GouramiGirl1221

When I left college for the weekend on Friday, my ammonia was still spiking and there was no sign of nitrites or nitrates. I got back today, Sunday, tested my tank, and the ammonia was still at .5 (that's what it read Friday after I had changed the water), there were no nitrites, and the nitrates were up to 10. Could it have cycled that fast? Thanks in advance for the help!

Alessa

the tank will not be cycled until the ammonia is at 0.

when the tank is really cycled there will be 0 ammmonia, 0 nitrite and 5+ nitrates.

as long as you keep seeing ammonia, keep it up with the water changes.

pepetj

Are you cycling with fish in the tank? if so, do a partial water change until ammonia gets to zero. If not, don't do any water changes, just keep feeding the tank daily until both ammonia and nitrites are indeed zero and nitrates do spike; at that moment, water change and add fish.

There are two broad types of beneficial bacteria (actually it's probably more complicated than that). The presence if nitrates suggest that you have the ones that brake down nitrites in your tank already; the presence of ammonia, suggest that you need more of the ones that brake down ammonia into nitrites.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

GouramiGirl1221

I am cycling with fish, as a result of starting my first tank before I found this site! (I'm in the process of setting up a 55 gal at home, and it will be cycled fishless.) I'll keep up with the water changes. I vacuumed the gravel last night when I changed the water, which will probably help the ammonia level. My roommates dad keeps fish, and he told us not to vacuum the gravel until the tank cycled so that we wouldn't disturb/suck out the bacteria. Would it be a good idea to use some more safestart? I ordered an extra bottle for this tank when I ordered my supply for my 55 gal, so it's here if you all think it would help.

Lucy

Your ammonia level isn't that high that water changes can't fix it. Especially if you're showing nitrAtes.
I think I'd save the SafeStart for the 55g.