skimpy
Fishaholic
Ok I know we would all like an instant way to cycle a tank and I may yet eat my words but it appears that my tiny 2.6 gallon tank cycled in 11 days.
Day 1 set up tank with dechlorinated tap water (purely to keep 2 plants alive that I'd bought)
Day 2 did 100% water change replacing all water in tank with my discarded water from my main tanks water change. Added filter media from main tank.
Day 3 readings PH 7.4 Am 0 Nitrite 0.25 Nitrate (no test)
Day 4 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 0.5 Nitrate 40
Day 5 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 0.5 Nitrate 80
Day 6 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 80
Day 7 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 8 readings PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 9 readings PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80+
Day 10 readings PH 8.0 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 11 readings PH 8.0 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 40
Did 50% water change and readings became PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20
All throughout this i added flake 3 times a day as I would if my babies were in the tank.
I then added 3 babies per day for four day (total 12 babies all five weeks old)
Parameters have stayed stable since at PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20, for last 5 days
Finally yesterday I did a 25% water change for maintenance and parameters still looking good.
The baby fish seem to love it in their new tank, they have somewhere to assert their personality, hide from others when necessary, and have fun.
I can't believe how well it all went. (As I say I may eat my words but it all seems to be working well)
It is cos small tanks cycle quicker, or have I just been lucky???
Day 1 set up tank with dechlorinated tap water (purely to keep 2 plants alive that I'd bought)
Day 2 did 100% water change replacing all water in tank with my discarded water from my main tanks water change. Added filter media from main tank.
Day 3 readings PH 7.4 Am 0 Nitrite 0.25 Nitrate (no test)
Day 4 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 0.5 Nitrate 40
Day 5 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 0.5 Nitrate 80
Day 6 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 1.0 Nitrate 80
Day 7 readings PH 7.6 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 8 readings PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 9 readings PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80+
Day 10 readings PH 8.0 Am 0 Nitrite 5.0 Nitrate 80
Day 11 readings PH 8.0 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 40
Did 50% water change and readings became PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20
All throughout this i added flake 3 times a day as I would if my babies were in the tank.
I then added 3 babies per day for four day (total 12 babies all five weeks old)
Parameters have stayed stable since at PH 7.8 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20, for last 5 days
Finally yesterday I did a 25% water change for maintenance and parameters still looking good.
The baby fish seem to love it in their new tank, they have somewhere to assert their personality, hide from others when necessary, and have fun.
I can't believe how well it all went. (As I say I may eat my words but it all seems to be working well)
It is cos small tanks cycle quicker, or have I just been lucky???
Cool, maybe you have found * 
looks around* the way of the tank cycle 
