can anyone help me decipher my readings?

[boozybears]

Hi again! ok, i went out today and finally purchased nitrite and nitrate test kits (by nutrafin). For those who haven't already read my story my new 25 gallon tank is three weeks old and i have had fish in it for 2 1/2 weeks. I know that I have too many (5 platies and 4 mollies) but all are doing well so far! (keeping my fingers crossed).

I conducted all my tests but am not sure what they really mean in terms of where I might be in the cyling process:

Amonia - .5-1
Nitrite - .2
Nitrate - 10
PH - 7.2

any help would be greatly appreciated!

Val

 

[cat.fish]

i would say that you are basically done with the cyciling process. why do you think that you have too many fish? if you're thinking overstocking (sp) YOU'RE NOT.

HTH
cat.fish

 

[heresmike]

Hmmm .... sorry to disagree. The cycle is not complete until ammonia and nitrites are at 0. And that might be too many fish for cycling. Rule of thumb is one inch of fish per 5 gallons for cycling.

It's hard to say where you're at in the cycle w/o knowing if your nitrites spiked and are coming down, or if they're on their way up. I'd guess if you're seeing ammo, they're still on their way up. My suggestion would be to test daily and keep a record of what the levels are at. You should see nitrites go up, and then go down to 0.

Are you doing any partial water changes? You should do a maybe 20% change when the ammo hits 1.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[tstenback]

I agree entirely with heresmike. there is no way of knowing at this point if the tank has cycled and this is just an ammonia spike(mini cycle) or if the tank is just on its way.
Based on your readings i am guessing that this is nearing the end of a cycle or ammonia spike as i have readings similar to these after adding about the same number of fish to an established tank.
Keep measuring and keep us posted its sometimes a very long haul

 

[sinistral]

I hate to pile on, but I agree with heresmike and tstenback. I don't think the cycle is complete. 2.5 weeks isn't a lot of time to be cycling. With readings of Ammonia approx 1.0 and nitrites 0.2 I'd say you were still in the early to mid-stages of cycling. Also, that's a rather low reading for nitrates (10), again suggesting you're early in the cycle.

Looks like things are going well so far. Continue to feed sparingly and perform frequent water changes to keep ammonia below 1.0, and check parameters frequently (if not daily). In addition to watching for a nitrite spike, I'd also watch for an ammonia spike as well...

 

[FMZ]

Cycling should be almost done if he's using the New Improved Cycle product from Hagen. If not, then cycle is not done, and you should wat atleast 2 more weeks.

 

[boozybears]

ok... thanks guys! I have been doing daily partial water changes (10-15%) and using the 'Cycle' product as well. Guess I just have to be patient and sit tight for a few more weeks

Val

 

[DrOizo]

Yep I agree with the fact that your cycle still isn't complete (Maybe halfway through) its done when its done, there are no set time periods so watch the readings and when they Ammonia and nitrite are at or very close to zero then bobs your uncle you will have a cycled tank

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Relying on this product called 'cycle', even new and imporoved, is not a good idea. Not to sound repetitive but t is not cycled until Ammonia and Nitrite are 0, and only 0. The tank is not cycled untill ammonia and nitrite are 0. Has that been stated?

 

[heresmike]

The tank is not cycled untill ammonia and nitrite are 0. Has that been stated?

I was the first one to say it and I'll say it again... tank not cycled 'til ammo and nitrite = zero.

I agree about the "Cycle" product. Never did anything for me as far as I could tell.

 

[boozybears]

ok... ok.... i can take a hint I'll continue to wait ever so patiently for my amonia and nitrite to go down to '0' lol

thanks for all the info!

Val

 

[dcraveiro]

BIO SPIRA!!! Get a bag of that stuff at your LFS and you'll be set to go!

 

[heresmike]

BIO SPIRA!!! Get a bag of that stuff at your LFS and you'll be set to go!

Not all it's cracked up to be IMO. My tank was cycling for 2 weeks after using Bio-Spira and some filter media from a cycled tank.

 

[drobbins27]

The secret behind Cycle, IMO, is using it primarily to grow new, beneficial bacteria on your BIO-Wheel if you have one. A guy at my LFS told me to use it on BIO-Wheel, and I tried it and I havent had a Nitrite or Ammo reading yet. Who knows, this is only from my experience.

Hate to sound like broken record but I tihnk your cycling process is onnly half done. I'd say just be patient....Patience is the greatest gift I've recieved form keeping fish