Well I think my cycle is almost complete I think. I also think I was lucky not to lose any fish so far(knock on wood), I have learned a ton over the last month thats for sure.
My question is this:
With my readings NH3=0ppm, NO2=.5-1ppm(closer to .5 I think), and NO3=5-10ppm. My regularly scheduled 25% water change and gravel vac are coming up on Teusday, should do it or put it off? I dont want to kill my cycle so close to the end, my last water change was friday I did a 20% change my nitrite was around 1 at that point.
Hi halibut..just do the water change without cleaning out the gravel..just skim the top of the water area.....isnt it a great accomplishment knowing you are near the end? congrats!!
Since the bacteria isn't in the water, but in the gravel, filter media and on decorations and glass, don't worry about water changes.
As a matter of fact, I would be doing AT LEAST 25% every day when the ammonia or nitrite are over 0.....
So do your scheduled water change, and then after the ammonia and nitrite reach 0 and nitrate is up, change 25-50% water each week, or enough to maintain nitrate around 10...20.
Yes it'll be quite nice not to do daily changes anymore, next tank starts fishless. I've been ill(traded work for a couch this weekend) last couple days so no changes since friday, was going to try today maybe. You dont need to keep the nitrite level up a bit until the cycle complete's? I thought you should see it fall to 0 naturally at this point.
Nitrite came down to between .25 and .5 so its reducing on its own I'll have to wait for tomrrow's water change, still sick but well enough to work I guess
