Quickest Fishless Cycle Ever?

[martin_jones]

I started my fishless cycle on Monday on my 260L aquarium. The tank had been running for 1 week prior to this with gravel, plants etc (but no fish).

It was bought 2nd hand with an external filter and gravel which might have had bacteria already in it (I know that bacteria doesn't survive too long though).

I have rinsed my juwel filters from my other tank in the water a couple of times and added some plants from my other tank too. I also put my clown loaches in to get rid of a few snails. I then put them back to the other tank a day later (on Monday, prior to starting the fishless cycle).

Anyway, I added the required amount of Ammonia on Monday night to take it to 5ppm, and went to bed.

On return from work Tuesday (18:30) I did a test and the ammonia was 0.5.

At the same time on Weds, the ammonia was 0 and the nitrite was 0.

I added more ammonia to take it up to 4ppm.

Today (Thurs), the ammonia is 0, the nitrite is 0 and the nitrate is high (40ppm).

I have added more ammonia today, but could the tank have completed it's cycle already?

If so, I will do a big water change tomorrow and add some fish

Any ideas?

Martin

 

[scubadoo]

The test results sound about right, but it seems very fast indeed. I'd keep adding ammonia for a few more days and keep doing the tests to be sure. If it has cycled in 2 days I'm dead jealous

I'm on about day 12 of my cycle, and generally all's going well, but not as well as yours.
Mind you I had no way to help seed my filters

 

[Captain Retardo]

Mine was pretty quick considering all my equipment was brand new, and I didn't seed my tank. It took me 7 days

 

[chich]

mines on about day 8 and still going.

 

[Lord Zogat]

mines on about day 8 and still going.

I am on day 9 with 10 and 20 gallon tanks cycling together bridged. No drop in ammonia levels as of yet.