Coldwater tank cycled???

[Rue]

You know...I just realized I can't tell if my 55g has cycled or not...

It's been 3 weeks...

I have 2 Emperor 280s...so they have the biowheels...

I added 2 packages of the AquaClear 110 bio-media...

I added Cycle...whether it helps or not...

I added some food...

I added a bucket of very dirty tank water 2 weeks ago...

I added the old sponge from my 25g tank last week when I cleaned it out...so the 55g is well seeded...

...but with the water in the tank being 64 F...I'm not sure what's happening...

I just tested the water...

Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrites - 0-.5 ppm (couldn't quite make out the colour)
Nitrates - 0 ppm

[gm72]

It sounds like you have seeded well. Don't add food--this is a poor way to introduce ammonia but a rather good way to introduce junk.

With the temperature so low your bacteria is going to grow VERY slowly. If this is for a fishless cycle, push the heat up to 80-85 degrees and really boost the colony. Then slowly back down the temps before you add your (presumably) cold water fish.

If you haven't done any water changes, you are not cycled at all. A cycled tank will accumulate nitrATes. If you are reading zero, you still have some work to do.

[Rue]

...yeah...that's what I was thinking...*blech*

What I hoping was that I was wrong...lol...

Thanks for confirming!

Back to waiting...unless I can find another heater to borrow...don't want to buy one big enough for the 55g if I won't be using it...they're a tad expensive...

[gm72]

I don't know what your definition of expensive is, and I mean no negativity in saying that, but here is a great heater for what I would consider a good price:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Rue]

Those prices are very reasonable...

...but here the best I can do for a heater big enough is around $45...

[gm72]

Ah, sorry, I didn't notice you were in Canada. Too bad your prices are so high! I wonder if there are any retailers online that would ship to Canada? Or, have you checked eBay? I sell often there and ship internationally (I don't sell aquarium equipment, but I know of many that do).