MedicBiker

I finally got the nitrate and nitrite tests to go with my pH and Ammonia tests. I also got a third opinion on the readings. Here are my readings:

Ammonia: 0 (could be 0.25 - 2/3 of us think 0, 1/3 thinks 0.25)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-5 (the color was between the 0 and the 5)
pH 7.6

Do these readings indicate that my tank is cycled? I have one male betta and 3 head/taillights in a 10g with heater, filtration and aeration. Betta has been in the tank for about two weeks, head/tails for about 1 week.

capekate

If your tank is actually cycled, then those are great readings. IMO its hard to tell if it has gone through the cycle because there is not previous readings to compare it with. Like a high spike in either the ammonia or nitrites at some time.. then showing lower and lower numbers in the tests to the reading you have now would indicate a completed cycle.

My tanks when going through the cycle showed nitrAte readings before the nitrIte showed up. I know that is not usually the case, but has happened.

I dont know how long you have had this tank cycling, has it been since you added the betta fish two weeks ago? Did you add any substrate, filter media from another cycled tank to speed up the cycle? These factors can indicate a faster or slower time frame for a tank to go through its cycle.

~ kate