I was cycling my new tank with fish (I know, learned about fishless cyling too late). I finally got an ammonia spike and was doing nearly 50 percent water changes daily. The ammonia is back to zero but the nitrite levels never got above 0 and the nitrate levels never went above 5. Does that mean the tank has still not cycled? Or can I expect some more spikes? Also, when can I vacuum the substrate, clean the filter and use an algae scraper on the glass? I'm worried about disturbing/killing the bacteria, but don't want to be causing ammonia spikes by not cleaning either.
Is my tank cycled?
- Thread starter shanna123
- Start date
What kind of test are you doing? If you are not using API liquid, it is highly recommended to get one.
If Nitrite is not 0, it is not cycled yet. You still have to change water daily since Nitrite is as harmful as Ammonia to your current fish. Low level of Nitrate is not a problem at all when you change water daily. I think it is close to complete though.
Good Luck!!!
If Nitrite is not 0, it is not cycled yet. You still have to change water daily since Nitrite is as harmful as Ammonia to your current fish. Low level of Nitrate is not a problem at all when you change water daily. I think it is close to complete though.
Good Luck!!!
Post what your current levels are, and which test kit you are using
It seems like you are near to completing the cycle or have already completed it, but we wont be able to know for sure until you post your current water levels.
It seems like you are near to completing the cycle or have already completed it, but we wont be able to know for sure until you post your current water levels.Sorry. The nitrate is 5, nitrite is 0. I always get those confused. Yes, I'm using the liquids. Thankfully I read a thread on here before I bought my tank about liquid vs. strips. This has been the levels for a few days now. The ammonia went as high as .5, but I've been doing daily water changes.
Don't worry about scraping the algae you can do it anytime. Right now it is competing with your bacteria for ammonia. If you get rid of it your bacteria will grow more quickly.
If you have been at 0 for both ammonia and nitrite for several days then I would say that you are cycled (provided you have some nitrate). But, just because your cycled doesn't mean you are ready to add a bunch of fish (as you probably already know). Just go slow with the new additions and it should be good.
cycling can take up a month, sometimes longer. It looks like you are almost there though. keep watching your levels and until your ammonia stays at 0 and your nitrites don't rise anymore I wouldn't put anything in there