Another Cycle Question But Different!

[doresy]

Hi
It's the back to front guy here again! Ie. keep fish for four years then worry about cycle!

Ok, so the tank I have now has been going for 4 months or so......Started with 50% matured media and 50% 'old' water. Fish introduced after a couple of weeks. Apart from 1 death all's been fine.

Those of you that came accross me in my former guise a couple of months ago on entering this forum will remember me as the 'I don't need to bother with all this cycling stuff' Boy, did you make me suffer for that!.....moving on

Well, being converted, I now do regular water changes and water testing

Stats. have been at a regular: Ammonia 0. Nitrite 0. Nitrate 40 Ph 7.6 Ph(high) 7.8. for the last couple of weeks.

As these stats. have stayed the same since I started testing (3 months after set up) am I just to assume that the tank has cycled?

We all deserve a second chance.....just think of my fish

 

[@ombomb]

As these stats. have stayed the same since I started testing (3 months after set up) am I just to assume that the tank has cycled?

Yes.

0 ammonia + 0 nitrite + >0 nitrate = cycled.

Mature filter media works wonders.

 

[mark.w.jones]

To a certain extent yes. There are enough bacteria living in your filter to cope with the waste produced by your current stock. If you chuck another 20 fish in there at once though they won't be able to cope with the waste and you will almost certainly get an ammonia spike. If you intend to increase your stocking just do it slowly. 5 or so fish at a time and leave them for 2 weeks before adding any more.

 

[doresy]

To a certain extent yes. There are enough bacteria living in your filter to cope with the waste produced by your current stock. If you chuck another 20 fish in there at once though they won't be able to cope with the waste and you will almost certainly get an ammonia spike. If you intend to increase your stocking just do it slowly. 5 or so fish at a time and leave them for 2 weeks before adding any more.

I have been bang up to my limit as far as stock is concerned for the last 6 weeks so I reckon I must have cycled by now....thanks people