Another Cycling question

csmith1004

csmith1004

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May 8, 2008
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I don't know what is going on with this tank! We have been up and running (with fish) for almost 3 weeks. With pwc's every other day or so I have kept Ammonia levels at right around .25 (and treated with Prime). The other day I noticed the Ammonia level creaping up past .5 so I did a 50% wc and the Ammonia then tested at near 0. The past 3 days it has remained at 0 BUT, I am still testing NO Nitrites or Nitrates! Will this darn tank ever cycle!?!?!?

Out of despiration I did add Cycle on Monday - if that has helped with the Ammonia - why wouldn't there be nitrites?
 
Depending on how often the water changes are and how big, you may not see them. Pretty small bio-load actually. Liquid test kit?
 
rbishop said:
Depending on how often the water changes are and how big, you may not see them. Pretty small bio-load actually. Liquid test kit?
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Yes, API liquid test kits. I generally have been changing 20% of the water every 2-3 days to keep the ammonia down below .5 but when I saw it creeping above .5 the other day I did th 50% change. I have not changed the water since (3 days ago) and my ammonia has tested at 0 ever since. So, if I don't see the nitrites or nitrates on my liquid tests how will I know I am cycled? How many days with ammonia at 0 = a cycled tank?
Thanks for your help!!
 
I would do a water change when ever you have an indication of ammonia or nitrites at .25 or greater.

test regularly, and the time between water changes will increase, but never go more than a week without a water change. Once you are doing them weekly, you can lighten up on the testing.
 
dude u test so seriously! i mean its GREAT that u care so much about your fish! it really is! but like when i cycle my tanks, i don't test, i just do a 50+% WC everytime the water gets cloudy, but then again, i also keep a cup of old gravel under the filter so as the bioload will transfer over....also what i do is i put in the decor from my old tank into the new one WITH its decor so that will also help bioload transfer.
 
Sir said:
dude u test so seriously! i mean its GREAT that u care so much about your fish! it really is! but like when i cycle my tanks, i don't test, i just do a 50+% WC everytime the water gets cloudy, but then again, i also keep a cup of old gravel under the filter so as the bioload will transfer over....also what i do is i put in the decor from my old tank into the new one WITH its decor so that will also help bioload transfer.
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You wait for the water to get cloudy?

I used THREE fully established cannister filters, and ALL the substrate from my 130gal tank in my 300gal...not just 'some old gravel under the filter' and 'decor from my old tank'...and I still had to go through a cycle. It was minor, but it killed my smaller fish (I had nowhere else to keep them when I put the 300gal up). I also used fully established media from my 130gal in my filter on my 13gal, thinking I wouldn't have to cycle it. I've been doing daily water changes as well, and guess what? I picked up a master API kit today (should have bought it LONG AGO...test strips just weren't cutting it!), and my Nitrites were 1.0, and I'm surprised my fish are living. Nitrates were 10, Ammonia 0.

My water is clear as can be. Crystal, literally...and in the smaller tank it's never been anything less. I couldn't imagine what the readings would be if it were cloudy.

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I don't know...maybe you're lucky, or just better than I am...possibly your fish require kryptonite to die...but it seems to me that most people taking that advice will probably go through fish in a hurry when cycling a tank. No offense intended.

Cris
 
Once your tank is established and you feel comfortable with where the tank is at, the testing can ease up. I recommend all folks relatively new to the hobby test as often as they feel necessary.
 
Doing a fishy cycle is a very long process. My first 15g tank took just under 6 weeks to cycle, with testing daily and 30% water changes a day. My only advice is to take it slowly, test regularly with water changes to keep your water parameters at "safe" levels. It really is worth taking the extra care rather than cause undue stress and suffering to your fish.
Ps C.Anderson I love the tanks!!!!
 
dreadboy113 said:
Doing a fishy cycle is a very long process. My first 15g tank took just under 6 weeks to cycle, with testing daily and 30% water changes a day. My only advice is to take it slowly, test regularly with water changes to keep your water parameters at "safe" levels. It really is worth taking the extra care rather than cause undue stress and suffering to your fish.
Ps C.Anderson I love the tanks!!!!
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Thanks! I'm working my butt off to make sure they are nice, and stay healthy!

Cris
 
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