Returning to Fish keeping with Fluval Edge

I would venture to guess that your trites are way higher than 5, it's just the limit of your test kit. I got my tank to cycle much more quicly by keeping the trites at readable levels. when mine got that high, I did a 90% water change, and then kept them in the zone that is legible on the test (around 3ppm)

Too high of nitrites, can stall the cycle... Just my experience. My tank was fully cycled in two weeks (I borrowed a scoop of gravel from a friend as well...)
 
OrionGirl said:
Nitrite consumers are slower to develop than ammonia consumers. That ammonia is disappearing and nitrites aren't climbing indicates the population is present, so maybe? But the proof is in the testing.
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And waiting for a few days to make sure there's no flukiness in a series of good test results.
 
JSounds good everyone. Holding off on the 90% water change until the weekend and dosing ammonia to 3ppm each night. Test results are maintaining at 0, 5, 5. But get this...

I was talking to my girl on the phone while she is in Maine with her family and while blankly staring at my tank I noticed one of the decent sized shrimp I had purchased scurrying up the front glass! I was pretty sure I counted 7 carcasses as I removed them with my aquarium tongs, but I have a sole survivor. I've been lacing that water with ammonia with that guy in there for over a week for crying out loud! I don't know how that little dude is surviving, but he is a good hider because I haven't been able to locate him since.

Also: My submerged heater and it's A/C cord have grown some sort of algae? Not sure what it is almost like a dusty rust colored residue. Maybe I'll stick an Otto cat in there after all even if just temporarily to tidy the place up. Once I'm able to add stock of course.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread, god speed nitrates.


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I would suggest against adding an oto. They are a more sensitive species that don't do well in newly cycled tanks, plus they should be in groups.

From the sound of it you have diatoms which are totally normal in newer tanks. IME they go away on their own and are just a nuisance for the time being. They are pretty easy to just wipe away.
 
jpappy789 said:
I would suggest against adding an oto. They are a more sensitive species that don't do well in newly cycled tanks, plus they should be in groups.

From the sound of it you have diatoms which are totally normal in newer tanks. IME they go away on their own and are just a nuisance for the time being. They are pretty easy to just wipe away.
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Ok if you say so. Any input on that holocaust survivor shrimp? Just looked for him and I can't find him. I think I'll call him Rambo.


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Well boys and girls, I almost opted out of a test tonight and just did my nightly 4 eye droppers of ammonia, but I said what the hay.

Looks as if nitrates are finally overpowering my nitrites (and I've been testing by book since my last misread).

I don't want to get my hopes up, but I'm so happy I could drink that vile of red nitrate goodness. It appears after a proper test and 5 minute waiting period, I am at 0, .25, 80+

I'm home at 5:30pm tomorrow and I'm hoping to see nitrites at ground 0, and do a 75-90% water change. If so, Friday night I will run another test, and hopefully yield cycled results. If that's the case, I think if all remains well, I may stock a few fish on Sunday, because if not I'll not have the chance until next Thursday. (I know what you're thinking, I've waited this long, why rush and stock on sunday?) But I think that's what's going to go down. Maybe just 3 CPDs. Maybe I will wait. We'll see what you experienced keepers say.


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If its completely cycled then there should be a reason to wait until next Thursday. But if it makes you feel more safe and secure to wait and make sure the cycle is 100% complete waiting a few more days wont hurt.

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Done deal. Had a chance to move a plant I'd been meaning to relocate. Did about an 80% water change with dechlorinated water, dosed appropriate amount of ammonia to bring the system up to 3ppm, and gave the exterior glass a little spit shine. Will see tomorrow night where the 80% change brought my nitrates. I almost expect the purple nitrite bottle of doom, but have a feeling I'm finally good. It's been about 2 days shy of a month from initial setup, so everything seems as it should. We all know that is subject to change though.

Thanks again for your time, and good night fellow fish keeps.
(Religious folk feel free to include my tank in your prayers tonight haha)


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