Heidi125

Hello,
I have a tank that has been cycling for about 3 weeks now, 37 gal. with 3 zebra damios in it.
The nitrites are very high right now.
My question is, can I cycle the tank faster by adding water from a cycled tank.
Would this speed things up?


Thanks

Heidi

luna

The water? No, that would only raise the water parameters even more...most of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter, with other deposits in the substrate and on decor. If you could get part of the filter media or substrate from an established (cycled) tank, that could help you along.

A few questions:
- What are you testing your water with? Test strips are known to be inaccurate; most of us use and suggest the API freshwater master test kit, but any liquid test is going to be better than strips.
- What is "high"? A detailed breakdown of the numbers would be helpful.
- How often are you doing water changes, and how much are you changing each time?

I'm sure someone else will come along with more questions, but the answers to these will help us help you.

luna

o_O

That's just...freaky. I definitely think there's a water change in your immediate future, just because that's a toxic level of nitrites. I'd say you're "half-way" to being cycled (which takes much more than half of the cycling time ), though, if those numbers are right...just keep the nitrites under 1.0 for the sake of your fish. It will probably mean daily water changes until you're no longer getting toxic levels.

Also, wait for a response from someone who actually has at least one fully cycled tank under their belt...I freely admit I'm going mostly by what I've learned from others rather than actual experience. I'm almost done cycling right now, and trying to keep my nitrites under 1.0 for the sake of Kappa (my betta).

HatchetHaven

COBettaCouple

Any change it's the nitrates at 5.0 and the nitrites at 0? If so, the tank is cycled and looking good. If it really is 5 on nitrites, start doing 50% water changes daily to get it down.

susitna-flower

I trust you are reading the Nitrite and Nitrate correctly....these folks have given you good advice AT LEAST 50% changes every day until the NITRATE goes up and ammonia and nitrite are 0.....

The one thing I wanted to add is that even after your tank is fully cycled you have to do water changes, based on the test results, not on a "schedule", what I mean by this is that if the nitrate reading is over 20 you may have to do 25-50% change every other day to get them back down between 5 & 10.....it is not an exact science, but has to be adjusted to your particular tanks needs.

Heidi125

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help, I did what you recommended and the water tests are prefect!

Thanks so much and my fish thank you also!