Day 5 No Ammonia Yet ...

[Hollymolly4]

I started my 55 gallon on the 26th. Added a seeded filter, bag of volcanic rock stuff (the name escapes me), and an ornament from another tank as well as a filter and ornament from still another tank. I also have 2 mollies in the tank. Is it just taking time for anything to show? Or could it be instantly cycled from all the media I added? No ammonia, No nitrItes, No nitrAtes. I'm anxious to add more fish, can you tell
Thanks for any advise..

 

[Tacklebury]

If you've added established media and only have two fish I would guess that the filter is working. Remember that only enough bacteria will survive to filter the waste from the two fish. Ie, if the filter once had a 20 fish load and its now only got 2 fish to deal with, bacteria levels will drop as there is not enough food to sustain the bacteria.

I have just transferred a mature filter, plus substrate into my new tank. Left the water to warm and settle for 24 hrs and last night I added 50 adults plus 100 odd fry into a brand new setup.

I hope to NEVER see a rise in ammonia, this will tell me that my filter has survived the transition to the new tank.

I also transferred 70% of my existing water to help the filter along.

 

[Hollymolly4]

Wowee...and I was worried about having two in there! Thanks for the reply! Makes me feel better now! I added my 4 Mollies to the tank now so we'll see how it holds with 6 total.

 

[Mikaila31]

Yep I would say its fine, That is how I cycle a lot of my tanks. I have never had any problems and have often done it with touchy fish like rummy nosed tetras.

 

[Hollymolly4]

I just find it strange that it doesn't show any nitrAtes yet. My other tanks show some with the same test so I know the test is fine.