Kivstev

I'm going on day 12 of a 55G new tank setup. I have yet to see any measurable ammonia or nitrite. My nitrate is at 5-10, but so is my tap water. I am using the API liquid test kits and they are all about a year old. I test the tank daily.

I originally used a bottle of Hagen Cycle (I know I know, I was talked into it and figured it wouldn't hurt) and also added some filter material and substrate from an established tank. I'm also keeping the tank around 80F and have plenty of aeration.

I used 1/2 dozen Zebra Danios to get the tank started. Since I was using established filter material I figured the fish would not be in any real jeopardy, but I have not seen ANY measurable amounts. I find this odd as I've cycled a few tanks in the past and usually see something by day 4.

Besides the Hagen Cycle, the only thing that I have done differently this time is use Amquel+ as a detoxifier. I know the Amquel+ will bind the ammonia to a less toxic state, but shouldn't a reading show up on the API ammonia test kit? I'm using the FW/SW kit which I believe is salicylate based. I don't think the Amquel will totally mask any nitrite or ammonia readings?

I'm not even sure if my tank has actually cycled or has yet to begin? I have cycled tanks in less than two weeks in the past using an established Aquaclear filter, but have always seen some evidence of the cycle. Any guesses?

CHoffman

You could possiably be cycled...It's so hard to tell when you have nitrates in your tap..I do too and it's pain....I cycled mine fishless and then it's super easy to tell because you can raise the ammonia to 2ppm and let it process..But since you can't add ammonia I think only time will tell if your actually cycled or not..Since it's been 12 days i would say yes, but then again I don't know how long the product cycle tanks before it quits eating the ammonia and lets the real stuff take over. Just keep an eye on things and hope for the best..Good luck with it.

Shawnie

how long ago did you stop using the cycle?

soldieroffortune1974

The terrestrial bacteria normally lives about 5-7 days submerged,that's why with products like cycle,you have to add it so often. Amquel+ and Prime bind the ammonia but it will still show up on the test kit. I would take a reading again,then another 2 days later. If you still see no ammonia no nitrites but have nitrates in any amount showing I would agree that would be a completely cycled aquarium.With the material from the established aquarium,you should have been 90% cycled within a day or 2.

Kivstev

I hope so... just wish those nitrates would go up a bit. Thanks.

Thanks... Will do.

I added a couple caps that were left over 8 days ago. Most of the 4oz bottle went in 13 days ago (Day 1) as recommended by my LFS expert.

He said not to bother putting it in weekly like the instructions dictate.I guess he sets up a lot of tanks for businesses and said I'll be surprised at the results. He actually recommended for me not to get 'cycle fish' with this method, but some 'quality' fish as I wouldn't have any probs with ammonia or nitrite. So far I am definitely surprised.

Shawnie

if you have gone 2 weeks without the product cycle and have readings of 0 ammonia and nitrites and still have some nitrate, id say you are completely cycled with your danios and established media...

Kivstev

I hope you're right. I'm going to go ahead and add a couple of gourami and see if the numbers go up at all. Should I see anything but a subtle spike I'll put them back into their regular tank. Thanks.

Kivstev

Well, my ammonia jumped to .25 tonight after I put the Dwarf Gourami in for a day. Now I'm not sure whether that this jump is because of the increase in bio load, or if it's just starting to cycle? I'll just wait til the ammonia comes down w/o doing any water changes should it stay at .25. When it goes back down, that's when I'll think about adding some more hardy fish. Either way, the Gourami are coming out for now.

Fishless cycles from here on out.