Help With Cycling My Aquarium?

[NormaJean]

I started cycling my aquarium about 3 days ago, I added my ammonia and got the levels up to 6.1 the first day, as instructed I checked the ammonia the next day to see how it was going, the ammonia had already gone back to 0, so I added the same amount of ammonia, this morning I checked it again, the ammonia is at 0, my nitrite is at 0.1 and my nitrate is at 0. Why does the ammonia keep going down so fast? Could my tank already be cycled? I have a filter from a 2 year established tank running in it for a few months as well as plants. I also did do a bit of a cycle using tetras, but I decided to take them out a few weeks later.

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

What test kit are you using?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, sounds like it is cycled as it was running in a tank long term and has not been absolutely starved of ammonia. Still, wait for the nitrite-to-nitrate bacteria to catch up and do a 7 day qualifying period before adding fish, as should be done if cycling from scratch anyway, just to be sure that the bacteria can sustain converting that amount of ammonia consistently.

 

[NormaJean]

What test kit are you using?

I'm using a Nutafin Master Kit.

Yes, sounds like it is cycled as it was running in a tank long term and has not been absolutely starved of ammonia. Still, wait for the nitrite-to-nitrate bacteria to catch up and do a 7 day qualifying period before adding fish, as should be done if cycling from scratch anyway, just to be sure that the bacteria can sustain converting that amount of ammonia consistently.

What do you mean qualifying period? Should I keep adding the ammonia then?
Sorry, I'm new to cycling tanks, I've had other aquariums, but I've never actually cycled them before. Just put fish in and everything worked out. I'd like to do this one right though.

 

[fluttermoth]

A qualifying period just means you carry on adding ammonia and testing for ammonia and nitrite after 12 hours.

If you can go for seven days without any readings for either at the 12 hour stage, you'll know your filter is working properly and you're safe to add your fish

 

[OldMan47]

You have very likely got a fully cycled tank. A 2 year old filter was probably fully cycled when you started.

 

[NormaJean]

You have very likely got a fully cycled tank. A 2 year old filter was probably fully cycled when you started.

I put in some ammonia last night, I checked this morning and my readings are: Ammonia-0ppm, Nitrite-0ppm, Nitrate-Around 5-10ppm. Could I start adding fish now, or should I wait till the nitrate goes down completely?

 

[fluttermoth]

Nitrate will never disappear, unless you have loads and loads of plants and very few fish; we do water changes to get rid of nitrate. Sounds like your filter is fine to add fish.

Just out of interest, how much ammonia did you add (ie, to what ppm?)?

 

[OldMan47]

You are doing fine Marilyn. I think your tank is cycled.