Cycling 10 gal tank

[AstroDeb]

Hi folks,

My daughter and I are 10 days into a "fishy" cycling of a 10 gallon tank
with 2 zebra danios. Thus far, we have seen an ammonia "spike" of
0.3 ppm followed a couple of days later by a nitrite "spike" just above
0.3 ppm. Both are now zero with nitrates at 20 ppm. Is this tank cycled,
or should we expect more dramatic test changes ahead? We did a 20%
water change after the ammonia spike, and we are using AmQuel on
chlorimined tap water.

When the cycling is done, we would like to add a minimal school of
neon or cardinal tetras (~5) + perhaps a small cory. Which of these
(and in what increments) should these be added given the probability
of further cycling.

Thanks!
AstroDeb

 

[AstroDeb]

Update on 10G tank - any advice?

Yesterday, the nitrates were back down to ~5 ppm with a touch more
nitrites (~0.3 ppm). Ammonia is still zero. We will wait until this weekend,
then add three tetras if the test results hold steady (unless we hear
advice to the contrary).

Cheers,
AstroDeb

 

[phanmc]

There are no nitrate consuming bacteria so it shouldn't decrease by itself unless you have plants or did a water change.

The average cycling process takes 4-6 weeks, so I don't think your tank is cycled yet. Wait until you consistently can't detect ammonia and nitrites for a couple of days before adding tetras.

 

[AstroDeb]

Pilot error?

Hmm, sounds like my 12-yr-old may have goofed the test results on
the nitrate. I'll watch her run the test this evening.

Thanks!
AstroDeb

 

[AstroDeb]

Last night, ammonia was up to 0.25 ppm, nitrites steady at 0.3 ppm, and
nitrates at 20 ppm. I suspect nitrates in tap water, but will test that
separately tonight. We will also do a 20% water change tonight. Thanks
for warning us against jumping the gun. With such small fish, I suspect
we may just be hitting the ammonia spike now. Anyone
hear of zebras knocking themselves out during feeding? We had one
hit the wall a couple of days ago. He/she fell to the bottom of the tank
for 1/2 hr, then recovered. He/she appears to be fine now.

 

[tomm10]

I doubt that you've really had a "spike". Those are still pretty low numbers. Generally during a fishy cycle your ammonia will hit more like 3.0-4.0 and then come down. Because you are using only two danios and are using amquel, which I believe locks ammonia though I'm not sure it affects test results, you may be controlling that ammonia spike more than usual.

I'd worry less about nitrates and more about ammonia and nitrites. When you are consistently showing zero nitrites and ammonia for at least a few days, then I would add fish slowly. Keep in mind that a ten gallon tank is not a lot of water. I would keep a pace of one or two fish a week added as long as your ammonia and nitrites stayed at zero after each addition. each fish adds more ammonia to the mix and the bacteria colonies will need time to grow to consume it.

I would be suspect enough of zero readings after anything less than four weeks to continue testing for a full week before adding fish.

Tom