Cycling Question

[*Sarah*]

My 10gal is fishless cycling, has been for oh, about 2 weeks or so. Today got a reading of 0 Ammonia, but Nitrites are through the roof. Is this a sign that cycling is near completion?

[Chrona]

Unfortunately no, lol. The nitrite spike is only the second phase. Now you need to wait for the nitrite -> nitrate bacteria population to build up, which is generally the slowest part, since they reproduce relatively slowly. 2 weeks is an awful long time just to get to a nitrite spike, and may be due to the plants in the tank absorbing the ammonia like I mentioned earlier. What temp is your water?

[*Sarah*]

The temp is about 78. I'm not in a hurry or anything, so it's ok that it's taking a while. I guess now we know that plants definitely do affect the cycling process.

[KneeKickLou]

Im not sure how it will affect the plants but if you raise the water temp it will help the bacteria grow faster. I'm cycling my 75 gallon right now (0 ammonia and .5 nitrites come on baby) and my temp is at about 84.

[Rue]

That's interesting...I'm taking notes...

...I was planning on taking my time and dumping my old water into the new tank too...hopefully that helps speed things up too...

[Chrona]

That's interesting...I'm taking notes...

...I was planning on taking my time and dumping my old water into the new tank too...hopefully that helps speed things up too...

Bacteria doesn't really live in the water column. The vast majority lives in the filter/substrate, so save those from an old tank.

[Rue]

Yes! I was going to add the old sponge to the new filter...

...but I assumed some of the bacteria in the water would settle in the new gravel...no?

[Chrona]

Yes! I was going to add the old sponge to the new filter...

...but I assumed some of the bacteria in the water would settle in the new gravel...no?

Well, I guess if, in the old tank, you stirred up the gravel alot, then transfered the dirty water over, that would indeed work, but I still think it's alot easier hanging a pantyhose filled with old gravel over the side of your tank, along with a dirty filter cartridge

[Rue]

...well now! Gravel in pantihose! That's a neat trick! I never would have thought to do that!!! Thanks...

[cocoa_pleco]

...well now! Gravel in pantihose! That's a really neat trick! I never would have thought to do that!!! Thanks...

I do that with the carbon in my canister filter

[Lauren B.]

...well now! Gravel in pantihose! That's a neat trick! I never would have thought to do that!!! Thanks...

Really? I put gravel in my pantyhose all the time....while I'm wearing them! I like the crunchy feel it gives me around my ankles. :hmm3grin2orange:

[Chrona]

Really? I put gravel in my pantyhose all the time....while I'm wearing them! I like the crunchy feel it gives me around my ankles. :hmm3grin2orange:

So what % deep sea freak fish did you register on that fish test?



;)

[sergo]

your nitrites will fall off in the next day or so. it will surprise you when it does. it seems to just stay there for a bit and then one time you check it'll be way down and the next gone. it's really cool how the whole thing works.

[xoolooxunny]

I like to speed things up by rinsing off a filter sponge from an old filter into the new tank water, then i put a couple flakes of food in there to give the bacteria something to munch on and grow faster.