I missed answering the question about being mature but a muture tank is generally considered to be one that has been running and problems free for a period of time (most people say a month). It is less likely to fall victim to a major problems.
Yet Another Cycling Question
- Thread starter Larissa
- Start date
If you are to the point that the the tank is pretty much completely processing ammonia and nitrite after only 3 days, it has actually been an extremely fast process rather than taking longer. I'm concerned that the tank isn't actually cycled though as the nitrite never spiked off the chart for several days and dropped slowly. How much ammonia are you adding daily and what is your nitrate reading? Have you added any chemicals other thn dechlorinator?
Here's the run-down:
1. It's been cycling for about 11 days today.
2. I add enough ammonia to raise the level to 3ppm.
4. The nitrite did spike quite considerably for about 3-4 days and has since been dropping.
5. I have not been checking nitrate daily but last time it was between 5-10. (Its about 20 out of the tap my plants are probably taking in some of it)
6. I added dechlorinator and some Nutrafin Cycle (on day 1 and day 6) just for kicks - it probably doesn't do much though. I also added some Tetra Aqua fert tables and liquid ferts.
And that's that. Any ideas are welcome.
- Larissa
1. It's been cycling for about 11 days today.
2. I add enough ammonia to raise the level to 3ppm.
4. The nitrite did spike quite considerably for about 3-4 days and has since been dropping.
5. I have not been checking nitrate daily but last time it was between 5-10. (Its about 20 out of the tap my plants are probably taking in some of it)
6. I added dechlorinator and some Nutrafin Cycle (on day 1 and day 6) just for kicks - it probably doesn't do much though. I also added some Tetra Aqua fert tables and liquid ferts.
And that's that. Any ideas are welcome.
- Larissa
I would test the nitrate to see what you have. With 20ppm from the tap and 11 days of adding ammonia, your nitrate should be very high (50+ ppm). How heavily is the tank planted? If it is very heaily planted, the plants could be using some or most of the ammonia without it being processed thus resulting in little or no additional nitrate from what is in the tap water. If you only have a few plants, they won't be much of a factor in using ammonia or nitrate.
As I mentioned, it is very odd for the nitrite to drop slowly. It is almost always a sudden 8 to 10 hour drop from off the chart to zero. I'm certainly not saying that your tank isn't cycled but just want to make sure that it is before you add fish and run into big problems with ammonia and nitrite. When the tank is fully cycled, it should be able to process the 3ppm of ammonia back to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in about 10 to 12 hours. Actually, your probably wouldn't even see much or any nitrite asit should be processed about as fast as it is produced.
As I mentioned, it is very odd for the nitrite to drop slowly. It is almost always a sudden 8 to 10 hour drop from off the chart to zero. I'm certainly not saying that your tank isn't cycled but just want to make sure that it is before you add fish and run into big problems with ammonia and nitrite. When the tank is fully cycled, it should be able to process the 3ppm of ammonia back to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in about 10 to 12 hours. Actually, your probably wouldn't even see much or any nitrite asit should be processed about as fast as it is produced.
Sorry for the very late reply (school trip). My tank is planted quite heavily with about 8 small Amazon Sword specimens and a Pearl grass 'carpet' - (the equivalent of 70s style shag carpet since it is getting verry tall! lol). Also, it is almost completely covered with Water Lettuce that is beginning to mulitply like rabbits. As a result, my nitrates are barely at 5ppm. Good news too, today my nirtite was at....suspense....0!!! (as was my ammonia). I am going to watch it for a couple of days before introducing any fish just to make sure though.
Yay and thanks for everyones help throughout this process.
-Larissa
Yay and thanks for everyones help throughout this process.
-Larissa
Chrispixx
Fish Crazy
Keep adding ammonia as you normally would. Add it early in the morning then check the levels in the evening around the same time the ammonia was added. If both ammonia and nitrIte are at zero your set to stock the tank.
Fishless cycling usually creates a big buildup of nitrAte, requiring a big water change before stocking but since your well planted this may not be needed. But a water change is recommended.
Fishless cycling usually creates a big buildup of nitrAte, requiring a big water change before stocking but since your well planted this may not be needed. But a water change is recommended.
I am still concerned that your tank is not cycled. Nitate should be very high at the end of a fishless cycle after adding ammonia for 11 days. Your plants would not use up that much nitrate but possibly could have used the ammonia in it's pure form. If there are enough plants for that, then cycling is almost irrelevant as they will use the ammonia as quick as it is produced anyway.
If your tank is cycled, you should be able to add 4 ppm of ammonia and have a reading of 0 on ammonia and nitrite in about 10 to 12 hours.
If your tank is cycled, you should be able to add 4 ppm of ammonia and have a reading of 0 on ammonia and nitrite in about 10 to 12 hours.
Chrispixx
Fish Crazy
Ok guys, to put your (and my) minds at rest I will bring the ammonia level up to 4 tomorrow morning and check again at night. That should resolve the issue I think. I honestly believe the tank is cycled (of course I would rather be safe then sorry) because after adding the media from my LFS ammonia dropped to 0 - nitrite didn't so I beleve there was some specific bacteria die-off. Now since my nitrite has spiked and dropped to 0 - albeit slowly - it seems the denitrifying bacteria is back up to numbers and the tank should theoretically be cycled. Thats the summary. Hopefully I am right, but I agree it is a good idea to double check just in case.
Thank you for your continuous help,
- Larissa
Thank you for your continuous help,
- Larissa
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