Not Sure What Stage My Cycling Is At, Can Anyone Help

[zigzagabout]

Hi I set up a new tank 6 days ago, I put in a filtre sponge from my well established tank and also an ornament plus some gravel. I did some tests and on the first 3 days I had readings of PH 8.2 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80 on day 4 PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 20 Ammonia 0
On day 5 I did a large water change to try to bring down the PH and also to clear the cloudyness. Tests are now PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 40 ammonia 0.

I can't work out why I am not getting any ammonia readings. I thought it should be high to begin with and then drop. Is it because I put in the filtre media from other tank, or have I killed the bacteria. I have been putting small amounts of fish food in the tank to feed the bacteria but can anyone tell me why I am not getting any ammonia readings?

I was thinking of putting another sponge filtre from my established tank and a prawn to feed it. Anyone think this is a good idea? Or will this make the situation worst?

 

[Termato]

Hi I set up a new tank 6 days ago, I put in a filtre sponge from my well established tank and also an ornament plus some gravel. I did some tests and on the first 3 days I had readings of PH 8.2 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80 on day 4 PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 20 Ammonia 0
On day 5 I did a large water change to try to bring down the PH and also to clear the cloudyness. Tests are now PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 40 ammonia 0.

I can't work out why I am not getting any ammonia readings. I thought it should be high to begin with and then drop. Is it because I put in the filtre media from other tank, or have I killed the bacteria. I have been putting small amounts of fish food in the tank to feed the bacteria but can anyone tell me why I am not getting any ammonia readings?

I was thinking of putting another sponge filtre from my established tank and a prawn to feed it. Anyone think this is a good idea? Or will this make the situation worst?

Do not feed any more food into the tank. You have already past that part in the cycle.

By seeding the tank like you did with the sponge it provided the beneficial bacteria to kick start it.

Once you saw high nitrites like that and no ammonia that means you have already past the part where ammonia is a problem. Once you see nitrites you want to stop adding ammonia/food.

Are you sure you are testing Nitrates correctly? Are you using API Master Test kit? Shake regent two vigorously for over 1 minute.

IF you are reading 0 Ammonia and you are reading nitrites then you are almost done. Once you read 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia You should see a high level of nitrates -- do a massive 50-70% water change and test every day for 3 days to make sure you have no ammonia or nitrite. Once you get 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite you should be done cycling.

 

[zigzagabout]

Hi I set up a new tank 6 days ago, I put in a filtre sponge from my well established tank and also an ornament plus some gravel. I did some tests and on the first 3 days I had readings of PH 8.2 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80 on day 4 PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 20 Ammonia 0
On day 5 I did a large water change to try to bring down the PH and also to clear the cloudyness. Tests are now PH 8.0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 40 ammonia 0.

I can't work out why I am not getting any ammonia readings. I thought it should be high to begin with and then drop. Is it because I put in the filtre media from other tank, or have I killed the bacteria. I have been putting small amounts of fish food in the tank to feed the bacteria but can anyone tell me why I am not getting any ammonia readings?

I was thinking of putting another sponge filtre from my established tank and a prawn to feed it. Anyone think this is a good idea? Or will this make the situation worst?

Do not feed any more food into the tank. You have already past that part in the cycle.

By seeding the tank like you did with the sponge it provided the beneficial bacteria to kick start it.

Once you saw high nitrites like that and no ammonia that means you have already past the part where ammonia is a problem. Once you see nitrites you want to stop adding ammonia/food.

Are you sure you are testing Nitrates correctly? Are you using API Master Test kit? Shake regent two vigorously for over 1 minute.

IF you are reading 0 Ammonia and you are reading nitrites then you are almost done. Once you read 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia You should see a high level of nitrates -- do a massive 50-70% water change and test every day for 3 days to make sure you have no ammonia or nitrite. Once you get 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite you should be done cycling.

Hi thanks for your reply, do I not need to keep feeding the bacteria to make sure it continues to grow/ multiply?

 

[drobbyb]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

 

[Termato]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

I think you mean Nitrate (that is a 2 part solution with 8 drops eachs). The nitrite test is quite reliable (1 part solution with 5 drops).

I would say not to add any further food (if you do...don't add as much). If you have been adding food every day for a week you have created enough build up that in 3-4 days the food you added today will start to decay. This really depends on how much food you added. Like Drobby states, if not enough is present it will starve them.

Personally, by looking at the numbers you have posted you should be fine. Did you vacuum the gravel when you did the water change?

What are your parameters now?

In no more than a week you should be done with how it has gone so far.

