Nirtrate levels NO3: Advice needed

[Shadowpearl]

I have readings of
20 NO3
Nil NO2
16+ GK
20+KH
8 PH

10US Gall tank (includes bogwood and a litre of gravel from an established tank -almost a kilo in weight)
4 B/Widow tetra

Ammonia I can't test until I get down the LFS in the next couple of hours...


What are the possibilities here? Should I freak? Or is it looking peachy?

Cheers y'all

 

[Shadowpearl]

Just had the first Ammonia read less than .5

 

[heresmike]

The nitrate and nitrite is fine, but if you're seeing ammonia, your tank hasn't cycled yet. Keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels, and don't let them get too high!

 

[Shadowpearl]

Thanks Heresmike. I appreciate the feedback

 

[Shadowpearl]

New test reads as below:

0.2 NO2 (A decrease of .3 -however, it's hard to be 100% accurate. The scale on my test doesn't deal in less than .5)
25 NO3 (An increase of 5)
Nil NO2 (Constant)
16+ GK (Constant)
20+KH (Constant)
8 PH (Constant)

78 degrees (Constant)

10US Gall tank (includes bogwood and a litre of gravel from an established tank -almost a kilo in weight)
4 B/Widow tetra

The fish have been in there six days, the tank set up for eleven. A 15% waterchange has been don for the past three days.

 

[Shadowpearl]

OOPS! The first read is actually ammonia. Everything else as reported! )

 

[heresmike]

To me it's looking like your cycle is on track!

 

[Shadowpearl]

Splendid. Thanks again for the feedback. It's reassuring to know that experienced people are out there and willing to lend a hand. I'm sure the Bubble Brothers, (my tetra), are a tad more relieved than I am -if only they knew!

 

[Dorsal]

Splendid. Thanks again for the feedback. It's reassuring to know that experienced people are out there and willing to lend a hand. I'm sure the Bubble Brothers, (my tetra), are a tad more relieved than I am -if only they knew!

How long did your cycle take??

 

[Shadowpearl]

I'm not so sure that it's over. Today tested nil again on Nitrite and Ammo. Nitrates up a tad to maybe thirty. It's a Bi-Orb and holds 10US Gall. So far eleven or twelve days but seven with fish....

The Bubble Brothers seem okay, so that's alright with me!

 

[heresmike]

Actually the cycle might be over if ammonia and nitrite are zero. It's normal for nitrates to climb between water changes. Once Nitrates reach 40, I would recommend doing a water change.

 

[Shadowpearl]

Thanks again I tested again about half an hour ago. Ammo and Nitrite are still zero, whilst nitrates are showing as 25.

I did a 10% water change almost 16 hours ago, there was some Flossy matter on the bogwood which I didn't like the look of.

If the cycle is over wasn't it a tad quick?

I must be lucky that's all I can say!

 

[Shadowpearl]

I put it down to good advice. Cheers Heresmike et al!

 

[heresmike]

If the cycle is over wasn't it a tad quick?

That actually does sound a little quick. But w/o knowing the details as to when the ammo and nitrite levels spiked and how high they got, it's hard to say. Plus, the cycle might take less time on a small tank ??

I'd definitely keep an eye on those ammo and nitrite levels. Anything above zero means it's cycling. And I would recommend waiting a couple weeks to add more fishies.

 

[Shadowpearl]

Will do! It just seems a little TOO good to be true -which means it probably is. Any ideas on the flossy stuff from the bogwood? It looks like spun candy.