Fishless cycle I need help

Lund

Lund

AC Members
Jan 6, 2006
67
0
0
Michigan
I have been fishless cycling my tank now for 3 weeks. I added an old filter from my already exsisting tank and some gravel also. I followed the fishless cycling article that I found on this web site. The ammonia goes from 3-5ppm down to 0 in less than 24 hours. The nitrites kept rising and then suddenly droped off completely. I added ammonia to 3-5ppm today at 2:30 pm. At 9:00 pm, only 6 and a half hour later, my ammonia is down to 0, and the nitrites are also at 0.

What I am wondering is it possible to have cylced my tank in only 3 weeks? I was expecting around 4-6 weeks to complete my cycle.

Tank Specs.
110g tall
sand substrate
Test kit: Aqaria Pharmacutical Freshwater master test kit (liquid test kit)
And Jungle quick dip test strips.

I used the jungle quick strips as a check system to make sure that I didn't mess up my liquid tests. And that is what has me bewildered. After getting zero readings on ammonia and nitrites, my jungle strips read hight nitrites. The strips read about 10ppm nitrites. What do you think I should do. I'm a little confused, this is my first time doing a fishless cylcle.
 
It's definitely possible since you used on old filter, my 75g cycled in about 4 weeks with all brand new stuff. What are you nitrate readings, I'm not sure about the strips because I haven't used them in 3 years do to there inaccurate readings which could possibly be what you are getting.
 
my nitrates according to my liquid test kit are at 40ppm. And according to the test strips my nitrates are off the chart.
 
Nitrates will continue to build up, the only way to remove them is water changes.
 
As already stated, maybe you got a jump start from the added filter and gravel. Also, check the expiration dates on your liquid reagents to ensure they are good.

I'd confirm the readings at an reliable LFS or with another hobbyist and if good, do the water change and start stocking.
 
If you do go to a LFS to have your water testing I recommend NOT going to Petsmart to do so as they use test strips to test their water params.
 
If petsmart is all you have, at least check them out since it is a free test and will at least give you a second opinion.

Our Pet Smart uses the AP Master Liquid Kit for testing; it probably varies store to store.
 
Hi,

It is definitly possible to cycle your tank in 3 weeks with existing media. I just cycled my first tank using gravel from my betta tank, and I cycled in just over 3 weeks. Good luck and have fun picking out you fish ;)

Sandy
 
i did a fishy cycle with seeded media and it rtook me 4 days to stop registerign nitrite/ammonia 0.o
 
Sounds just fine to me too, I cycled w/ammonia in 10 days. It is so much faster and easier than the cycle with fish thing.

Just do your water changes, get your nitrates down under 20, and let the tank sit for 24 hours to make sure cycle is done. If you have chloramines in your water, make sure you use a product which will get rid of the extra chlorine which will be left after you break that chloramine bond. (Like Prime or something).

Have fun picking fish!
Cathy
 
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