HOWsMom

6 gallon tank.
Set up on Feb. 4th.
Cycling fishless, using ammonia.
I have done no water changes yet.

Didn't get my test kit until the 11th, so that's when the info starts.

Date ---------- Ammonia ----- nitrite ----- nitrate

February-11-10 - 0.50 -------- 1.0 ------- 10.0
February-15-10 - 0.00 -------- 5.0-------- 40.0
February-17-10 - 0.25 -------- 1.0-------- 80.0
February-19-10 - 0.25 -------- 2.0-------- 80.0
February-21-10 - 0.00 -------- 0.0-------- 80.0

Shawnie

looks completed!!! a water change is in store to get the nitrates down to under 20, then good to go!
Congrats!

Butterfly

Good job cycling fishless!
Carol

Lucy

Congrats on completing the cycle!!

bolivianbaby

Congratulations! Completing the cycle is always cause for celebration!

HOWsMom

I did a big water change today (over 50%).
I'm going to watch it for another few days, with adding the ammonia still, just to be sure.

HOWsMom

Okay - the 50% water change yesterday pulled the Nitrates down to 40 PPM today.

Should I do another water change to drop them further ?


AND !

How do I proceed ? Current plan is to give the 5 gallon to my daughter (red betta), and put up the 10 gallon in the boys room, divided (blue betta + 3rd betta). The 6-gallon will stay in my room.

Option 1 : Get 3rd betta, put it in the now cycled 6-gallon. Let the other tanks finish their cycles with fish in them.

Option 2 : Move Blue Betta from boys 5-gallon into the cycled 6-gallon. Cycle the 5 gallon fishless.

Option 3 : Move Red Betta from my daughter's 1-gallon into the cycled 6-gallon. Ditch the 1 gallon (hospital or quarantine tank use in the future). Let the 5-gallon finish a cycle with fish.

Other options welcome.