njnauticalnut
Fish Crazy
I know that you all are sick of my posts on fishless cycling. You'll be glad to know that I think my tank is just about cycled so these posts will soon go away! 
I started the cycle on May 27th so it has been a long haul.
Here is the latest:
I was away for 2 days and so I didn't test or add amonia. Prior to going away my readings were steadily amonia 0 ppm, nitrites .5ppm and nitrates 10-20ppm.
On Wednesday I added amonia (a little extra than my usual maintenance dose), when I tested on Thursday, the readings were amonia, 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates, 10-20 ppm. I then added enough amonia to get a reading of about 4-5 ppm. About 9 hours later the reading was amonia 0 ppm, nitrites 2 ppm, nitrates 10-20 ppm. Within 24 hours the reading was amonia 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates 10-20 ppm.
So within 24 hours the conversion of nitrites to nitrates is taking place. How soon should the conversion take place before the tank is completely cycled? Then how long before I can get fish? If the nitrates are 10-20 ppm should I still do an 80% water change or a smaller one? How long after the last dose of amonia should I wait to get the fish?
I appreciate all of your expert advice and assistance during this process.
I started the cycle on May 27th so it has been a long haul.
Here is the latest:
I was away for 2 days and so I didn't test or add amonia. Prior to going away my readings were steadily amonia 0 ppm, nitrites .5ppm and nitrates 10-20ppm.
On Wednesday I added amonia (a little extra than my usual maintenance dose), when I tested on Thursday, the readings were amonia, 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates, 10-20 ppm. I then added enough amonia to get a reading of about 4-5 ppm. About 9 hours later the reading was amonia 0 ppm, nitrites 2 ppm, nitrates 10-20 ppm. Within 24 hours the reading was amonia 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm, nitrates 10-20 ppm.
So within 24 hours the conversion of nitrites to nitrates is taking place. How soon should the conversion take place before the tank is completely cycled? Then how long before I can get fish? If the nitrates are 10-20 ppm should I still do an 80% water change or a smaller one? How long after the last dose of amonia should I wait to get the fish?
I appreciate all of your expert advice and assistance during this process.
Good luck and have fun with the fish selection.
