Breathing A Sigh Of Relief!

[AshleyGracie]

Is been about 6 Weeks since I mistakenly bought a tank and put fish in it. It's been a rough road but today was the first time I tested the water and have just about 0 ammonia and nitrite and actually have 5 nitrate! It's been about 24 hours since last 95% water change and normally I have been reading between .25 to .5 with ammonia and nitrite and no nitrate in between changes.
I can't believe after all this the end is in sight!
Would anyone be able to tell me about how much longer this will take? This started April 9 just to give you an idea how long my tank has been running.

 

[ZoddyZod]

keep testing for another 7 days. If you get zeros for ammonia/nitrite (without performing any more water changes), then your tank is cycled for the current bioload.

 

[AshleyGracie]

It's been 6-7 days testing 0 ammonia and nitrite and 5-20 nitrate, do am I safe to say I'm cycled?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Sounds good to me, happy days!

 

[AshleyGracie]

Well that's the best news I had in a while!!

Another question though. Where I have been changing the water everyday since I got my fish and over the last week I haven't had to, I'm just wondering how do I deal with all the poop!? The last week an awful lot has built up on the sand, looks like most of it came from the pleco, but it looks horrible!
Should I be vacuuming more then once a week?

 

[ZoddyZod]

It depends how much it irritates you really. The sand rarely stays perfect for long, especially with a plec in there. A more powerful filter might help but there is no guarentee.

 

[HM Dragon Devil]

Well that's the best news I had in a while!!

Another question though. Where I have been changing the water everyday since I got my fish and over the last week I haven't had to, I'm just wondering how do I deal with all the poop!? The last week an awful lot has built up on the sand, looks like most of it came from the pleco, but it looks horrible!
Should I be vacuuming more then once a week?

Hi. Congrats on your cycle, i'm still cycling!

As for dealimg with the poop, remove it with an aquarium vac as part of your weekly maintenance.

Dean.