I Think My Tank Has Cycled?

[Angel98]

Its been 3 weeks now since i set my tank up for my mum and i have been doing the "Add Daily" method. Ammonia is now 0 ppm so i tested for Nitrites today and its very very light greeny colour? Is this right? I thought it was supposed to be a light bluey colour? Am i ready to do a big water change? If i am how much water do i take out? She has a 50 litre tank. Any help asap please

 

[sarena_rye]

Most people will tell you in takes about 6 weeks to fully cycle a tank, though I could easily see one making full cycle in 3 weeks if live plants and a couple fish were involved along with mature filter media. A few questions though....

1. Have you been doing water changes during your cycle?
2. Did you use any kind of jumpstart cycler on the tank?
3. Live plants?
4. Did you use any mature filter media from an already established tank?

Those questions will help people to give suggestions .

edit: Have to change a few questions after I realized through my lack of coffee that a few questions were not needed lol.

 

[Angel98]

No i have done no water changes since starting it up. there are no fish in there and i have been adding pure ammonia and i also have 1 live plant in there

Thanks

 

[Squid]

Its been 3 weeks now since i set my tank up for my mum and i have been doing the "Add Daily" method. Ammonia is now 0 ppm so i tested for Nitrites today and its very very light greeny colour? Is this right? I thought it was supposed to be a light bluey colour? Am i ready to do a big water change? If i am how much water do i take out? She has a 50 litre tank. Any help asap please

Not sure what test kit you are using.. My test kit for nitrites was between blue and purple i think. Anyway, unless the tank can turn 3-4ppm of ammonia to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites in 12 or so hours, then it's not cycled.. painful isn't it

Squid

 

[sarena_rye]

The live plant is a help in the cycling process. I've found that live plants are the main thing that cuts my own cycling times nearly in half . It sounds like the ammonia has leveled out well. I'm guessing your using a chemical testing kit (I use quick dip strips so the colors are different for me ranging from near white to very pink). Once my tanks have cycled I do up to a 30% water change on the tank, but others may do more or less depending on their preferrence and how often they do water changes normally. I change 10-15% every two-three days after the initial "big" change.

 

[Angel98]

Mine is the API Master test kit so yeah Blue - Purple! Dont know why its gone a light greeny colour unless im colour blind lol

Well i added ammonia again lastnight and have done a test today and its 0ppm and Nitrites that greeny colour

 

[sarena_rye]

Angel98 Posted Today, 12:06 PM
Mine is the API Master test kit so yeah Blue - Purple! Dont know why its gone a light greeny colour unless im colour blind lol

Well i added ammonia again lastnight and have done a test today and its 0ppm and Nitrites that greeny colour

Perhaps the test kit is malfunctioning? I couldn't really say since I don't use it . I'd give the tank a bit more time to be safe though, as you don't want to mess up your cycle by accident.

 

[Angel98]

Ive only had it a month so i doubt it.

Well i want to get my mum some fish at the weekend so you dont think its safe to do so? Ive followed all the instructions carefully on the pinned fishless cycling.

 

[sarena_rye]

If you do decide to add any fish, please don't add more than two. People's opinions vary as to what are the best fish to test a cycled tank with, but I personally like danios or feeder guppies for this job. Basically a cheaper, hardier fish is best. That way if they DO pass on there is less cost involved. Keeping the number of fish low stops you from having a sudden ammonia spike from the fish themselves, which could cause you to basically go back halfway through your cycle process and is very annoying lol. I'm really not a big one for fishless cycling because of the things that can go wrong after the cycle is "complete" when adding fish. The best I can suggest is what I stated above. Keep the fish to a minimum and make sure it's a hardy species

 

[Angel98]

Thanks for that advice. I was thinking about getting an african dwarf frog, will this be ok? Just the one to start off with?

 

[sarena_rye]

I haven't had any experience with frogs unfortunately, but I'm sure there is info on them on the forum somewhere They key is hardiness at this point, so hopefully it will work out for you

 

[Angel98]

I have a frog in my tank and he has been ok since day 1 i have had other frogs die though for some strange reason!

Does any1 else think i should start off with a frog? Would it be ok?

 

[Angel98]

Ne1? What sort of fish are hard? Platty's?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hiya Angel98, I'm afraid it doesn't sound like it's cycled yet. the nitrite spike can take twice as long as the ammonia one did so just be patient.

i'm afraid you just need to stick with what your doing until you get 0 readings for nitrite. you could try doing a 30% water change now to see as sometimes this will kick start a cycle if it's stalled.

 

[Angel98]

Well i think it is 0ppm for Nitrite its sort of a really light bluey/greeny colour, is that right Miss Wiggle? Shall i just carry on adding half of the ammonia? Also if i do a 30% water change do i just put normal tap water in?