shadowavenger

My 14 gallon master tank has finally cycled!! It took about 3 months! I did a water change today about 60% and afterwards I checked the nitrite levels. For the last few weeks the nitrite levels have been up beyond the test kits ability to test, even after doing water changes. But today I tested it, and it didn't change color, even after sitting for a half hour. I added prime during the water change so I wasn't sure if that effected the test or not so I went and bought a nitrate test kit and once tested the reading was 10 PPM. So the tank is cycled Finally!

I did add about a pint of rain water to the tank about 2 weeks ago but I don't know if that helped or not, but if I am right, then the bacteria are airborne and can be captured by rain water. It may be worth a try for those who are starting a new tank as it may drastically speed up the cycle! I ran the water through some carbon first to remove any pollutants but did no other treatments.

Im just happy that the thing is cycled and wanted to let it be known!

Now I might be able to seed my beta tank and get a beta soon!



HUAH!!

Lucy

I don't mean to rain on your parade but
If you tested the water right after a water change, you wouldn't get an accurate reading.
You're testing brand new water out of the tap.
It would be a good idea to wait 12-24 hrs and test again.

If you get 0 ammonia 0 nitrites with some nitrates, then we can celebrate!

Llama

Do cycles really take 3 months to complete?

*sad*

shadowavenger

it depends on alot of factors I believe. I got my tank for christmas and its cold and dry. It would take much longer in the winter since the bacteria would be present in much smaller amounts in cold dry conditions. I also didn't seed it, and when I first set it up about 3 weeks into it (I didn't know about the nitrocycle at the time) I had a major fish kill which decimated all but 4 of my fish. I thought it was a disease, so I removed all the gravel and plants and washed them with soap and hot water, I also refilled the ank with hot water (I removed my survivors into an auxiliary tank). The only thing I didn't mess with was the filter box itself but I did rinse the catridge with hot water, so basically, I wiped out the entire bacteria colony and had to start over.

I got the idea to put in rain water a few weeks ago, but I can't say if it worked or not since the tank has been in operation since mid january, so I don't know if the rain water sped up the process by adding bacteria, or if it was just time for it to happen.

Lucy

Sometimes, but normally less.

Llama

If it helps our well is full of rain water, and I filled up the aquarium with it. So guess we'll see

agabr123

congrats!

shadowavenger

Just did a full spectrum test of water parameters:

pH = 7.2
NH3 = 0
NO2- = 0
NO3- >10

So, unless Im wrong, the tank is officially cycled!

Nate McFin

To be sure you should add 1 ppm or so of ammonia and test again in 12-24 hours. If the ammonia is gone and you still don't have nitrites you are good to go. If you have nitrites then it was the water change.

EDIT...NEVER MIND....I see you already did.
CONGRATS ON YOUR CYCLE!!!

Llama

Let the fish-adding begin

Lucy

I'm sorry, I might have missed something. So I want to be sure.
After your water change yesterday did you add ammonia and your readings are now 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and >10 nitrate?

shadowavenger

I didn't add ammonia but I have a full stock of fish, over stocked actually with the number of fry I have and how big they have gotten. a few weeks ago I couldn't even get the ammonia below 4 PPM with mass water changes, then during the nitrite phase, everytime I tested the tube almost immediately turned a dark purple. as of now, neither the NH3 or NO2- tests turn color. The nitrate turns a dull orange color.

Lucy

Forgot about your fish!


Congrats! Your readings look good!