90 Gallon Cycling

[tnhowery]

So ive had my 90 Gallon cycling since Wednesday Jan.3 with mature media from another tank...

My stats are as follows.

Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 5 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Ph - 7.0

Does this all look right? I never did a cycle in my first tank because i didnt know any better and this is my first time trying it.

Thanks for any help.

TH

 

[tnhowery]

Anyone?

 

[cane76]

are there fish in the tank?

 

[tnhowery]

No im doing it right since i know better this time!

 

[cane76]

im no expert but if you have added enough mature media to the new filter you wont have to cycle the tank will ya?

 

[tnhowery]

im no expert but if you have added enough mature media to the new filter you wont have to cycle the tank will ya?

I think that it will still have to go through a small cycle but not nearly as long but im also not sure.

 

[Underwurlde]

Well, no it won't. I mean a tank does not re-cycle every time you do a water change and clean the media in old tank water...

What will be 'cycling' i.e. bacterial build up is the bacterial colonies everywhere else such as in your substrate. Now, if you've been adding pure ammonia a la fish less cycling and you've noticed that the levels of ammonia drop nitirite drop and then nitrate detectable (I guess that's what you're saying) then yes, add fish.

However, as you fish loading alters, so will the bacterial colony alter to suit the fish bio-load. Hence I'd say (as for any tank), build your stocking up slowly to allow for any filter differential.

Andy

 

[tnhowery]

Well, no it won't. I mean a tank does not re-cycle every time you do a water change and clean the media in old tank water...

What will be 'cycling' i.e. bacterial build up is the bacterial colonies everywhere else such as in your substrate. Now, if you've been adding pure ammonia a la fish less cycling and you've noticed that the levels of ammonia drop nitirite drop and then nitrate detectable (I guess that's what you're saying) then yes, add fish.

However, as you fish loading alters, so will the bacterial colony alter to suit the fish bio-load. Hence I'd say (as for any tank), build your stocking up slowly to allow for any filter differential.

Andy

So you would say i am ok to add fish slowly or wait for a week or so...

 

[Underwurlde]

Yes, I think so.

You could test the filters just to make sure. (You don't appear in any rush to get fish in which is good):

Test water (as you have already, but just in case, start with a clean sheet) for:
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate.

Add pure ammonia.
Wait about an hour & test water again for Ammonia - obviously the level should have risen.

OK, now we can start the test:
On a daily basis, test for Ammonia, Nitrtie and Nitrate.

You should see the Ammonia drop to 0
There should be no Nitrite (becasue you have an established filter with the two types of bacteria in it).
As the Ammonia levels drop, the Nitrate levels should start rising.

If your tests follow this trend, your filters are working, add fish. From what you've described it is already doing this - and will continue to do so but only if you've continued to feed those bacteria by adding Ammonia....

Make sense?

Andy

 

[tnhowery]

Yes, I think so.

You could test the filters just to make sure. (You don't appear in any rush to get fish in which is good):

Test water (as you have already, but just in case, start with a clean sheet) for:
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate.

Add pure ammonia.
Wait about an hour & test water again for Ammonia - obviously the level should have risen.

OK, now we can start the test:
On a daily basis, test for Ammonia, Nitrtie and Nitrate.

You should see the Ammonia drop to 0
There should be no Nitrite (becasue you have an established filter with the two types of bacteria in it).
As the Ammonia levels drop, the Nitrate levels should start rising.

If your tests follow this trend, your filters are working, add fish. From what you've described it is already doing this - and will continue to do so but only if you've continued to feed those bacteria by adding Ammonia....

Make sense?

Andy

Wow looks like to much for me!!! I think im just gonna let it go for another week and add one fish per week. Until stocked(only 5 fish going in).. Thanks for the info...

 

[Underwurlde]

OK, that's a plan then.

So in the meantime, can I be a nosey bugger and ask what you are planning to stock your lovely new 90G with

Andy

 

[tnhowery]

OK, that's a plan then.

So in the meantime, can I be a nosey bugger and ask what you are planning to stock your lovely new 90G with

Andy

YES you can.

Ive got another thread all about that if you would like...

But my stocking is as follows:

1 Green Terror
1 Jack Dempsey
1 Shovelnose cat
1 Oscar(although this may be changed to a midas or severum not 100% on it)