Im Not Sure If My Tank Is Cycled Or Not

[barb-e]

While I was out of town, my sister unplugged everything for my tank, including my filter. It was like this for about two weeks. When I came back I plugged everything up again. I put some ammonia in my tank to test and see if it would go down after 24 hours and it didn't. I stirred up a lot of debris in the gravel while cleaning and changing the decorations. A few days later I decided I would have to do a fishless cycle again so added enough ammonia to bring the level up to around 4 ppm. The next day when I checked the ammonia level it was zero. I have done the same thing in the days sense and have had the same results. I also checked the nitrite and it was zero. Is it possible that the filter bacteria regained function that fast and the filter was never uncycled? I don't know. Do the water readings, Ammonia-0ppm, Nitrite-0ppm, mean that the tank is ready for fish?

 

[timmystood]

Sounds like it's cycled to me. It's possible most of the bacteria was living in your gravel, which will help sustain the cycle. If you Ammonia and Nitrite are reading 0, then yes, you are ready for your first fish. Don't add to many in one go though just incase the cycle deciedes it wants to swing the other way again.

 

[JamieBailie]

Is there any NitrAte?

 

[barb-e]

I don't have a nitrate test but I think I should get one before I add my fish.

 

[JamieBailie]

Remember to keep feeding the bacteria with ammonia until you get fish.