5 Gallon Tank First time testing, need help!

Hi! Im just starting fish keeping and just got my first tank, it’s 5.5 gallon for a betta fish. I’m having trouble figuring out how to cycle my tank correctly. I might be a little paranoid but I really want to make sure my betta will be okay once I put it in the tank. So if someone can let me know if my test levels are okay or how to tell if they are good or not that’d be much appreciated!

I started cycling my tank 4 days ago, I added 7 drops of API Tap water conditioner, and 5 ml of API QuickStart. I’ve also been adding a few pellets of fish food to the tank every other day. The QuickStart says you can add fish immediately but after reading a little I decided to wait to make sure.

I’m using the API freshwater master test kit. My pH read 7.6, High Range pH was around 7.8, Ammonia 0, nitrite 0. As for nitrate, my understanding is that 0ppm means your tank isn’t cycled correct? This is where my nitrate level is at and I’m not sure if it’s okay to put my fish in.

I just really want to make sure my tank is okay before I put my fish in so any info is much appreciated!

 

Hi! Im just starting fish keeping and just got my first tank, it’s 5.5 gallon for a betta fish. I’m having trouble figuring out how to cycle my tank correctly. I might be a little paranoid but I really want to make sure my betta will be okay once I put it in the tank. So if someone can let me know if my test levels are okay or how to tell if they are good or not that’d be much appreciated!

I started cycling my tank 4 days ago, I added 7 drops of API Tap water conditioner, and 5 ml of API QuickStart. I’ve also been adding a few pellets of fish food to the tank every other day. The QuickStart says you can add fish immediately but after reading a little I decided to wait to make sure.

I’m using the API freshwater master test kit. My pH read 7.6, High Range pH was around 7.8, Ammonia 0, nitrite 0. As for nitrate, my understanding is that 0ppm means your tank isn’t cycled correct? This is where my nitrate level is at and I’m not sure if it’s okay to put my fish in.

I just really want to make sure my tank is okay before I put my fish in so any info is much appreciated!

Welcome! That does not look like zero nitrate in my opinion. Looks closer to five ppm if you ask me. If you have zero ammonia, nitrite, and a little nitrate, your tank is good to go with fish (lightly stock at the start). Also, the Nitrate test bottle #2 from API needs to be shaken vigorously like your life depends on it for a more accurate reading.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!
Most tanks do not cycle in 4 days. It usually takes roughly a month or more. I would say those Nitrates are coming from your tap water. You may want to do all of the tests on your tap water also so you have a base of where you are starting from.

 

Hi! Im just starting fish keeping and just got my first tank, it’s 5.5 gallon for a betta fish. I’m having trouble figuring out how to cycle my tank correctly. I might be a little paranoid but I really want to make sure my betta will be okay once I put it in the tank. So if someone can let me know if my test levels are okay or how to tell if they are good or not that’d be much appreciated!

I started cycling my tank 4 days ago, I added 7 drops of API Tap water conditioner, and 5 ml of API QuickStart. I’ve also been adding a few pellets of fish food to the tank every other day. The QuickStart says you can add fish immediately but after reading a little I decided to wait to make sure.

I’m using the API freshwater master test kit. My pH read 7.6, High Range pH was around 7.8, Ammonia 0, nitrite 0. As for nitrate, my understanding is that 0ppm means your tank isn’t cycled correct? This is where my nitrate level is at and I’m not sure if it’s okay to put my fish in.

I just really want to make sure my tank is okay before I put my fish in so any info is much appreciated!

This might help?
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

 

Oh, I did not see that you started this tank 4 days ago, tanks do not cycle that quickly even with established media. Ignore my first post. I agree with both Stargirl and Dunk2 on this, I would read up on the Nitrogen Cycle and it would be most recommended to do a fishless cycle before you put your Betta in there.
PS: I guess I am just really blind today.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!
Most tanks do not cycle in 4 days. It usually takes roughly a month or more. I would say those Nitrates are coming from your tap water. You may want to do all of the tests on your tap water also so you have a base of where you are starting from.

Okay thanks for the info I’ll definitely do that! Also If I were to use Fritz Turbo Start would that cycle my tank correctly fast?

 

Okay thanks for the info I’ll definitely do that! Also If I were to use Fritz Turbo Start would that cycle my tank correctly fast?

Are you planning on doing a longer but less risky fishless cycle or a faster but much more risky fish-in cycle in this tank? I personally don't think that any of those auto cycle products work as marketed 100 percent, it can definitely help speed up the cycling process though. Each aquarium is different in how much bacteria is needed to convert the Ammonia and Nitrite into Nitrate. Daily tests and water changes will be your best friend either way with cycling your aquarium fishless or fish in.

 

I have looked at some videos and it seems like the Turbo start will speed up the cycle, but it is still a few weeks at least. You have to have a heater that can go higher and The bacteria needs to be refrigerated so it is hard to get sometimes. You still have to dose ammonia like a normal fishless cycle.