
Be patient...It takes on an avg. 6- weeks. Water changes are keyed.

sanfran94107 said:
Is it advisable to vacuum the gravel before my tank has completed cycling if I'm doing water changes? I just want to be more effective at getting the ammonia levels down.

Wow, I'm only going on 2 weeks .. I guess I have a long way to go...

Numbers today look better:
pH: 7.1
NH: .5
NO2: .5
NO3: 5.0
Click to expand...
 
sanfran94107 said:
Is it advisable to vacuum the gravel before my tank has completed cycling if I'm doing water changes? I just want to be more effective at getting the ammonia levels down.

Wow, I'm only going on 2 weeks .. I guess I have a long way to go...

Numbers today look better:
pH: 7.1
NH: .5
NO2: .5
NO3: 5.0
Click to expand...

yes its a great idea. its better to have a longer cycle with lower ammonia and nitrite then a faster one with high ammonia and nitrites.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
yes its a great idea. its better to have a longer cycle with lower ammonia and nitrite then a faster one with high ammonia and nitrites.
Click to expand...

Ok, I see what you're saying (and what I was hoping against.) If I vacuum the gravel I will remove some of the bacteria that I've been trying to cultivate and it will lengthen the time it takes to cycle the tank.

I did it anyway -- got the numbers down and looking pretty good this morning after a 25% water change with gravel vacuuming last night

Numbers this morning:
NH: <.25
NO2: <.25
NO3: 2.5
 
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