I used TSS and I think it cycled my tank in 4 days

Mind you that my tank was partially cycled before I did this and I had to get rid of the nitrites and ammonia for a short time before putting the fish in to use tss it's a long story but I kept them safe and they are in my 20 gallon now. The problem I have is TSS says not to change the water for 1 week but my ammonia is 0 PPM nitrites 0 PPM and nitrates a bit above 20 but not at 40ppm. It's darker than the 20 PPM but lighter than the 40 PPM if that makes sense. So what do I do folks :S? As always any help will be greatly appreciated

Nick

 

Looks good to me! Congratulations!
Keep an eye on the paramters for while just in case

 

I shall I don't really feel comfortable doing a water change till day 7 I'm going into day 5; If it goes to 40 PPM should I do a water change?

 

Wow great job! I'm so jealous after having a failed cycle. Good to know that it did work for you - I am still holding out for my 5 gallon tank that I did TSS on 6 days ago!

I'm no expert but if your water parameters are that good, wait and keep testing every few days!!!!

 

I shall I don't really feel comfortable doing a water change till day 7 I'm going into day 5; If it goes to 40 PPM should I do a water change?

I did a 50% water change in my 16gal bowfront on day 4 or 5 of a TSS cycle because ammonia seemed too high for my liking (.5ppm), and my tank still cycled perfectly in 10 days. I wish I could say the same for the 10gal that I added TSS to at the exact same time and did no water changes. so, it seems that water changes don't hurt the cycle process too much... at least in my case. I used AquaSafe (a sample packet that came with my 10gal kit) to treat the water, and that may be the reason the water change didn't seem to hurt anything. good news on cycling so quickly tho!!

 

I did a 50% water change in my 16gal bowfront on day 4 or 5 of a TSS cycle because ammonia seemed too high for my liking (.5ppm), and my tank still cycled perfectly in 10 days. I wish I could say the same for the 10gal that I added TSS to at the exact same time and did no water changes. so, it seems that water changes don't hurt the cycle process too much... at least in my case. I used AquaSafe (a sample packet that came with my 10gal kit) to treat the water, and that may be the reason the water change didn't seem to hurt anything. good news on cycling so quickly tho!!

I think it could be a variety of factors like different filter media, more surface area like glass in a larger tank for the AOB and NOB colonies to attach on to. From what I read they actually use a sort of gelatinous membrane to attach to stuff as a whole colony. So I would venture to guess that the more surface area E.G substrate, glass, decorations, filter media like sponges I would think hold more than some of the carbon/sponge like cartridges.

Just because of surface area alone; I agree water changes should not effect it too much at all, if at all. Because AOBS and NOBS are not free floating the water change shouldn't matter too much. Unless maybe you vastly change the temp of the water.. that I hear can do some damage. Aquasafe + is what I'm using because it's all they had. It probably is because ammonia detoxifiers like prime or amquel + kill the BB in TSS.. at least at first because they come in an ammonia solution which to my best guess would dilute in the water and then act as a minor source to kick start the cycle.

Jwebbe

I assure you too much reading has went into me learning about the AOB and NOB colonies and I'm still learning . I also read a TSS Q & A where someone emailed a tetra rep and got some answers for TSS that helped me a lot. Like knowing prime or any ammonia detoxifier would be bad with TSS. Unless you like reading scientific papers on BB and such it's nothing to be jealous of too much What I've learned with TSS is never use ammonia detoxifiers unless it's 24 hours after you put it in. When I spoke to a tetra rep myself on the phone she told me to let it sit in my filter for 15 mins while it was off before putting it back on.

My guess so that it can sit where it needs to build the most colonies before going into the water to attach to the glass, substrate and other surface areas. Pretty much other than that you add fish and hope for the best. Also Jwebbe remember my tank was already somewhat cycled giving me nitrate readings before I added TSS in there. That could be why this was so quick. Hopefully that may help you sometime in the future and thank you all for the positive feed back! I will have pictures sometime today I hope Have a great Sunday all!

Nick