Is My Tank Cycled?

Jess7

Jess7

My Pets Play So Nice Don't They?!!
Feb 27, 2005
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Massachusetts
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So... I have had my tanks setup for about 6 weeks or so. I had ammonia showing, then nitrite, then both, and now nothing. A couple days I had a little nitrate showing but never over 5. Today everything is reading 0. Are they cycled yet? I thought Nitrates had to be present when the cycle is complete...

BTW, one is a 10g with 1 betta and 3 AFD's, and the other is a 6g (switched from a 2.5g during the cyle) with one betta...

Also, I'd like to put the ADF's in the 6g and maybe get some cory cats for the 10g. Is it too soon to do this? And should I add one fish at a time, adding another after a few days?
 
I'm not experienced too much with this, but I think the levels you saw, first ammonia, then nitrite, and then nitrate, is just right for cycling. If everything reads at 0 and the nitrate is low, and it stays stable for about a week or so, I'd say it is cycled. You should not add a lot of fish at a time though! That will cause spikes in ammonia and should your tank not be properly cyled. Add 1-2 fish per week until you are fully stocked, but check your levles during this time to keep it stable. If it suddenly spikes while you are stocking, then do 40% water changes until things drop back to normal and don't add anymore fish until things stay stable.
 
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