Where Am I In My Cycle?

[judi]

Hello members, newbie here hoping for advice. On 09/02 I began my journey into owning my own tropical fish aquarium (had spent many hours as a child with my dad enjoying his hobby). At my lfs (privately owned) I purchased my 45 gallon aquarium (36L x 24H x 13W), Marineland C220 canister filter, air stone, gravel and decorations along with Nutrafin Cycle which I was told would when used would promote a "fishless cycle".

During the first week I added several plants (1-amazon sword, 1-anubius, 2-java ferns, 1-water sprite and a floating java moss ball), decorated and continued to add Nutrafin Cycle as directed. At the end of a week I collected a water sample and went back to the same lfs had it tested and was told I could add some fish to finish the cycle. Because of my tested ph 6.0 - 6.5 I choose to start with 2 red eye tetra, 2 headlight tailight tetra and 1 black phantom tetra (suggested by the owner)and all absolutely beautiful fish. At this time I also purchased my API master test kit.

At this time I started testing my water daily (API master test kit)and I found myself confused to say the least....I read about the nitrogen cycle and the types of cycling and was led to believe that this purchased product would take care of the cycle in a safe and fishless manner. Every day since adding the fish my readings are Nitrate 5.0ppm / Nitrite 0 / ammonia .25 ppm. So everyday or every other day I do a 15% pwc to keep the fish I have safe (they seem to be doing well - active, good color, eating & swimming mid tank). I also add Prime as my water conditioner whenever doing a pwc. My tap water tests 0 in ammonia/nitrite/nitrate.

I just need to know where I am in the cycle and if what I'm doing is okay and what to expect next. So sorry for rambling and just throwing everything out there but I am betting that I will get the best information here from the people who have gone through it all and succeeded. Thanks so much just for reading this!!!

 

[snazy]

Welcome to the forum. You can learn a lot here, but not from me

In order for the nitrogen cycle to be started in a tank, you need an ammonia to be added to the tank. There are two ammonia sources that can be used:

1.using fish(they produce ammonia), which is called fish-in cycle

2. or using pure ammonia from a bottle(without additives that can be potentially harmful)

This is all explained in the beginner's section here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

The nitrogen cycle can take from 2-3 weeks to 2 months so your tank is definately not cycled. Since you have already added fish, you are doing a fishing cycle and from what I read you are doing great so far keeping the ammonia as close to 0 as possible by water changes. I would advise to do more than 15% water changes though as you are removing only 15% of the ammonia present in the water. If your test reads 1ppm, then doing a 15% water change would leave 0.85 ppm ammonia and the water change renders useless as the fish are still being poisoned in ammonia.

You asked what the next stage is, well expect the ammonia to rise and rise, keep it at bay with large water changes draining the tank to the point to just leave the fish swimming upright ok. Then in a couple of weeks or so, the nitrIte will start rising. The nitrIte stage is even longer and any reading on the test is lethal for the fish. Keep doing large water changes till your filter sponges have grown enough good bacteria to deal with it too. Once the cycle is over, the bacteria on the filter will keep the ammonia and nitrItes produced by the fish at 0 at all times and convert these to NitrAtes which are not poisonous to fish, but need to be kept at 20-30ppm max by weekly water changes or what works best for you.

Once the cycle is over, don't do more than 50% water change at a time unless extremely necessary, don't wash your filter sponges for a couple of months at least to make sure the good bacteria is well established. Never wash the filter or filter sponges in tap water(use water from the tank itself) as it will kill the bacteria and never change them, unless they are falling appart afer a few years. By then, you may either not have fish anymore, or you may have got the "Multiple tank syndrome" many of us got infected with Watch out, it's super contagious

Good luck

 

[judi]

Snazy, so appreciate the information..I'll continue to do the water changes and increase the amount as suggested because I am determined to keep my fish healthy during this process. Seriously, you explained it perfectly..I've read so much lately that my head started to hurt from all the conflicting information. My fish are doing well with the daily water changes so I will continue and hopefully this will be over soon. I did read an article that stated because my ph is naturally low the cycling process may take longer than usual but has also kept the ammonia low so I guess that's a good thing.

Again, thank you & I look forward to sharing "fishy" stories with you soon!

 

[snazy]

Snazy, so appreciate the information..I'll continue to do the water changes and increase the amount as suggested because I am determined to keep my fish healthy during this process. Seriously, you explained it perfectly..I've read so much lately that my head started to hurt from all the conflicting information. My fish are doing well with the daily water changes so I will continue and hopefully this will be over soon. I did read an article that stated because my ph is naturally low the cycling process may take longer than usual but has also kept the ammonia low so I guess that's a good thing.

Again, thank you & I look forward to sharing "fishy" stories with you soon!

Good luck. I am sure you'll manage. The only side effect is back pain from carrying buckets around every day
Yes, the Ph will cause a slower cycle but it also keeps the ammonia less toxic to the fish wich is an advantage on its own.

 

[judi]

The only side effect is back pain from carrying buckets around every day

I now consider the daily pwc part of my workout routine. I have even become a better house keeper...while siphoning out the water I become so intent on watching the fish that I have neglected to notice the overflowing bucket and I end up having to mop up the floor