New 55 Gallon Cichlid Tank

[PEneoark]

After about 2 weeks of fishless cycling, I decided to 'scape my tank. Like it?

I will be stocking this in about a week

 

[waterdrop]

Nice display PE. It is very rare for a working biofilter to pass it's qualifying test in only 3 weeks. The test is that 5ppm of ammonia can be dropped to zero ppm of ammonia and zero ppm of nitrite(NO2) as measured by a good liquid-reagent test within 12 hours of when the ammonia is dosed for 7 days in a row, without a blip. Some feel that it should be able to do it within 8 hours of when dosed but we've found 12 hours for the 7 days to be a good compromise and to reliably protect us from getting mini-cycling after the first fish introduction. Does that make sense?

~~waterdrop~~
ps. Welcome to TFF!

 

[PEneoark]

From day one, I have been converting ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. I used a filter from my cycled tank to jump start it. I'm converting 4ppm of ammonia to nitrate in about 18 hours. I have also not seen nitrite in about 4 days.

 

[waterdrop]

OK, good, sounds like you've got a good eye on it, just checking

 

[PEneoark]

I know you're just checking To be honest, I didn't think it would go this quick. 24 hours after I added my cultured media, I broke down 3 of 5 ppm of ammonia in 24 hours. It stalled for couple of days after that, but once it picked up, it has been non-stop. I'm over 100 on the nitrate now too. Big water change in a week

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, when the NO3 gets up there between 80 and 160 it can stall out the N-Bacs.

 

[champb20]

what kind of equipment are you using if you don't mind me asking? Also what your plan on fish that your putting in there?

 

[PEneoark]

Running an Emperor 400 and Whisper 60. ML Visi-therm 250 and 300. I have a powerhead in there for now for some extra aeration.

I guess I will do a big water change in a couple of days.

The tank will be stocked with malawi mbuna.