10gl Water Flow/cycling Question

[Hero]

I have 2 tanks, both cycling. 1 is a 20gl with internal sponge filter and 100watt heater placed at a 45 degree angle right next to the filter output (which is at the top setting/fast). I also have a 10gl with a Whisper pump using a bio-bead and sliver sponge (really skiny but about 4-5 inches tall. Now there is a current in the 20gl due to how fast the water is output. The 10gl just seems to let the water slowly back into the tank (setting on fast also!). There doesn't seem to be an current or water flow in the tank at all. It this going to slow down the cycling process of the 10gl? Will it cycle at all?

20gl = fish in cycle

10gl = fishless cycle

 

[n3ont3tra]

I don't think it will slow the process.

 

[Hero]

I don't think it will slow the process.

Hope not.Maybe you could help me understand my cycling on the 20gl. Below is a log I have been keeping. For some reason my ammonia dropped and there are no signs of any nirites or nitrates. Today 2 more fish were added to make a total of 4 (inch a piece). Hopefully with 4 more ammonia is produced and bacteria will start growing. All today a AquaClear 100 watt heater was added near the output of the filter.Date | Am NO2 NO3 PH | *log starts on day 3 of tank setup*--------------------------------------------------10/11/07 .25 .0 .0 8.010/12/07 .25 .0 .0 7.4-7.6 *added 1gl due to evaporation, none removed*10/13/07 .0 .0 .0 7.4-7.610/14/07 .0 .0 .0 7.6Sorry it's hard to read, I copied straight from notepad and it seemed to have removed my tabs.I would like to add that I had not done a water change since the 20gl was set up. Only added 1gl due to evaporation. None have the water stats have given me a signal to. It's been 7 days, should I?

 

[n3ont3tra]

I'm not really an expert, and I only have about a minute and a half, but I think what's happening is perfectly normal. The bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate are two different types. Generally the nitrite to nitrate bacteria is slower to form, but that is not always the case, and you might see nitrites within a few days anyway. Hope this helps.

If you have fish, you should be doing water changes because ammonia and nitrite are very bad for fish.

 

[Hero]

The post above is supposed to be 2 seperate post... not sure what happened. Can I get a little mod assistance on that one?

I'm not really an expert, and I only have about a minute and a half, but I think what's happening is perfectly normal. The bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate are two different types. Generally the nitrite to nitrate bacteria is slower to form, but that is not always the case, and you might see nitrites within a few days anyway. Hope this helps.

If you have fish, you should be doing water changes because ammonia and nitrite are very bad for fish.

I haven't done a water change AT ALL since tank setup 7 days ago. No water stats have given me a signal to. No nitrates or ammonia...Should I change some anyway? If yes, why?

 

[n3ont3tra]

If you make a post within about 15 minutes of another one, with nobody posting in between, it combines them. I hate that feature...

Anyway. If you have no ammonia or nitrites, the only reason you will need to do water changes is to lower nitrates. Do you have any fish, or did you add ammonia? Sorry, I think I'm getting your two tanks confused with each other.

 

[Hero]

If you make a post within about 15 minutes of another one, with nobody posting in between, it combines them. I hate that feature...

Anyway. If you have no ammonia or nitrites, the only reason you will need to do water changes is to lower nitrates. Do you have any fish, or did you add ammonia? Sorry, I think I'm getting your two tanks confused with each other.

The log you looked at was for my 20gl...doing a fish-in cycle. Started 7 days ago. Have not done a water change yet. No water stats showed me signals. Should I change the water anyway? All nitrites, nitrates and ammonia (0-.25) are at 0.

 

[n3ont3tra]

You don't need to do a WC, but it wouldn't hurt.

 

[Hero]

Well... first day with four 4 and I woke with with .5 ammonia .0 nitrite and .0 nitrate. I went ahead and did a 4gl WC.