Cycled W/ Tss, Is It Complete?

Hi!

I started cycling my Betta tank with Tetra Safe Start + last Thursday (so a little over a week) and when I tested my water today I got .25 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10-20 nitrate (hard to be sure). Does this mean my tank is cycled and I can start doing water changes or should I wait the recommended full 2 weeks and check again?

Thanks in advance for the help! Just don’t want to hurt my fish by waiting if the cycle is already complete!

 

I see you have a fish in. You numbers would appear you are cycled or very close to it.....IF.....your tap water does not have the same level of nitrate. Check water regularly, and watch for drastic changes.

 

I see you have a fish in. You numbers would appear you are cycled or very close to it.....IF.....your tap water does not have the same level of nitrate. Check water regularly, and watch for drastic changes.

Thanks for the help! And yes unfortunately I had to do a fish in cycle because I only learned of the cycle after I brought him home (my parents kept a Betta in a unheared, unfiltered bowl when I was young so I figured my 3.7 gal with a filter was more than enough!)

After getting him home I researched “how to keep Betta happy” and immediately went out and got the tss because it supposedly safely allows immediate adding fish to new tanks.

I tested my water throughout and it has appeared to successfully reduce the ammonI and nitrite, and nitrate slowly crept up from 0 so I think it may be ready for a water change tomorrow, but of course I’ll keep checking the water and adding more supplemental beneficial bacteria.

 

Many people have been in your shape, including me. Sound like it is going to work out though!!!!!
You are talking to the right guy for TSS, I really believe it does what it says. I use it during maintenance as well. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

Many people have been in your shape, including me. Sound like it is going to work out though!!!!!
You are talking to the right guy for TSS, I really believe it does what it says. I use it during maintenance as well. Good luck, keep us posted.

Good idea, I’ll definitely keep you updated, I’m sure it’ll help someone in the future who desperately stumbles upon this thread— I know I’ve been there and it’s always better when they update with the outcome!

You’re welcome in advance people!

 

I agree. I think your well on your way to a nicely cycled tank for your Betta. ( the .25 ammonia could be in your tap It wouldn't hurt to check the water your using ) Just one thing that u forgot.... Pictures

 

I agree. I think your well on your way to a nicely cycled tank for your Betta. ( the .25 ammonia could be in your tap It wouldn't hurt to check the water your using ) Just one thing that u forgot.... Pictures

I’ve been meaning to check my tap! I’ll have to do that before the water change! I’ll test the tap now and post pics of the results.

Also some pics of my boy Floyd and his jungle kingdom in the meantime!

 

Stunning fish and tank!! very well done!!

 

I think you are good. I used it and mine also appeared cycled in a week or so. If you have any questions you can check with them direct too. I also had to do a fish-in and all worked out. I did have some other tank media in and water too, so maybe that helped. All the best to you and your Betta!

 

Stunning fish and tank!! very well done!!

Thank you so much! Quite literally blushing! He’ll be moved to a 5-8g this summer after my upcoming move, but I must say this tank has really started a passion in me. Already dying to get another Betta!

I think you are good. I used it and mine also appeared cycled in a week or so. If you have any questions you can check with them direct too. I also had to do a fish-in and all worked out. I did have some other tank media in and water too, so maybe that helped. All the best to you and your Betta!

kallililly1973 I just tested ammonia on the tank and tap again (because I tested the tank early this morning so figured there may be a change) and boom! They both appear to be zero or .25, really hard for me to say (tap on left and tank on right) but either way it’s good they’re the same right? I’m going to retest nitrite and nitrate and then do a water change if all seems well and you guys suggest I do so!

Thanks for all the help and kind words!

 

Thank you so much! Quite literally blushing! He’ll be moved to a 5-8g this summer after my upcoming move, but I must say this tank has really started a passion in me. Already dying to get another Betta!

if you go with another tank i'de like to suggest the Aqueon aqua springs 8.8 gallon. Its a great little all in one setup I've had my betta in one for close to 2 years and the swords and the rest of the plants are growing great with these little led's that are built into the waterfall light/filter system that comes with the tank.

 

if you go with another tank i'de like to suggest the Aqueon aqua springs 8.8 gallon. Its a great little all in one setup I've had my betta in one for close to 2 years and the swords and the rest of the plants are growing great with these little led's that are built into the waterfall light/filter system that comes with the tank.

Thanks very helpful! I love the look of it and I’ve been having a hard time picking a tank! I also insist on getting an all in one setup because choosing a filter just seems stressful for me.

 

Thanks very helpful! I love the look of it and I’ve been having a hard time picking a tank! I also insist on getting an all in one setup because choosing a filter just seems stressful for me.

Welcome. In the close to 2 years ive had it I only had one issue in the beginning with the lights dying but I contacted Aqueon and they sent me a brand new filter/light setup after I provided them a pic of my receipt. So that was my only flaw with that tank. but on a positive note I have a back up waterfall filter if I ever need to run something in a pinch

 

Welcome. In the close to 2 years ive had it I only had one issue in the beginning with the lights dying but I contacted Aqueon and they sent me a brand new filter/light setup after I provided them a pic of my receipt. So that was my only flaw with that tank. but on a positive note I have a back up waterfall filter if I ever need to run something in a pinch

Glad you mentioned that! I never save receipts for important purchases (new at adulting, they really need a “how to adult 101” at all colleges) so I’ll have to do that with my tank when I get it!

Also just posting an update pic of the nitrite and nitrate test I just did. It appears I have 0, and 40, so I do believe I’m cycled! Thank god for TSS!

Now I can do a water change and finally say I have a cycled tank! I feel so accomplished!

 

Yes that's a great feeling now you can sit back and enjoy your tank and do your regular maint. be sure to let your filter run for a bit and when u have to clean it don't change your cartridge just clean it in tank water and check your parameters for the next couple weeks to b sure the BB is keeping up

 

Yes that's a great feeling now you can sit back and enjoy your tank and do your regular maint. be sure to let your filter run for a bit and when u have to clean it don't change your cartridge just clean it in tank water and check your parameters for the next couple weeks to b sure the BB is keeping up

Thanks so much! And just noticed the tank pic in your comment above! I literally love your tank! What is the big plant in the middle?

Also when I do weekly water changes is 25% an alright amount to do or should I do more? And I have such a small tank it’s hard for me to know how much prime to add to the water before I add it to the tank. If I were to change out around a gallon each week would I just need a couple drops?

 

hahahaI edited my post and added the pic of my 8.8 it actually has 2 big swords a smaller one in the front and some bacopa and water wisteria buried amongst the swords.. I like to try to do 40-50% WC's personally. and as far as Prime goes I usually add to the first thread in the cap. its ok to add a little extra.

 

hahahaI edited my post and added the pic of my 8.8 it actually has 2 big swords a smaller one in the front and some bacopa and water wisteria buried amongst the swords.. I like to try to do 40-50% WC's personally. and as far as Prime goes I usually add to the first thread in the cap. its ok to add a little extra.

Awesome thanks so much for answering all my questions!