Can It Be Cycled Already....?

[Murk&Harry]

Hi All,

I have kept coldwater fish for around two years now but this is the first time I've attempted a proper, pay attention to the rules cycle (the first time I filled it up, treated the water, threw in some food and had the water tested by the fish shop two weeks later - fortunately seemed to work!).

I set up my gorgeous 220l corner tank three weeks ago and went with a fishless cycle. I put some water conditioner in and a little salt (long story, but wanted it to be around the same condition as the tank my fish are moving from) a whole heap of fish food, some live plants a generous scoop of gravel from my cycled tank and let it go to work. Just a few days later I tested it to find around 0.4mg/l ammonia, 0.5mg/l nitrite, 12.5mg/l Nitrate and around 8 pH which I took to be a good sign, everything beginning to kick in as it should. Things progressed very quickly, the ammonia dropping to almost 0 within a week, although the nitrites remained high and the nitrates remained middling.

Then I had a car accident and didn't test the water for almost two weeks. Today I checked and I've got Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and nitrate 12.5. Is it just me or am I good to go? All seems a little easy given the fact I've heard much about water changes and waiting weeks to bring your ammonia down. Could it be the good dose of gravel taken from my mature tank pushing things along?

The other question I may need help with is in regards to the live plants. I've never used live plants before, the ones I have popped in my new tank were free with the purchase of the tank (should blooming well hope so the price of it!). Are there any plants I should be wary of? After long hours searching for the types I have I have decided they all they all look alike so unless there are any dangerous varieties for fancy goldies I'll assume the aquatics shop aren't trying to purposefully kill my boys!

Thanks

 

[MoneyMitch]

Hi All,

I have kept coldwater fish for around two years now but this is the first time I've attempted a proper, pay attention to the rules cycle (the first time I filled it up, treated the water, threw in some food and had the water tested by the fish shop two weeks later - fortunately seemed to work!).

I set up my gorgeous 220l corner tank three weeks ago and went with a fishless cycle. I put some water conditioner in and a little salt (long story, but wanted it to be around the same condition as the tank my fish are moving from) a whole heap of fish food, some live plants a generous scoop of gravel from my cycled tank and let it go to work. Just a few days later I tested it to find around 0.4mg/l ammonia, 0.5mg/l nitrite, 12.5mg/l Nitrate and around 8 pH which I took to be a good sign, everything beginning to kick in as it should. Things progressed very quickly, the ammonia dropping to almost 0 within a week, although the nitrites remained high and the nitrates remained middling.

Then I had a car accident and didn't test the water for almost two weeks. Today I checked and I've got Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and nitrate 12.5. Is it just me or am I good to go? All seems a little easy given the fact I've heard much about water changes and waiting weeks to bring your ammonia down. Could it be the good dose of gravel taken from my mature tank pushing things along?

The other question I may need help with is in regards to the live plants. I've never used live plants before, the ones I have popped in my new tank were free with the purchase of the tank (should blooming well hope so the price of it!). Are there any plants I should be wary of? After long hours searching for the types I have I have decided they all they all look alike so unless there are any dangerous varieties for fancy goldies I'll assume the aquatics shop aren't trying to purposefully kill my boys!

Thanks

well not to clear on what is in the new cycled tank, but as im sure you may know goldfish LOVE to eat plants, not really a good combo. The main plants to stay away from is definately dwarf hairglass, baby tears and any stem plants. all of these require large amounts of lights, c02 and regular fert dosing. Look for java fern, java moss and amazon swords just to name a few. those plants should be a good starting point for you and are some of the more harder to kill plants out there.

 

[Murk&Harry]

I had a feeling the plants wouldn't last long! I have two ryukins, and once they move they'll be having yet more big fat fancies moving in with them (bit by bit naturally!). To be honest if the plants prove to be problematic I'll give up and get them plastic ones - don't look as good undoubtedly but as long as the boys have something to hide behind they'll be happy enough I'm sure!

You don't happen to know of any plants that might be harmful to certain species do you? I've not found anything during my research but better safe than sorry!

I should of mentioned I have a large external filter attached to the tank.

 

[Murk&Harry]

Ok, I'm really confused about this cycling business! I thought I understood but clearly not!

Unwilling to risk my fish by trying them in the new tank I plopped a pinch of fish food in there to see what might happen. Today my Ammonia is more than 0 but definately not 0.1mg/l, my nitrite the same as the ammonia and the Nitrate is sitting steady at 12.5mg/l.

I'm at a loss! Is this tank cycled or not?