sharpchick
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I've had freshwater tanks before, although it's been a while in between my last multi-tank adventure, and now.
Have a 10 gallon divided tank with two male bettas, one a crowntail (Frick) and the other a veiltail, (Frack). The tank has a sponge filter, heater, and silk plants (many along the divider so they don't wear themselves out flaring at each other). The boys get Hikari pellets daily, and for treats, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp (only a few, as they are both quite piggish).
I started the tank in late February 2012. I do weekly water changes (about 30%), alternating sides with the vacuuming, and rinsing out the sponge filter in tank water about once a month. The ammonia in their tank has never exceeded .50 ppm. Until 3 weeks ago, there was never any detectable nitrite. (I use an API freshwater test kit.)
Three weeks ago, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .25 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Two weeks ago, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .50 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Last week, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .50 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Today, the tank was 0-0-0. I read it twice to make sure.
My experience with cycling tanks is that it takes longer between the nitrite and nitrate cycle than just a couple of weeks. The nitrate reading on this tank has always been 0.
Could it have cycled that quickly?
Have a 10 gallon divided tank with two male bettas, one a crowntail (Frick) and the other a veiltail, (Frack). The tank has a sponge filter, heater, and silk plants (many along the divider so they don't wear themselves out flaring at each other). The boys get Hikari pellets daily, and for treats, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp (only a few, as they are both quite piggish).
I started the tank in late February 2012. I do weekly water changes (about 30%), alternating sides with the vacuuming, and rinsing out the sponge filter in tank water about once a month. The ammonia in their tank has never exceeded .50 ppm. Until 3 weeks ago, there was never any detectable nitrite. (I use an API freshwater test kit.)
Three weeks ago, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .25 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Two weeks ago, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .50 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Last week, the tank showed 0 ammonia, .50 ppm nitrites, and 0 nitrates.
Today, the tank was 0-0-0. I read it twice to make sure.
My experience with cycling tanks is that it takes longer between the nitrite and nitrate cycle than just a couple of weeks. The nitrate reading on this tank has always been 0.
Could it have cycled that quickly?
