jkrale

I've been cycling a tank for almost two weeks with food and "Cycle Assist". I've done daily (mostly) chemistry tests but have not seen a rise in Amonia yet. (Or Nitrites for that matter).

I am using the filter and filter media from the tank before it was emptied. (I took over the aquarium from someone else - the filter was moved to a smaller tank with water from the original tank and then into the larger tank again but with fresh water.)

Is it possible that the tank will not cycle because the filter already has the correct bacteria etc?

If not, I have a couple of plecos from the original owner. I know these fish are almost bullet proof. Could I safely/humanely add them to the tank to induce a cycle?

Lucy

Hi jkrale, Welcome to Fish Lore

The humane thing to do is a fish less cycle.

Are you showing any nitrates? Since you had used filter media, it could have contained enough bacteria to process the ammonia.

I've never heard of Cycle Assist.

frogster221

because you used the old filter its possible that the tank has already cycled itself if all of your readings say 0 then the tank has probably cycled but you still might want someone who knows better than i to come and give you better advice

Lucy

If it were cycled, there would be some nitrates.
If all 3 readings are 0, a) it's not cycled or b) the #2 test bottle for nitrates (if using the API mater kit) was not shaken up enough.

jkrale

Lucy,

I have a "Tetratest" test set - it does not include a test for nitrates. I bought it before I had a an awareness of the nitrogen cycle.

The readings I have are:

pH 7.5
Amonia - 0 mg/l
N02 - < 0.3 mg/l

I will try to get a nitrate test in the next few days.

Lucy

Are they strips? They're not as accurate as the liquid tests.

Any reading other than 0 on ammonia and/or nitrites means your tank is not cycled yet.