I Think I'm Finally Done Cycling! Or Am I?

I've been busy with work all week, I haven't been able to test the water since Sunday, so I'm finally testing today and everything seems to zero out, (pictured). Last Sunday my Nitrates were around 5.0, but Nitrites were still 2.0, so I thought I'd still have some more waiting actually.
So my question is, the instructions for cycling say to perform a water change when my Nitrates gets high, but they barely went up from zero, and now back to zero. Do I still wait for Nitrates? Another 25% water change? Am I finally ready to add fish?

 

Were you adding ammonia? I suppose the moss ball could have used up the nitrates and if there was no ammonia source to make more they could have zero'd out.

 

The only I've been "feeding" the tank was the tropical flakes, and I haven't missed a feeding. I haven't had ammonia reading since Jan 30th, .25. Water change on Feb 1st, 0 ammonia since then.

 

The only I've been "feeding" the tank was the tropical flakes, and I haven't missed a feeding. I haven't had ammonia reading since Jan 30th, .25. Water change on Feb 1st, 0 ammonia since then.

That should have kept an ammonia source in there and was feeding the bacteria. Since your nitrites have gone down to zero and it has produces some nitrates I have to think the tank is cycled and ready for fish.

Since your ammonia level has been so low I don't think you will have a big colony of bacteria so start with just one of two fish to begin with. Just keep a close eye on the ammonia level. If you have a spike add Prime if you have it to protect you fish and give the bacteria time to catch up. If you don't have it I do recommend you get a bottle of it.

Most of the time any of the many water conditioners will work just fine but when there is an ammonia spike or a chance of one Prime is a good product to protect the fish from ammonias damaging affects.

 

Thank you! That's very exciting news! Now I have think about some good fish. Is prime very different from water conditioner?

 

Thank you! That's very exciting news! Now I have think about some good fish. Is prime very different from water conditioner?

Prime is first and foremost a water conditioner but it has the added benefit of neutralizing low amounts of ammonia and nitrites. I both use it as my main water conditioner and recommend it whenever there is a chance of an ammonia spike.

It may seem to be a bit more expensive than some of the water conditioners but it is so concentrated a little goes a long way.

 

Prime is first and foremost a water conditioner but it has the added benefit of neutralizing low amounts of ammonia and nitrites. I both use it as my main water conditioner and recommend it whenever there is a chance of an ammonia spike.

It may seem to be a bit more expensive than some of the water conditioners but it is so concentrated a little goes a long way.

Thank you again! I can pick up a bottle when I pick up my first fish. I'll make a post here shortly about stock suggestions, I've really appreciated your input so far!

 

Thank you again! I can pick up a bottle when I pick up my first fish. I'll make a post here shortly about stock suggestions, I've really appreciated your input so far!

You are so very welcome.