Almost done...maybe?

[Drumachine09]

Well, against everyones advice, i decided to give fishy cycling a shot. Im using one goldie in the ten gallon (hes not to big) and when were done, he will go back across the street with his other 3 buddies in my neigbors 55. I think i am just about done. I am using him along with seeded gravel/decor.

For the past couple days i have been monitoring ammonia only, and today i tested nitrate/ites and such.

Ammonia=.25ppm
Nitrates=20
Nitrites=0


Am i done?

[cocoa_pleco]

nitrates should get higher i think. My 33g i got sunday was the first tank besides the salt one i ever did fishless cycling on. My ammonia cranked up, and peaked on wednesday, then it went down thursday morning, and the nitrates cranked up, then i did a few water changes, left it, and now everything is at a constant 0 so i added the green severum.

I think you have approximately 2-3 days for cycling left. wait for chrona.

[Drumachine09]

nitrates should get higher i think. My 33g i got sunday was the first tank besides the salt one i ever did fishless cycling on. My ammonia cranked up, and peaked on wednesday, then it went down thursday morning, and the nitrates cranked up, then i did a few water changes, left it, and now everything is at a constant 0 so i added the green severum.



I think you have approximately 2-3 days for cycling left. wait for chrona.


I know it should be nitrITES that spike. I figured i missed the spike because ammonia is going down already. Hmmmmmm

[cocoa_pleco]

I always mix up the 2, they need to switch the nit parts on the two

Maybe you got lucky and had a quick retarded cycle or something, or its a magic wizard goldfish genie in the tank:hmm3grin2orange:

[Drumachine09]

I always mix up the 2, they need to switch the nit parts on the two

Maybe you got lucky and had a quick retarded cycle or something, or its a magic wizard goldfish genie in the tank:hmm3grin2orange:


I am using seeded gravel & decor, so anything is possible..... except the magic goldfish scenario.

[Chrona]

So ammonia is consisitently going down? Test to make sure nitrate is going up before doing anything else.

[kimmers318]

Using seeded gravel helps to speed things up quite a bit, although it is strange that you haven't gotten any nitrites, just nitrates.
Keep us posted how it goes.

[gm72]

I'm thinking you must have missed your nitrITe spike. That happened with my fishless cycle on my daughter's 5.5 gallon. I agree with everyone else that you should probably let the nitrATes rise a bit more before you do anything. Just be sure it doesn't get too high lest your goldie kick the bucket. Get that ammonia down to zero, too.

[Drumachine09]

I'm thinking you must have missed your nitrITe spike. That happened with my fishless cycle on my daughter's 5.5 gallon. I agree with everyone else that you should probably let the nitrATes rise a bit more before you do anything. Just be sure it doesn't get too high lest your goldie kick the bucket. Get that ammonia down to zero, too.



Alright, cool. Thats what i thought. How high should i let the nitrates get?

[cocoa_pleco]

ive skipped nitrates too. I used a seeded filter and voila, fast cycling

[gm72]

I wouldn't let it go much beyond 30 or so, but some people would tell you to let them go higher. With a heavily seeded tank you'll see, as I have learned and continue to experience, a relatively fast cycle and short-lived nitrITe spike.

[Chrona]

Goldfish do fine in slightly higher nitrates. So let it get to 40 or so before doing a water change. And if nitrates don't rise, then you know something is up.

[Drumachine09]

Goldfish do fine in slightly higher nitrates. So let it get to 40 or so before doing a water change. And if nitrates don't rise, then you know something is up.


Alright, i tested it again this morning and the nitrates might be a little higher.

[Drumachine09]

Ok, tested AGAIN, and:

Ammonia=0
Nitrates=30
Nitrites=0



Done?

[gm72]

I think so. Do a large water change (like at least 75%) and call it done. Be sure not to disturb the gravel bed too much as this is at least in part where your biofilter lives.

[Drumachine09]

I think so. Do a large water change (like at least 75%) and call it done. Be sure not to disturb the gravel bed too much as this is at least in part where your biofilter lives.


Cool, ill wait just a bit to see if anyone else has any input. Thanks!

[Chrona]

Yep done. If you really wanted to be cautious, wait another day and see if nitrates keep rising.

[Drumachine09]

Yep done. If you really wanted to be cautious, wait another day and see if nitrates keep rising.

I think i will. Monday or tuesday, i have to mow again, so ill make another 20 bones, so then i can get my betta, 3 corys, and X amount of X dither fish.

[cocoa_pleco]

my bettas having a stroke with the new corys, or pretty much any other new fish i add. Today, i got 3 albinos for the planted 20g, and the bettas chased them. The betta seems to do this for about 30 hours as like its some sort of initiation to the tank, then backs off