hop2jr

I cycled a 29gal tank with fish when I did know better and it to forever like 2 months to cycle. well I just started a 75gal about a week ago useing old gravel old bio wheels but the guy who sold it to me dryed them out took one of the media bags out of my 29gal and put it in to help. right now my readings are Ammonia 1.0, Nitrites 0.25 and the Nitrates are 5.0 when will I see the ammonia lower and never realy say a nitrite spike at all. I'm using an API master kit to test and the water has been cloudy for a week do this sound like a normal cycle? water temp 82%F.

Alessa

I dont understand... if the media was dry then the bacteria are dead. the only thing you can do is do daily 50% water changes until your tank is cycled.

No wan can tell you for sure how long it will take. Just make sure you do the daily water changes.

if you want a faster cycle you can use tetra safe start, or biospira.

hop2jr

The bio wheels on the 75gal tank where dryed out but the bio bag came out of my whisper filter fresh with lots of media on it and a few snails from my 29gal.

hop2jr

ok today was weird again ammonia 1.0 nitrite 0 and nitrate 5.0 did a 20% water change and just going to wait. I never had the nitrites go to 0 before the ammonia. Was wondering if adding the media filter from my 29gal tank put to much nitrates into the system before the nitrite could eat the ammonia the nitrates eat them?

Alessa

no, its fine... it usually happens when you seed your tank with old media.

in the next couple of days you should see your ammonia lowering.

hop2jr

Thanks do I do water changes or just wait till the levels lower? Can't wait to stock it.

Alessa

do you have fish in your tank? if yes, you should do daily 50% + water changes until there is no more ammonia.

hop2jr

no fishless want to stock it looking at an empty 75gal is killing me!

Alessa

ok then no water changes, unless your readings go off the charts.

I know the feeling though.

hop2jr

That is what I was wondering if doing water changes would help the cycle or stall it an make the cycling longer.Thanks for everthing one last ? if you know would you plant the tank now or wait for the cycle to end?

Alessa

I... have heard it does not really matter. I think that since you are so close I would wait.

and about the changes... if the readings go off chart you have to change the water otherwise your cycle will stop. if the ammonia and nitrite are readable, you dont need the water changes.

hop2jr

I'll update ya in a few days and let you know what I buy. Right now the only thing that went to 0 was the nitrites and it was a dark 0 darker than the light blue which is 0 but not lav which is .25 on the API test kit