I am excited!

[Swayde]

I just tested my water today and the results were looking real good! I use the API Master Test Kit

Temp = 79F
PH = 7.8
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5.0

It's the 8th day with the plants and fishies in it. For the past 3 days it had been Ammonia 0-0.25 (was such a light green, even lighter than 0.25) and Nitrite 0.25-0.50 and Nitrate 0-5.0. I have done PWC every day except for yesterday since it appeared the ammonia was at or close to 0 and the Nitrites were barely registering 0.25.

My readings have been fairly steady 78-80F over the past 8 days. PH has been 7.8 for a few days, began at 8.0 and for 2 days was very hard to distinguish so I think it was 7.9. Ammonia did hit a 0.50 reading once and I immediately did a water change, it never went back up that high again. The Nitrites also remained very steady except for 1 day it hit 1.0 at which time I immediately did a water change and the next day it was at 0.50 and I did another pwc and then it was at 0.25 for 2 days and now 0. The Nitrates have been reading 5.0 for 3 days now.

Is it possible that it's done cycling so soon? I figure I will keep checking every day and if the Ammonia and Nitrites are still reading 0 then I am going to bring in some water to my LFS and have them double check, if it's okay...more fishies here I come!

[kimmers318]

Did you use anything to help speed up the cycle?
With a small amount of fish it is probably possible to experience low levels like you did, just remember, cycling with fish will only give you enough bacteria to sustain the current bioload, add new fish slowly and give the bacteria time to reproduce and catch up to the new bio load in between.

[Chrona]

It's the 8th day with the plants and fishies in it. For the past 3 days it had been Ammonia 0-0.25 (was such a light green, even lighter than 0.25) and Nitrite 0.25-0.50 and Nitrate 0-5.0. I have done PWC every day except for yesterday since it appeared the ammonia was at or close to 0 and the Nitrites were barely registering 0.25.

Is it possible that it's done cycling so soon? I figure I will keep checking every day and if the Ammonia and Nitrites are still reading 0 then I am going to bring in some water to my LFS and have them double check, if it's okay...more fishies here I come!

I don't think you are cycled, unless you heavily seeded the tank with a old tank's bacteria. Live plants make the cycling process longer, since they absorb the ammonia needed for the bacteria. Furthermore, by doing daily partial water changes you remove even more ammonia. My guess is that the plants are starting to take off a bit and ate up whatever ammonia was left after your last water change.

I would also work on that pH unless you are planning on getting livebearers. I know I usually say that most fish can adapt to most pH's, but 8.0 is really pushing it for community fish.

[Drumachine09]

Also, water changes during a cycle remove amonia, making your bacteria even weaker.

[gm72]

Just another "ditto" type reply here. Your constant water changes are probably fooling you into thinking that you are cycled. 8 days--not likely. I think stop doing your water changes and see what you get. You are however, doing the right thing by constantly monitoring your water conditions. Good work on your testing!

[Swayde]

I did get some gravel from my LFS and I used Stress-Zyme as well. I haven't done a water change in 3 days and it's still at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5.0 nitrates. I am using the liquid test kits from API Freshwater Master kit.

I don't plan on adding any more fish in yet. I want to see it stick with the readings for about a week or so before I think of any more fish and then I will add 1-2 at a time until I get all the fish I want minus 3 Oto's, which will come in last if I ever end up with any algae for them.

Btw, will Otos eat the hair like algae? That seems to be the only type I can see growing in my tank and it's on the plants mostly.

[Swayde]

Day 14...readings are all very consistant. I added 3 more fish, platies. So far so good. I have had no Ammonia or Nitrite in the past 6 days since my last post. I even had the LFS double check =) :19: