mardangeo

Hello Everyone,

I just started my tank 3 days ago. No fish in the tank yet. I have read a bit about the cycle and one thing that surprises me is that I already have high nitrite levels (5 on the test kit strip) and the pH is over 8. Now, does this mean my tank is already beginning the cycle? The water has also turned cloudy since the second day and is even clouder today, the third day. From reading about the cycle, it seems to talk about wanting to see high nitrite levels which are usually followed by higher nitrate levels and a drop in the nitrite levels. I'm confused because I thought building high nitrite levels either took a long time or it can be made shorter with various types of cycle enhancing chemicals or adding ammonia, etc... Can someone explain where my tank is truly at, relatng to the cycle, based on the info above?

Also, I want to add some low light plants, can I do this now?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Wolfgang8810

you can add plants no problem. what test kit are you using and have you tested your tap water for ammonia nitrItes or nitrAtes? The cloudy ness is normal it is a bacterial bloom and it means you tank is starting the cycle. being that it is 3 days old i have a suspicion that you have nitrites in your water but you are just beginning the cycle probably about 3 weeks left be patient fishkeeping is a rewarding hobby.

sgould

Well, don't use test strips. They are not accurate. Liquid test kits are much more reliable. That said, try testing your water straight out of the tap to see if you have nitrites to begin with. How are you cycling the tank? What are your ammonia readings?

mardangeo

Thanks for your input wolfgang and sgould!

Well, I tested my water and nitrates either at zero or perhaps .25 or so...definitely not the reading I am getting in the tank now which is about a 5. I didn't take a reading until the second day when the water turned cloudy and had the 5 nitrate reading. Does this make you think my tank is truly starting the cycle given nitrites are not in my tap water test reading?

3 weeks? So, don't do anything for 3 weeks except keep testing? What will I note on the tests readings as to when I can add a few fish? When the nitrites are zero and such and nitrate levels rise?

Thanks again for your help.

mardangeo

I meant to say in my reply that my tap water test showed no NITRITES...

mardangeo

Also, my test kit is called "Quick Dip"....got is at Petco..

Wolfgang8810

huh im not sure but you shouldnt add fish untill ammonia and nitrItes are 0 and nitrates are on the rise. nitrates will probally be about 20 when your done wiht the cycle and you should do a water change before adding fish. for now you can focus on the decorations and adding plants.

mardangeo

So, Wolfgsang, all this info I'm reading about adding ammonia or chemicals like bio-spira (sp?) isn't necessary? I mean I already have a decent nitrite level which is what is needed to produce nitrates and thereafter the reduction of nitrites? Maybe it is my strip test kit as sgould said?

Thanks for your help.

COBettaCouple

Actually, the higher your nitrite number, the "less cycled" the tank is since those nitrite aren't being converted to nitrates. But your nitrites could be more or less than what the strips say. Those quick strips really are very unreliable and the API master freshwater kit gives accurate results at an overall cheaper cost per test since it uses liquid reagents.

I've often gotten numbers on all 3 near the start of cycling a tank and i just keep feeding it every 12 hours with flakes (or pure ammonia) until I get yellow on ammonia and blue on nitrites (0 on both) and less than 20 on nitrates.

Cloudy water could be due to gravel dust, a bacterial cloud or from fish food that you've been using to cycle the tank.

btw: Welcome to Fishlore

mardangeo

Thanks COBettaCouple. I think I will get that API test kit...several have told me now not to use the strips due to inaccuracy. I assume when you say to feed the tank flakes every 12 hours you are talking about fish food, right? If so, how much should I put in. I think I'd rather use the flakes then the ammonia but I've read about using the ammonia also.

Thanks again and it would be great if you could get back to me on the above.

Wolfgang8810

it is less work and just as effective to throw a cocktail shrimp in the bottom and let it dissolve. thats what i use

susitna-flower

Welcome to fishlore mardangeo. If you haven't been feeding your tank, there is nothing for bacteria to eat, and start the cycle.
If you choose flakes, just a medium pinch is fine. After the cycle has finished, and your Ammonia and Nitrite are 0 and your Nitrate is between 5 and 10, do a 50% water change and you can start SLOWLY adding fish. Only one or two to start. DON'T overfeed these fish as the levels of bacteria will still not be high enough to just put anything you want in the tank. Every week you can increase the fish load until you have under 1" of fish (their adult expected size) per gallon of tank.

If you take your time, you should have a stress free, healthy tank.

COBettaCouple

yea, just fish food is fine.

zigmeister

I used the tests strips at first too. I have since switched to the API test kit. The API kit will give you more accurate readings. It might be a good idea to keep a log of your levels so you can watch the cycling process progress.