You will have to vacuum the gravel or substrate before adding fish (just to top layer). don't disturb the gravel just hover over the top to pick up any extra stuff.

---

Do you have any plants?

 

[pdludbrooke]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

I think you mean't nitrAte ?
You need to bang that bottle 2 on a table several times as you shake it.

 

[zigzagabout]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

I think you mean't nitrAte ?
You need to bang that bottle 2 on a table several times as you shake it.

Thanks everyone, I have only put a small pinch of food in each day, not sure if enough. Should I still put in another sponge filtre to add some bacteria? Also will the PH come down on its own or will I need to keep doing water changes?

 

[Termato]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

I think you mean't nitrAte ?
You need to bang that bottle 2 on a table several times as you shake it.

Thanks everyone, I have only put a small pinch of food in each day, not sure if enough. Should I still put in another sponge filtre to add some bacteria? Also will the PH come down on its own or will I need to keep doing water changes?

Just keep with the food addition your doing then until you see nitrites start dropping.

I don't think an additional sponge filter is necessary. You should be fine how it is going now.

What is the pH level of your tap water? That will determine the answer. If your pH in the tap water is lower then yes water changes daily will help resolve this problem. If your pH in the tap water is the same you will need to approach is differently.

 

[Teacher Martyn]

Hello,

I'm in a similar situation. Daily zero ammonia for coming up for 10 days now.

Nitrites still high but tank is planted, with some leaves deteriorating around the tank, a couple of (uninvited) snails and a daily ammonia shot.

Should I now stop adding the ammonia as the biological decay will provide enough? Maybe an occasional sprinkle of fish food?

 

[zigzagabout]

You need to keep adding an ammonia source. You still need to feed those a-bacs, otherwise they will starve. It takes a while for the n-bacs to kick in sometimes, so don't fret. Just keep testing and be patient! The Nitrite test kit is notorious for giving inaccurate results unless you follow the directions exactly. Make sure you shake that number 2 bottle vigorously!

I think you mean't nitrAte ?
You need to bang that bottle 2 on a table several times as you shake it.

Thanks everyone, I have only put a small pinch of food in each day, not sure if enough. Should I still put in another sponge filtre to add some bacteria? Also will the PH come down on its own or will I need to keep doing water changes?

PH in my tap water is 7.4 which is what my other tank is as well, so I will need to keep doing the water changes to bring it down I think. I also put in 3 plants yesterday to help bring the Nitrates down? Is that right? Plus I will keep feeding the bacteria with some food.
Just keep with the food addition your doing then until you see nitrites start dropping.

I don't think an additional sponge filter is necessary. You should be fine how it is going now.

What is the pH level of your tap water? That will determine the answer. If your pH in the tap water is lower then yes water changes daily will help resolve this problem. If your pH in the tap water is the same you will need to approach is differently.

 

[drobbyb]

Oops! You are right! Nitrate is the one that needs to be shaken well. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Termato]

Hello,

I'm in a similar situation. Daily zero ammonia for coming up for 10 days now.

Nitrites still high but tank is planted, with some leaves deteriorating around the tank, a couple of (uninvited) snails and a daily ammonia shot.

Should I now stop adding the ammonia as the biological decay will provide enough? Maybe an occasional sprinkle of fish food?

How high is the nitrite?
What is your nitrate at?

 

[Teacher Martyn]

Hello,

I'm in a similar situation. Daily zero ammonia for coming up for 10 days now.

Nitrites still high but tank is planted, with some leaves deteriorating around the tank, a couple of (uninvited) snails and a daily ammonia shot.

Should I now stop adding the ammonia as the biological decay will provide enough? Maybe an occasional sprinkle of fish food?

How high is the nitrite?
What is your nitrate at?

Sorry to but in on someone else's post but...

Nitrite's deep purple so I'm saying 0.5+
Haven't bothered with Nitrates for a while. They were showing orange on the 13th at about 5, I reckon.

Cheers.

 

[JDs4me]

drobbyb made the important point that you should be adding ammonia right up until the point you add fish - if you don't then the ammonia-converting bacteria will die off. Just wondering, are you doing that? I think you'll find that that is what you should be adding daily, not flake!

 

[pdludbrooke]

drobbyb made the important point that you should be adding ammonia right up until the point you add fish - if you don't then the ammonia-converting bacteria will die off. Just wondering, are you doing that? I think you'll find that that is what you should be adding daily, not flake!

I think they are adding flake as they don't have ammonia, the food will eventually turn in to ammonia or cause ammonia as it gets old.