Is It Possible That My Tank Is Cycled Already?

[GreenA]

Hi guys.

So I've been doing a fish-in cycle for the last 5 weeks. And I have read in the beginners section that a fish-in cycle takes at least 8 weeks if not more. However, I've been doing daily water tests (API) and water changes. And 1 1/2 weeks ago my ammonia went to zero and I had my nitrite spikes so I've just continued with the routine (water check & changes) and was obviously happy that my filter started to show changes in the cycling process. Now, for the last 4 days my ammonia AND my nitrite have been zero and my nitrate is between 10 and 20 ppm. Is it really possible that my tank cycled that quickly?

I would obviously be very happy if it is but I just want to make sure it really is before introducing more fish.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CezzaXV]

I don't know much about fish in cycling, but I know with my own fishless cycle that things seem to be going much faster than most people report.

Seems that cycling goes quicker for some people than others, and maybe you just got lucky.

 

[GreenA]

Yeah, I'd consider myself very lucky if my days if daily water changes are finally over but it just seems really quick. I've read that the fishless cycle is much quicker and it just feels too good to be true that my tank is already cycled.....

 

[Aqua Tom]

Even though we try to be scientific about our cycles. For some unknown reason some peoples cycles go realy fast while others take an age. When we say 8 weeks is the norm that is just the average. It can be as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 weeks.

Are you still doing daily water changes? If so I would miss one & see what readings you get, if they are still 0-0 then I would say you are cycled. You must be meticulous with your water testing for the next few weeks & when you stop your water changes I would test twice a day for a week or so.

Tom

 

[fluttermoth]

It is possible that you're one of the lucky ones who's cycle does go really quickly.

As long as you have a week of double zeros for ammonia and nitrite, with no water changes, you can be pretty confident you are cycled

 

[GreenA]

Hi.

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't done a water change yesterday and tested the water this morning and the results are as mentioned above. I'll check tonight again and see what needs to be done or not. How long should I leave it like this before I add more fish? And how many should I introduce at once? Got a 20gallon tank with 6 fish in it atm.

Sorry for all the questions.
Really appreciate all the answers.

 

[Aqua Tom]

You need to leave it at least a week without water changes before adding fish. This is just in case you get a mini cycle.

What 6 fish do you have at the moment?


Tom

 

[GreenA]

I have 2 male Guppies, 2 Mollies (M/F) and 2 Swordtails (M/F). I would love to add neon tetras or corys next but I'm not sure if I can add +-6 fish at once....as I read that they are schooling fish.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I have 2 male Guppies, 2 Mollies (M/F) and 2 Swordtails (M/F). I would love to add neon tetras or corys next but I'm not sure if I can add +-6 fish at once....as I read that they are schooling fish.

Although they can live in smaller numbers tey always do better in a group.
I recomend corys as you already have 6 midwater fish in there. What substrate do you have? Corys love sand. You could probably add 2 a week safely, just so long as you end up with 6.


Tom

 

[GreenA]

I have sand (Argos Play Sand) plenty of plants, hiding spaces and bogwood. I love Corys so I'll go with them.

So I'll keep my fingers crossed for the next 7 days.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[KittyKat]

Is it really possible that my tank cycled that quickly?

I haven't done a water change yesterday and tested the water this morning and the results are as mentioned above. I'll check tonight again and see what needs to be done or not. How long should I leave it like this before I add more fish? And how many should I introduce at once? Got a 20gallon tank with 6 fish in it atm.

I do not consider it cycled until you see no ammonia or nitrite without any water changes for at least 1 week and with normal feeding regime (which for me is 2* daily as much as can be eaten in 30 seconds and one day per week without food). At that point, the filter will *just* be able to support all the fish which are in it, so you should wait until the bacteria multiply further before adding more fish: the bacteria will continue multiplying past the point where there is enough ammonia to completely satiate each individual one, kinda like one person being able to eat a lot of food, but needing a lot less to survive, if you like.
So, I recommend that after the "qualifying week", you wait at least another 1 week before thinking about fish, and preferably 2 weeks.

I have 2 male Guppies, 2 Mollies (M/F) and 2 Swordtails (M/F). I would love to add neon tetras or corys next but I'm not sure if I can add +-6 fish at once....as I read that they are schooling fish.

You have 4 males per 2 female livebearers there, this is likely to harm the females in the long term, so it would be best if you got at least one more molly and one more swordtail female before any other fish.
If you get 2 females at the two weeks after qualifying week point, you should be able to get 6 Corys two weeks later (just increase feeding slowly) as your filter will be more mature then and more able to cope with the stocking changes. Yes, they are schooling, glad to see that you did your research

The slow stocking is one of the negative points of the fish-in cycle.

 

[GreenA]

Thanks KittyKat.

Ok, so I'll start to feed them daily now and keep checking the water. I don't mind waiting a little longer now. As long as I do what's best for the fish. Then I'll introduce a couple more females as you said and a few weeks later the corys. Haha!!
I'm just so happy that I'm getting there!!

Thanks again for everyones help!

 

[KittyKat]

Ok, so I'll start to feed them daily now and keep checking the water.

How much were you feeding before? You probably want to increase it very gently, and only after you've got consistent ammonia and nitrite 0 ppm readings without daily water changes as it will add to the ammonia.

 

[GreenA]

I've been feeding them every other day. I fed them yesterday and today. Didn't have to do a water change yesterday either and checked the water today and its still looking good. Will check tonight again. Still keeping my fingers crossed

 

[GreenA]

day 3 without a water change and water parameters are still all good.

getting really exited now....If it stays like that I can finally introduce my first Corys!!! So so exited.