Cycling with Fishies

[The-Raven]

I've been cycling my tank for a week now, I know that's not nearly long enough to complain or anything.

In the last two days I've noticed a massive increase in the amount of bacteria in the tank... the filter, and the tube leading up to my powerhead are both just covered. Which is a good thing I'm inclined to believe.

My ammonia levels are still hovering between .5-2.0 depending on when I did my last water change. My nitrites have been hanging around .25. But my nitrates have actually been increasing.

I was under the impression that ammonia went first, then nitrites, then came nitrates. What's going on?


And how long will it take to fully cycle my tank would you say? I have a small population, but enough of a population to keep ammonia up.

 

[Tolak]

Usually you will begin to see nitrates as your nitrites are starting to peak. Your nitrites should start to go down soon. Sounds like a normal cycle to me.

Cycling can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, sometimes less, sometimes more.

Tolak

 

[The-Raven]

Usually you will begin to see nitrates as your nitrites are starting to peak. Your nitrites should start to go down soon. Sounds like a normal cycle to me.

Cycling can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, sometimes less, sometimes more.

Tolak

But my nitrates are going up while my ammonia is still relatively high

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I've never actually heard of anyone being able to see the bacteria in their tank.... What's it look like?

 

[Kirsty]

i'm planning on doing a cycle with fish, not this weekend but the weekend after. Have brought a testing kit, what should the levels read before i put fish in?

 

[The-Raven]

i'm planning on doing a cycle with fish, not this weekend but the weekend after. Have brought a testing kit, what should the levels read before i put fish in?

all zeros for ammonia, nitrite and nitrite.

everything else depends on your tap