superspeed cycling?

[tolkienapostle]

I started my cycle 4 days ago, yes i did fishy, i just didnt have enough info on fishless, though i have studied in the last few days and will try it next time. Anyway, for the first few days i got no readings on any tests( I use API master test), today I have very minimal if any readings on ammonia or nitrates, and the nitrates are at 10ppm. My PH has stayed around 7.2, the same as our tap water. Is my cycle going ok, or am i crazy in thinking that it has gone pretty fast so far, also at what nitrate level would a partial water change be recommened?

 

[Johnnyr]

Your cycle is just starting. You're going to need to be doing water changes daily for the next 4 weeks to stay on top of the rising ammonia and nitrite levels.

A lot of people have nitrates in the tap. Test your tap water for nitrates. I'll bet you get 10ppm, meaning your cycle hasn't even started.

Why don't you just do fishless? Faster, easier, and no fish die. Take the fish back, and start over.

What are your stocking levels and tank size? You should probrably try and get your hands on some bio-spira, to help speed up the cycle.

 

[bullseye69]

If you have access to someone with a seeded tank you can ask for some filter squeezing or for some of there filter media to kick start your cycle. that would let it cycle in about a week or 2.

 

[tolkienapostle]

thanks guys, i did check my tap water and it was a big Nill on everything, i will start chaging water everyday, i thought i was only supposed to change it when the levels get to high, is 10ppm to high for nitrates? I have a 29 gal, a 75 aquaclear filter, a heater, though it is not necessary yet for Las Vegas, water temp is constantly 76. I also have several fake plants(to afraid to try real ones yet), driftwood and slate. As far as the fish, 5 zebra danios and a cory.

 

[ct-death]

Typically (but not always) a cycle usually takes 5-10 days for ammonia to start spiking, then another 5-7 from this point until nitrItes begin and another 5-10 days for nitrItes to spike at which time your ammonia should disapear from your tests and small trace amounts of nitrAtes will begin to register.

Fish cycles usually take between 4-8 weeks total, but I have seen as little as 26-27 days and as long as 14 weeks or more! there are a lot of variables and too many to anitate here that factor into the cycling process, but I tried to indicate the "typical" time-frame seen by most.

 

[ct-death]

... i will start chaging water everyday, i thought i was only supposed to change it when the levels get to high, is 10ppm to high for nitrates? ...

WCs will not adversely affect your cycling process, and personally I advocate for 2-3x tests a day. Allow the test results to indicate what is required and how much. the goal is maintaining level below 0.25ppm for both ammonia and nitrItes (nitrAtes should be kept below 40ppm for most fish, 20ppm is ideal)

For example: If you register 0.5ppm ammonia, you will NEED to do a 50% WC to reduce the ammonia by 50% (half) of it concentration to 0.25pm.

 

[tolkienapostle]

i am still confused as to why I have no ammonia or nitrite readings,(I had VERY minimal ones yesterday, think i guessed my ammonia at .10) and now I have nitrates?

 

[ct-death]

Only thing I could guess is you added the LFS water the fish came in?

Basically you would need ot offer more information/specifics to track this down such as when was the tank setup, how long afetr this did you add fish, how were they added, when did you test, used any old decoration/gravel, etc., WCs, etc., etc...

In short it had to have been introduced, even if you are unaware fo the source b/c the ammonia bacteria takes a long time to develop, then factor in the nitrification bacterias needed on top of this to have been established long enough to actually register a reading for nitrAtes, never mind nitrItes...

Is the test kit expired, or are you using strips?

 

[tolkienapostle]

I see your in the same thought process i am in, tanks was wup on friday, fish added on monday(all test resuts were 0, and 7.2 ph, all through yesterday, wed.) No water from tropical fish store added, have tested twice daily since monday, and all new gravel, decs etc. Frustrating to say the least. I guess its alright though, at least the fish are fine, and ill keep the nitrates down. Is there any way to definitevly test to see if my tank has cycled?

 

[ct-death]

As a "Rule of Thumb", many suggest that if you have 0.0 ammonia/nitrItes after 5-7 days without performing ANY water changes, then this is a good indicator (of course you will have increasing nitrAtes during this period ... heavily planted tanks excluded, but we won't get into silent cycles here)