Tank Cycling With Fish - First Readings (day 4)

Thanks Mattgirl -
I probably seem overbearing - I'll cool it.

On a positive note, I just added some live plants to the setup, so hopefully that will help the situation. It was only 30 minutes ago, but the fish seem so excited

I'll update only if things change or get worse

James

Please don't think I meant you shouldn't post your concerns. I just wanted to put your mind at ease so you wouldn't be so stressed.

There are going to be ups and downs and all of us only want the best for our water pets. We care so much we sometimes see a problem when in fact it really isn't a problem. It is good that you are keeping a close eye on your little guys.

I have a feeling your little guys will enjoy live plants. I am slowly trying to get live plants in my tanks. Even after many many years in this hobby I've never had a planted tank. It is time.

 

I'll update only if things change or get worse

Ya know...I don't think anyone will mind if you post telling us things are getting better (or does that fall under things changing?).

 

Hah -
No big changes today: Ammonia .25, 0 nitrites, 5 nitrates. The fish are digging the new plans I just got. This is day 8 of fish.

James

 

I decided today to just test ammonia and nitrites. Ammonia still 0.25 and still 0 nitrites. So - no changes. How long does it typically take for ammonia to make the nitrites to raise? It was assumed I would have a short cycle because I'm using the biowheels from the previous owners tanks.

Fish look happy and relatively healthy (Except for the one platy who looks like he was picked on a bit).

James

 

I decided today to just test ammonia and nitrites. Ammonia still 0.25 and still 0 nitrites. So - no changes. How long does it typically take for ammonia to make the nitrites to raise? It was assumed I would have a short cycle because I'm using the biowheels from the previous owners tanks.

Fish look happy and relatively healthy (Except for the one platy who looks like he was picked on a bit).

James

Since your nitrates have not gone up, you still haven't registered any nitrites and you are getting an ammonia reading I am leaning toward thinking the bio-wheels had no viable bacteria on them so you are basically doing a fish in cycle.

Just continue testing for ammonia and nitrites. Ammonia every day and nitrites maybe every other day (or you could test for them every day if you want to) As long a the ammonia is below 1 add enough Prime for the full volume of your tank. If it goes to 1 or above do a water change to get it back down and then add the Prime.

As long as you do this your fish will be safe and your tank will cycle. You don't want to add any more fish until the cycle is complete. That means 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and some nitrates. the water changes should get your phantom nitrates back down to zero so when you do start seeing them again you will know it is your cycle producing them.

 

So water change now?

 

So water change now?

If you haven't done one then yes, I would. If after the water change you are still registering nitrates do another one. Try to get them to zero.

This really isn't necessary but if you can get them to zero and then they start going back up we will know something is happening. You could just wait until they start going up from the original amount but if it were me I would have to know.

 

Awesome - first water change tomorrow morning. Thanks for the advice!

James

 

This is day 13 of fish. Readings as of today - ammonia 0 - Nitrites 0 - Nitrates 5ppm. I've done a few water changes (10%) and the nitrates haven't gone down. The issue is - the ammonia I thought was 0.25 at the highest, now 0, Nitrites have never gone above 0, and Nitrates have been steady at 5ppm for the entire time. It was speculated that because I was using 4 biowheels from the last tank, that my tank may be cycled? When is it safe to add more fish? I would assume if I didn't have beneficial bacteria that I would have started seeing something as of now, right?

James