tinip40

I need to ask a question.My 55 gal.tank is in the fishless cycle spot now, last night I noticed that the water was going cloudy. I checked my levels with API Master test kit

Ammonia 0
Nirtite 0
Nitrate 5
Ph 7.4
Is there something I need to do or wil it work it self out?
I don't like to use uneccesary chemicals I kind of like all naturalbut I am getting close to gettting where I can add some fish and sure do not want them coming home to yuck water.
Thanks
Theresa

Shawnie

hi tinip..great job on a fishless cycle!! are you feeding the tank anything? or have a small piece of shrimp in it?? it looks close to being cycled..how long have you been cycleing it?

tinip40

Thanks flake feeding apx. 2 weeks now patiently waiting

but it will be worth it .
Theresa

Shawnie

awesome...patience is the toughest...just change 50% of the water and do this every other day or so and that should help you with cloudyness......your so close!

susitna-flower

If the tank is going fish less I wouldn't change the water until you are sure you are ready to add fish, then do a big change....and then add fish.

The cloudyness can be a bacteria bloom....Just two weeks and I am not so sure you are at the end.....Was your ammonia and nitrite up high at any time?

How often are you feeding the tank? It has to be at least twice a day....

You can be sure about the cycle if you add a few drops of ammonia, see the ammonia test positive, then go back to 0....

Usually you will see nitrates between 5-10 when it is done....the cloudyness should clear on its own....Usually within a week, and you will notice a higher reading on the nitrates then...

At that time do a 50-75% water change and start adding fish. You still have to add them slowly however, because you still don't have as many bacteria as in a fully stocked tank....

Add a couple of fish each week until you have what you want. At this rate you shouldn't see any spikes in ammonia. Faster than this and you will go through a mini cycle.....

COBettaCouple

It sounds like a result of the fish flakes, but could be a bacterial bloom. I would say to keep adding your flakes every 12 hours and test the tank each day for the next few days to be sure of your readings.

Did you 'seed' the tank with any filter media or substrate from a cycled tank?

When the tank is cycled, you can clean out the old fish food, put the filter media in a container of tank water and swish it around to clean off any big bits of debris and do a big water change.

Peterpiper

Hi Theresa,
The nitrates seam a little low to me, which method are you using?

tinip40

I am following the Fish cycless forum and feeding my tank every 12-14 hrs. and I have done 1 50% h20 change.It seems to be clearing up a little.I was just wondering what it was that was causing it ( for futeure reference) yes My ammonia went off the charts the first week and have gone to 0 since this may actually be the 3rd week I had already put the water in the tank a week before I explored here.Thanks for all the help Still patiently waiting

susitna-flower

Sounds like your are just about ready....CoBettaCouple has good suggestions.

So what fish are you going to add?

tinip40

I have in mind.. 2 rainbow dwarf gourami's and a couple of blue guppies (not 2 sure )a few micky mouse platys and a few neons.. I have been looking for fish from Dr.Smith's website we have a petco here where I am at and that is it.They do not have much to choose from. I just want a friendly community tank where they all get along
My theme I would like to do is rome falling... I was also looking into getting the 3d background of rocks but am not sure do you know anyone that has used that design before?
Thanks for answering and also the inquiry.Have a great day.
Theresa