yet another cycling question

[amyandlars]

I started cycling my new 100gal tank last week. Dosed with ammonia to 4ppm, and water temp is a constant 86 degrees. So far I have 0 nitrite and 4ppm ammonia, which is fine...kinda. Becuase one filter arrived damaged I only have a penguin 350 in there. Today I should have a second penguin 350. We also have a power head that is only moving water around right now not adding any oxygen.

1. Does it take longer for bigger tanks to cycle?
2. Will the 2nd filter speed it up some?
3. Should I adjust the powerhead to add in oxygen? Will that make a difference?

I know, I know the tank will cycle I just have to give it time. But a tiny hint of nitrites would be nice.

 

[Pallen81]

size of the tank shouldn't really effect the cycling duration much...

you seem to already know you have to just wait... your tank is gonna get there soon. You are only in the first week and a half. My last tank took 6 weeks to cycle and my nitrites and ammonia didn't go down until the 4 or 5th week. Just takes some time.

I don't think adding oxygen will speed it up, I'm not 100% sure about that though. Why 86 degrees? that's pretty high up there. You planning on keeping Discus or something?

One thing: You can certainly add some Stress Tyme to your tank to help with the biological filteration. This adds some bacteria into the water and while it may not speed up your cycle that much, it will help aid in the production of healthy bacterias to your tank.

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

1. No, it doesn't take longer for bigger tanks to cycle.
2. No, a 2nd filter won't speed the cycle up.
3. Hmmm, don't know about the powerhead. Never heard anyone suggest adding one to speed things up. :huh:

Unless you've seeded your new tank with filter media and gravel from an established tank (or Bio Spira), it will likely take a few weeks into the cycle to see nitrites.

I agree with most of what Pallen81 says, althoughI don't recommend adding Stress Zyme. Bio Spira is the only product I know of that actually works to speed up a cycle.

 

[amyandlars]

The 2nd filter is going in anyway, the filter I have is rated for 75gal, and the powerhead is really only to achieve the 10x tank size cycling. I know about the bio-spira, but have to wait on fish anyway so I guess I will continue to wait.
Thank you for confirming that I was just grasping at straws to speed this up just a teeny tiny bit. At least there are no w/c's involved in this.