Need infos about cycling

[dagn]

Hi!

I bought a 30g aquarium, and I am actually trying to cycle it with 4 guppies.

I started cycling it 9 days ago and I did detect ammonia yet.

I am thinking it might be because I don't have many fishes and I have a big volume of water... would that make sense?

Or is it possible that the level of ammonia did not raise before the bacteria grows enough to eliminate the ammonia? (but I do not detect nitrite yet)

Or (hehe), can my nitrite and ammonia test solutions be expired? (I bought them a few years ago)

Can I feed them more to compensate for the fact that I have only 4 fishes in 30g? and then feed them less when I detect ammonia? (bad idea, I guess... but I don't really know)

I guess I am just too impatient :)
But your feedback would be appreciated!

Thank you!

[Nautilus29]

I would say its because of the small amount of fish in your biger tank. 4 guppies will not have that big of a bioload in a 30g tank. Try putting more fish in there and see what happens.

[dagn]

Hi!

Thank you for the advice. I added 4 White Clouds 4 days ago, and I still can't mesure any ammonia or nitrite. And my 4 Guppies have been in my tank for 14 days now.

Could my tank be cycled already? I think I will wait a few more days, and go buy new water tests. :)

[Lady Hobbs]

No, your tank has not cycled. Your ammonia has not even started to climb yet but it will. If you like the white clouds, I would add even more or get yourself some Seacheams Stability which seems to work well for adding bacteria to your tank.

Danio's are another good fish to get your cycle going. If you get a product to add bacteria, you can add more fish pretty safely if it's a decent product. Some of them aren't very effective, I'm afraid. "Cycle" is no good at all.

The bacteria boosters don't cycle for you but help hold the toxins down so your fish can survive better.

You need to remember that only a few fish will only give you a small bacteria load. When you do have a cycle, you can add only a very few every week or so or you'll throw your cycle off and have another ammonia spike. Adding a bac booster you can add more fish right away and have a decent bac load.

Make sure you do no cleaning of the tank, don't vacuum the gravel and don't change the filter media or you'll loose the bacteria you're trying to grow. Aerate the tank and turn the temps up to about 82. Bacteria likes warm water and oxygen.

[dagn]

Hi!

I am not really in a hurry to add new fish... I just want the tank cycle as soon as possible. :)

You say that "Cycle" is no good at all. Does that mean that I should not use it at all, or it means that I will not help as much as Seachem's Stability? I already have a Cycle sample I could use, and I am not sure they are selling Seachem's products here.

So bacteria boost products will not rush the cycle right? It will just make it smoother?

I will turn up the tank's temp, and it is already well aerated.

Thank you! :)