How Long Before The Cycle Is Over?

[MrNiceGuy]

i have a small pond outside that is about 130 gallons. i dont know exactly how long ago i set the pump and filter up but i believe it was about 3 weeks ago. both the pump and filter are designed for ponds much larger than mine (the pump says up to 500 gallons and the filter says up to 1000 gallons).


the water was in the pond about a month before the pump and filter were set up, if that means anything. i also had a paradise fish in there before the pump and filter were set up... just an experiment i guess.

anyway, the paradise fish is out now and i put 4 goldfish in when i set up the filter to start a fish-in cycle. that was 3 weeks ago and now i have 2 goldfish left (one died almost immediately and another died a few days ago).

i tested the water today and got these results...


ammonia- .25

nitrite- 1.0

nitrate- 40


So thats it. How much longer do you think it'll take for the ammonia and nitrite levels to hit 0? i really want to add some more fish being that my pond looks pretty empty with 2 goldfish. my family is getting pretty annoyed with the empty pond. "just put a dozen goldfish in and see what happens" they say. Would it be a terrible idea to add 6 rosy red minnows? they're sold as feeder fish anyway so they're very inexpensive.... not to mention, they'll probably have a better fate in my pond then with someone that'll use them as food.

 

[stuuk1]

You are in a fish-in cycle. You cant tell how long it will take, sometimes weeks and sometimes months.

This section is for Tropical fish, there is a section specifically for ponds. I suggest asking any pond related questions there.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

You are in a fish-in cycle. You cant tell how long it will take, sometimes weeks and sometimes months.

This section is for Tropical fish, there is a section specifically for ponds. I suggest asking any pond related questions there.

yeah, but the question applies to fish-keeping in general. i'd post in the pond section but that forum gets about 12 views a week. i think my chances of getting advice are better here