Cycling taking forever?

[Porcelina]

I'm now three weeks and a few days into cycling my 29g and no signs of nitrite yet...ammonia has been at .50ppm for a good while, it spiked up to 1ppm about a week ago. I've been doing water changes, 20% once or twice a week. I've done a couple larger water changes when the fish were looking stressed.

Right now I have 3 guppies and 3 zebra danios in there. The temp has been maintaining at 77-78 now that I have the new heater. I've been feeding one-two large flakes a day. I did use some bio-zyme stuff but other than conditioner that's the only additive I've used. I did just add the gravel in 3 days ago, previously the bottom of the tank was bare except for some rocks. So perhaps it's taking longer because there was no substrate? I'm just getting really nervous that I'm going to have to wait months and months for this thing to be cycled. Am I still waiting for a bigger ammonia spike?? Is this normal or am I just super impatient? The fish look happy at least.

[kel]

3 weeks into a fish in cycle is nothing. Mine has been going for 3 months and just today I finally developed some nitrites. So you have a long way to go yet.

Just keep up with the daily wc and before this is done you will be an expert water changer lol.. trust me I'm in the same boat :hmm3grin2orange:

[Northernguy]

lol Calm down.
Its been ten days since you joined here now.:14: Time flies when your having fun!
Cycling with fish does take longer but at least you get too see fish. hehe If you are getting ammonia readings in that tank and you have fish in it then do a water change.That wee bit of ammonia can really harm your fish.It does damage to their gills and shortens their lifespan.
Once those levels do start to rise they can be difficult to get lower so stay on top of it.Water changes are the best way.

[Porcelina]

lol, that's what I thought. Patience is not my strong suit. Is it too late for me to add filter media? My friend has a 10g running for a long time with just a few guppies (he's getting the guppies and danios when this is all over). I'm not sure if he has an undergravel filter or a hang on one though. I'll have to see if it's possible for me to take some material from his tank.

And yeah, I've been doing water changes and the ammonia has been in range of .25-.50 for a decent while now. I just did a 50% change the other day when I added the gravel in. The fish definitely seem happier than they did the first week or two. I've just been trying to keep them as comfortable as possible but I can't wait til this is cycled and established so I don't have to do it again! Especially not with fish, it's making me feel bad!

[Northernguy]

Its never too late.If you can get some good dirty media for your filter then go for it.You will be reading nitrates in no time.thumbs2:
Thats the best way to cycle a tank.The fastest too!lol

[Lady Hobbs]

Cycling with fish takes just about forever, it seems, and especially if you stock slowly the way you should. But those little guppies and danio's don't have a big bioload, either. You did a good thing adding the cycling booster and it will help your little guys to better cope.

I agree with Northernguy to nab some used filter media if you know of anyone who has a fish tank. If not, just remain going as you are and don't stock too quickly.

[Brhino]

my tank took about two months to cycle with fish, and my cycling crew were 2-3 danios and 2 goldfish. In the future, whenever I buy a new tank, I'm going to buy the filter a month earlier and run it in an existing tank.

[Porcelina]

Thanks guys, I will see what I can do about nabbing some filter media in the next few days. One more question before I head out to work. If I can get some media, should I transport it in tank water or will it be OK in just a ziplock bag?

[Northernguy]

In the future, whenever I buy a new tank, I'm going to buy the filter a month earlier and run it in an existing tank.
By far the best way to cycle a filter.

[Porcelina]

my tank took about two months to cycle with fish, and my cycling crew were 2-3 danios and 2 goldfish. In the future, whenever I buy a new tank, I'm going to buy the filter a month earlier and run it in an existing tank.


Great idea, I'm going to do that in the future too. After this thing is cycled I want to set up a 10g planted with a betta, then I'm going to cut myself off from fish tanks til we move into a house!

[kel]

Thanks guys, I will see what I can do about nabbing some filter media in the next few days. One more question before I head out to work. If I can get some media, should I transport it in tank water or will it be OK in just a ziplock bag?

From what I understand it HAS to remain moist or else it dies pretty fast so I'd take some tupperware with some tank water in it with you to collect it. Then head immediately home with it and add it to your tank.

[Northernguy]

You must keep it wet.Add water to it in the zip lock bag.It should be fine that way.Just do not wait too long to add it to your filter.
Also make sure that the tank the media is coming from is healthy.