Am I done cycling, Plus replacing filter, what should I do? Need IMMEDIATE reply pls

[Mantis_22]

Hello, i think im done cycling my tank. A few minutes ago I ran tests...
I have 0 PPM of ammonia...
I have no nitrite showing
and I have almost no nitrate, its barely even pink...
PH is 7.3 (Yay!)
Does this mean im cycled?

Also, im about to do a water change and I thought I would replace my filter. Right now I have one of those aqua-tech 5-15 walmart powerfilters which use the activated carbon/padded filter foam in one media. I got to thinking if I remove my filter everytime to replace for a new one I am going to lose all my bacteria that has grown on the previous media. I have 3 options...

1-Either replace the media for a new one everytime It starts to get scratchy...
2-Use the old one by cleaning it in the tanks water in a bowl to get off all of the debris and then insert it back into the tank... But say if it gets to a point where it gets clogged bad replace it (It never will)
3-Or make a custom fit sponge filter to fit in the place of the media.

Right now I am using # 2. option as I listed till I can get a reply...

One other thing, does the bacteria die immediatly if exposed to air, such as pulling it out of the power filter.. And am I removing the bacteria tahts on the dirty pad if I clean it?

By the way, the water smells good, it actually smells like a bacteria enviorment...

I included a picture of the options I can do, please respong quickly if you can. I appreciate everyone on this forum which has been helping me cycle my tank.

Once again thanks...

Mantis_22

[GEV83]

How Long has your tank been running for???

[Mantis_22]

5-6 weeks... Oh yeah i rechecked my water stats...

Did a 20% water change a min ago...

(Before siphoning)
PH - 7.2
AMMONIA - 0 PPM
Nitrite - 5 or less
Nitrate - 5 or less

And the answer to your question is 5-6 weeks almost now...
if you check my sig you can go to my post on cycling on my tank, it has a history of everything... :)

[pinballqueen]

I have always just kept rinsing the filter pads until they are too gunked up to use or are falling apart. I don't think it kills much if any of your bacteria just to move it from the tank into a rinse bowl.

You won't lose absolutely ALL of your bacteria if you need to replace the pad, because you also have colonies established on the decorations and gravel in the tank, as well as the inside of the filter itself. Whenever it comes time to replace the pad, just put the new one in a day or two before you pull the old one, so that it has a chance to establish a colony of its own. (I just toss my new ones in the tank on my smaller tanks, and into the extra slots on my Emperor on the big tank.... maybe I ought to start doubling the media in the big one... hmmm...)

By the way, I know what you're talking about with the smell.... it smells like home to me (from central FL, originally, Green Swamp, specifically....). A great use for your siphoned water is to use it to water your houseplants. They'll thank you, and it is putting the water and nutrients to good use, rather than just filling your septic tank.

[Mantis_22]

I guess I'll just keep using this puppy... Maybe i'll try a sponge custom made one on my new tank im gonna start after this one is cycled. Anyways you are correct about using the siphoned water on plants. My cactus in the living room seems to have a little bit of growth and more green ever since I started adding the aquarium water. Maybe its just me...

[Matak]

If you rinse it, don't rinse it in tap water. Rinse it in de-chlorinated water or you risk killing off all the beneficial bacteria in the sponge.

Hope I got you in time :)

[GEV83]

Good point by Matak since tap water has chlorine to clean out bacteria it will also kill your benificial bateria as well.

[Mantis_22]

well i said i wash it in the existing tank water but in a container then put it back in the power filter...

[Matak]

:o riiiiiight, I saw that.

[Mantis_22]

i still dont have a answer, am I cycled yet or not? How do I know If I am??

[wetmanNY]

How to know that you're cycled:

When you add enough ammonia to bring NH3 levels to 4 or 5ppm, and after twenty-four hours, your NH3 is again undetectable, and at the same time nitrites continue to be undetectable... you're cycled! You will have some nitrates that have accumulated. You can dilute them with water changes.

[Mantis_22]

so when i see no nitrites or very very little signs of nitrate im in the clear for being cycled?

[pinballqueen]

No nitrites, no ammonia, some (varying amounts of) nitrates. Make sure you've got that sort of reading for a few days before you add your fish, just to make sure you're reading everything right (and your bacteria didn't just have a day when they were especially hungry... give them a chance to keep it up for a couple days).

[Mantis_22]

umm im not cycling a tank without fish. there are fish in here..? 4 cherry barbs to be exact..

[pinballqueen]

Duh....

You should be fine to add a couple of fish a week to the tank. Don't go all gung-ho and add a whole tankful because your biolfilter isn't quite big enough to prevent a cycling disaster. Ease into it and your bacterial colony will grow with each new addition.

[Mantis_22]

oh okay i misunderstood... Sorry these past few nights have been cold and lonely lol... I think I just heard the barbs talk to me... WOAH, wiggin man.


Anyways, I probly wont add or change and fish for about another 1-2 weeks.

Heres a question, If I take out all of the cherry barbs in the tank and say replace them with a smaller type species like say 4-5 corys does anything happen to the bacteria colony or it is actually better because it reduces the load?