New Tank Cycling Help!

[Fishda45]

so i got a 5.5 gal tank saturday jun 9 2012. i've been cycling it for 5 days already. i tested it today and the readings are------ > .25 ammonia, 0 nitrate, 0 nitrite, and pH is about 7.5.... i'm planing a guppy tank. and also the tank is really cloudy and I'm doing a fish less cycle.

so my questions are..

1. should i lower the pH now using pH Decreaser?
2. should i do a water change for cloudiness?
3. what should i do for a quick cycle?

THESE ARE THE PICTURES OF MY TANK (clear and cloudy)
http/i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/fishda45/DSC_0681.jpg
http/i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/fishda45/DSC_0689.jpg
http/i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/fishda45/DSC_0690.jpg

 

[ninjacheesefish]

I'm thinking (may not be right) the reason your water is cloudy is because your experienceing a bacteria boom in your tank. This is a good thing, if its correct.

Keep doing water changes to get ammonia to 0. This would be the best thing for your future fish.

Also, if your doing a fishless cycle what are you using? Fish flakes, liquid ammonia? etc

 

[Fishda45]

I'm thinking (may not be right) the reason your water is cloudy is because your experienceing a bacteria boom in your tank. This is a good thing, if its correct.

Keep doing water changes to get ammonia to 0. This would be the best thing for your future fish.

Also, if your doing a fishless cycle what are you using? Fish flakes, liquid ammonia? etc

at first i did a cycle with one zebra danio fish, but then it died. so i felt really bad and now I'm doing a fishless cycle. i added fish flake in the first 3 days but then i stopped because the water became really cloudy.

 

[ninjacheesefish]

Are you using a water conditioner and bacteria?
Also, using fish flakes to do a fishless cycle is pretty inaccurate, as the fish flakes take different times to break down, so the ammonia level flucuates.

Again, I'm thinking the cloudyness is a bacteria boom, or the food isn't being broken down quick enough.

 

[Fishda45]

Are you using a water conditioner and bacteria?
Also, using fish flakes to do a fishless cycle is pretty inaccurate, as the fish flakes take different times to break down, so the ammonia level flucuates.

Again, I'm thinking the cloudyness is a bacteria boom, or the food isn't being broken down quick enough.

yes i use a conditioner. so this thing happening with my tank right now is normal? cause I'm really worried that the cloudiness and water change might make the cycling process longer. and i really excited to put new fish in my tank hahaha

 

[FishFanatic04]

Your filter won't be able to cycle if you are not adding an ammonia source. The bacteria that may be there could be dying back since you stopped adding anything. Your best bet, and the most recommended thing, is to add some household ammonia. It is a much more accurate way to cycle your tank and have it really ready for your fish.


The cloudy water is normal and will go away on it's own.

Beginner's Resource Center.

Bacterial Blooms
Fishless Cycling.

Hope that helps you on your way.

 

[Fishda45]

Your filter won't be able to cycle if you are not adding an ammonia source. The bacteria that may be there could be dying back since you stopped adding anything. Your best bet, and the most recommended thing, is to add some household ammonia. It is a much more accurate way to cycle your tank and have it really ready for your fish.


The cloudy water is normal and will go away on it's own.

Beginner's Resource Center.

I'm taking your advice! thank you very much! and one more question how much more longer do you think should i wait till the cycle ends?

 

[FishFanatic04]

You will need to test your water to know. Everyone has to wait a different amount of time. It takes my tanks about 5 weeks to fully cycle. Sorry to say it. You'll have plenty of time to plan the perfect fish stock though

 

[Fishda45]

You will need to test your water to know. Everyone has to wait a different amount of time. It takes my tanks about 5 weeks to fully cycle. Sorry to say it. You'll have plenty of time to plan the perfect fish stock though

thankyou. you really helped me!!

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to our forum Fishda45.
Usually we do cycling advice in the new tank area but I work here too. Let's get your pictures where everyone can see them. It means using the IMG link that is provided by people like photobucket and posting that link here as if it were so much text. The end result for your 3 pictures is this.

Now back to your questions.

1. should i lower the pH now using pH Decreaser?
Leave that darned stuff at the pet shop. Maybe someone else will find a real world use for it.

2. should i do a water change for cloudiness?
As someone has already said, it is probably a simple bacterial bloom and it will go away on its own.

3. what should i do for a quick cycle?
For a quick cycle, get a mature filter from almost anyone and wash it out well in your tank. That will provide a starter colony of the right bacteria for your filter which will give you a jump start on the cycle. When I do that to clone one filter to another new tank, I can usually finish a "fishless cycle" in less than a week.

Since your tank ammonia level has already dropped to 0.25 ppm in a week, you are making nice progress on a conventional fishless cycle.

 

[tonyale]

i use platys for cycling they do really well during cycling at least for me your water will clear in about 6 weeks

 

[FishFanatic04]

That's not generally a good recommendation tonyale. Without the full facts on fish-in cycling that can lead to some very sick fish. Fish that may live through the cycle but will have damage to their gills from ammonia poisoning. They can also have much shorter lives.

There is an article on fish-in cycling in the Beginner's section that you may like to read.

 

[OldMan47]

We all used fish-in cycling when I first started in this hobby FishFanatic04. Today we feel that a fishless cycle is better but many tanks, including many of mine, were cycled using a fish-in method. When done properly, not just add fish and neglect them, it can work out just fine. It just takes more effort than most of us are willing to do.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I did a successful fish-in when I first started. Only because I found this forum on Day 2 before there was any ammonia buildup. I just meant that when telling someone new about cycling with fish, maybe include some of the facts or lead them to the reading material provided here so they will be prepared.

Just saying to "use" platys could lead someone to lose a few fish by mistake.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I do a half and half method, silent cycling... my fish are added after about 2 weeks once I have the initial bumps out of the way and have a planted and growing tank... plus I do top it up with mature media.