frustrating cycle

E

ericsc

AC Members
Jan 31, 2008
5
0
0
57
Hi Ya'll,
My friend gave me a 46 gallon bowfront tank and I have had it running for 6 weeks now. I finally have my ammonia under control, .25, but I am still now showing any nitrites at all. I use an API master test kit. I have a few mollies in the tank and 6 zebra danios, 3 small guppies, and 3 red wag platies. Will my tank ever cycle?
 
It will eventually cycle...just keep a good eye on the ammonia level and keep it under .25ppm with water changes.

What is your nitrate reading on the tank?
 
All tanks will eventually cycle. Be patient. Just keep up the water changes to keep the fish safe and you will do fine.

Marinemom
 
does your friend have any other tanks? a used filter pad or a handful of gravel from another tank will boost the nitrite-converting bacteria and get your cycle finished. just be sure that the 'donor' tank is healthy.
 
no, that was the only tank she had, and I dont know anyone else that has an aquarium.
 
Eric:

You have been given good advice in this thread but two additional items to note:

  • [1] If you do not overfeed during the cycling the cycling may go "smoother".

  • [2] With the stocking density of your tank and without overfeeding you may never observe an ammonia or nitrite concentration.

Ammonia and nitrite concentrations will be present during the cycle but at such low levels that typical aquaria testing will not detect these concentrations.

TR
 
I had high levels of ammonia for weeks and kept doing the water changes, just the last 3 days my ammonia has gone to 0
 
So now you must have at least some reading of nitrites. Then, blessedly, the nitrites go to 0 and nitrates appear. Very satisfying! Won't be long now!
 
What is the ammonia reading on your tap water?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom