Hi Everybody! Initial Cycle Is Complete?

[Dan04COBRA]

Hi everybody!

Unfortunately, I started my 29 gallon tank with a Fishy cycle. Now, I wished I had done a fishless cycle, but what's done is done...

I started with 4 fish. 2 Tetra's and 2 Bala sharks (I have a 55 gallon tank waiting to be assembled, so don't worry about the Bala's). 3 days into the setup, the Bio-bag became clogged in dust (the dust situation has been rectified). To my inexperience, I changed the bio-bag for a new one. The ammonia spiked to about 1ppm, PH of 7.0, nitrites 0 and nitrates 0. I did water changes all week to keep the ammonia to 1ppm, my LFS told me to use ammo-lock. I used this (never should have) and the ammonia stabilized but suddenly spiked to 4ppm. The LFS then sold me 'cycle'. I added this to the tank and it promptly became extremely cloudy and was obvious there was a huge bacteria bloom occuring. I performed water changes over 2-3 days, woke up one morning and I couldn't even see into the tank...

Anyways, about a week later after many, many water changes, I got the ammonia down to 0, nitrites still at 0 and nitrates still 0, PH was still 7.0.

The tank is now over 3 weeks old. About a week ago I raised the ammonia by feeding again, to about .25ppm. It's hovered around .50ppm and I just left it alone. I skipped testing yesterday (wasn't home) and now my Ammonia is barely detectable and my nitrites are still 0ppm but now my Nitrates are between 5.0 and 10PPM.

By studying all the information I can about the cycle, it appears that my Biological media has the beneficial bacteria it needs and my tank is now cycled. I will perform a water change tonight or tomorrow and get the nitrates down.

Is it now safe to add another fish or two?

 

[love cichlids]

It sounds like it is almost done, should be no ammonia at all. Wait 2 more weeks and test water to make sure. It is best to not jump and get any other fish. Do you realize it is 75 gallons needed for balas and even larger because they do best in groups. I have never had them but that is what I heard. I am sure that some people have only kept one and they did fine. I am not sure if that is 75 gallons for one or what. Maybe someone else can tell you what is best size for your balas. Wait and be patient, it is best to make sure that the tank is cycle for a couple of weeks before getting any other fish. I never jump and get fish right away. Hope your tank is cleared up now. Is the water green or what. I have a bacterial bloom in my goldfish tank and it is green. Water changes is the only thing that will help and it will eventually disappear. I am getting a uv sterilizer thing for my tank since this is the third time in 3 yrs that it has happened and it is annoying when you can hardly see the fish.

 

[Dan04COBRA]

My tank is now crystal clear. 3 days ago it had a slight haze to it.

As for the ammonia, it slightly discolors from the yellow on my card, but it does not match the color for .25, it is in fact lighter. It was maybe slightly over .50 about 48 hours ago. I had contemplated a water change but decided to leave it alone.

I was told from another forum that the 55 gallon will be fine for the Bala's. I do not plan on having many fish at all. Infact, all I want to add is a pleco and that's it...