So, When's The "official" Start Of A Cycle

[Aussie_Dog]

I set up my tank a month ago (5 weeks) and have been waiting and waiting and waiting some more, occationally noticing slight drops in the ammonia level (so slight it could have just been my imagination and eyesight, lol). Well yesterday, on a whim, I tested for Nitrite and FINALLY it went purple! So whoohoo, progress has begun!

Now my question is, am I looking at another 6-8 weeks of waiting (the amount of time I've seen averaged for cycling) or have I already gone through 4 or 5 weeks of that timeframe and just have to wait a little longer?

 

[backtotropical]

Cycling is different for each and every tank, and as such, it's really difficult to say. Just sit back and wait!

 

[Aussie_Dog]

Oooh, but I don't wannaaaaaaaaa! lol

Eh, at least now changes are happening and I can actually SEE something new every time I test. So I'm sure the time will just fly by. And as a plus, I still have time to stock up on plants and sand and ornaments and such (my sister stole two plants and gave it to a friend's Betta... Not sure how I feel about that...)

 

[Spooky76]

That does sound pretty slow...are you fishless cycling or using fish ?
What test kit are you using ?

I remember starting mine with 5 red eyes I think and it only took about 2 weeks before I had Nitrate....Might be quicker if you dont clean your filter while your waiting too.

 

[Aussie_Dog]

That does sound pretty slow...are you fishless cycling or using fish ?
What test kit are you using ?

I remember starting mine with 5 red eyes I think and it only took about 2 weeks before I had Nitrate....Might be quicker if you dont clean your filter while your waiting too.

I'm using fishless. Only thing I can think of for the slowness is that a couple of weeks ago, I drained the tank to adjust the stand, and while I kept the filter media in tank water at all times, it's possible that the minimal amount of bacteria that may have been in there died off anyway (there was a minute or two when the media was still in the filter and the filter "dumped out" the water that was in it, before I noticed)

I haven't bought a test kit yet, per se, but I do have the individual bottles of API Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate (and PH). And PH hasn't been a problem: we have a high PH, about 8, but it hasn't gone below 7 yet.

 

[Chrispixx]

What is the tank temp.? crank the heater up to 86-88 deg. or 30-32C.

 

[Aussie_Dog]

Temp is at 85 or 86 (just under 30 degrees celcius). Before I did the water change a couple of weeks ago, it was set at 89.

Honestly, I'm sure I must have killed off the initial bacteria doing the water change. The cycle is progressing now, so I'm not at all worried about it, but just wanted to know if it was normal for it to take so long.

 

[Spooky76]

Aussie - can I ask (I might be being stupid now) but why are you doing water changes ?
If you have no fish your ammonia levels will drop again, I presume you add ammonia everyday (Equivelant to several fish) and just let it rip ???

Sounds like your doing the right things though. You must be very patient...I would have been itching to get fish in it

Might be worth noting for the future that the higher the pH the more 'toxic' your water chemistry is..i.e. ammonia at 0.2 is more lethal at ph 8 than 7. Although normally the Ph comes down with time so you will probably be OK.

Keep up the good work

 

[Aussie_Dog]

Aussie - can I ask (I might be being stupid now) but why are you doing water changes ?
If you have no fish your ammonia levels will drop again, I presume you add ammonia everyday (Equivelant to several fish) and just let it rip ???

Sounds like your doing the right things though. You must be very patient...I would have been itching to get fish in it

Might be worth noting for the future that the higher the pH the more 'toxic' your water chemistry is..i.e. ammonia at 0.2 is more lethal at ph 8 than 7. Although normally the Ph comes down with time so you will probably be OK.

Keep up the good work

I've only done one water change, which was to remove nearly all the water in the tank so I would be able to lift up the tank a little bit to slide some PVC tiles under the stand (it was leaning forward). I promptly filled it back up, and the only thing I've done with the water since is to top off what evaporation took away.

I don't add the ammonia everyday; I've gone with the method of adding it once (up to 8ppm) and waiting for it to go down, then keep bringing it back up to 4-5ppm until it goes back to zero in 12 hours.