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

[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?