Is this a cycled tank?

[lettuceman44]

Hey guys, just want to double check to see that my tank is indeed cycled.

So yesterday my parameters were
Ammonia 0
Nitrites .25
Nitrates somewhere between 0 and 5, closer to 5.

today my parameters are
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates somewhere between 0 and 5


I dosed some ammonia for up to 1 ppm again today to check, and about 2 hours later I took a test and the ammonia is at 0.

The only thing that is making me hesitant is that my nitrates are low, but I also have a bunch of plants, so I figure they might be sucking some of the nitrates.

[fishmommie]

Hi
How long have you been cycling the tank?

If you've been at this three or more weeks and you had your nitrate spike and watched your ammonia steadily drop, I'd say you're good to go. But if this has just been a few days, then no. I'd ride it out a bit longer.

[lettuceman44]

Hi
How long have you been cycling the tank?

If you've been at this three or more weeks and you had your nitrate spike and watched your ammonia steadily drop, I'd say you're good to go. But if this has just been a few days, then no. I'd ride it out a bit longer.

Hahaha this is day 20. Days 14-17 my nitrites were off the chart. Nitrates started appearing on day 12, and had a spike on day 17.

Data
Date | Day| Ammonia | Nitrite| Nitrate
1/19/2013 1 3 - -
1/20/2013 2 3 - -
1/22/2013 4 2 0 0
1/24/2013 6 2 0 0
1/25/2013 7 2 0 -
1/26/2013 8 2 0 -
1/27/2013 9 1 0 -
1/30/2013 12 0 1 5
1/31/2013 13 0 5 5
2/1/2013 14 0 >5 10
2/4/2013 17 0 >5 >10<20
2/6/2013 19 0 0.25 5
2/7/2013 20 0 0 5

[fishmommie]

I'd say check it again in the morning and if you're readings are the same, your'e good to go. Good job. Go get fish or keep feeding ammonia until you can get to the shop.