Cycling Questions

[ReptileLuver729]

Ok so everything has been set up for like 12 hours. I soaked used filter cartridges from my turtle tank filter in the water to get some nasty stuff in the water for bacteria. I tested the the Ammonia using my API Master Test kit and it read 0 ppm. Is that good? What should I do next?

[snipesxxx]

to cycle you need a ammonia source pure ammonia, fish(poo/pee), rotting shrimp, fish flakes, ect. You still got a long while to go. Got fish in the tank?

About cycling:
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[TazManiac]

I second the above. You should have no ammonia if you have no fish yet or if your not adding ammonia some other way. Great idea adding the filter gunk to your tank as it may contain a bit of the bacteria you need in your filter/tank to support the fish. Try finding some ammonia to add, be it pure, fish, rotting shrimp or fish flakes as suggested by Snipes.

[ReptileLuver729]

So I could add a bunch of fish flakes and maybe scoop some of my turtles poop out of his tank and stick it in the water today. Then for the next few days check Ammonia and Nitrite and and put some fish flakes and turtle ickies in? Then when the Ammonia gets up there do I add less flakes and ickies each day while still testing it? After the Ammonia spikes dont the nitrites start to come and then those go to zero and you start seeing nitrates?

[snipesxxx]

I'm a beginner myself, but I would just throw a very small crushed up pinch of food in daily and keep a eye on ammonia. I wouldn't use the turtle poo, it might be ok but I would be worried about diseases but I am a paranoid person. Yeah your turtle might not be sick but what doesn't make him sick might make the fish sick once you put them in. Again it may be ok I am just paranoid :shappy: .

I personally would try to hunt down some pure ammonia its much easier.

[fins_n_fur]

In which country do you live? One of us might be able to point you to a good source of ammonia if you wish do to a fishless cycle. If you have some time, download the free ebook in my signature on how to do a fishless cycle. A quicker read is the sticky by Lady Hobbs in the Cycling forum.

[ReptileLuver729]

In the United States

[Northernguy]

Most hardware and grocery stores here in Canada sell it in with the laundry detergents.It must be fairly simple to get there.

[snipesxxx]

In the United States

I picked mine up at Ace Hardware. Only place in my small town that had pure ammonia.

[MrDrums]

I would start by suggesting you read the posting on cycling first. There's more to it than just adding a bunch of flakes and crud from your turtle tank. I have always cycled using fish, but there are many here who will be able to walk you through a fishless cycle. If you don't take the time to do it carefully, you're apt to lose all of your fish pretty quickly. Best of luck!