Ok, here is my cycling drama....

[SouthernGal0682]

This has got me a little baffled...

3/13 - set up tank and filled with water. Used AquaSafe to dechlorinate and a product called Stability which is supposed to help with new tank syndrome (just tried it for sh--- and giggles)
3/15 - added a large bunch of cabomba and 2 reineckii plants
3/20 - added 8 lemon tetras and 6 serpae tetras (I added fish because the cycle in a planted aquarium is not as toxic as a non-planted aquarium and I had no source of ammonia).
3/22 - lemon tetras laid eggs. Tested NO2 = 2.0. (Used a API NO2 test kit)
3/26 - Fish are still happy. NO2 has stayed between 2.0 and 5.0. Could smell the tank when I walked in the house so I did a small water change (I know it slows down the cycle).
3/27 - added small Amazon Sword.
3/29 - NO2 still at 2.0. PH 6.6. NH3 0. Temp 80.

Edit: Forgot to mention my plants are growing like crazy and I am having a pretty impressive algae bloom. My plants are loving all the NO2 in there.

I have Live PH and Live NH3 monitors hanging in side my tank. PH stays at 6.6 but I have NEVER had any ammonia readings on my NH3 monitor. How is it possible that I have NO2, but no NH3? I know the plants consume alot of the ammonia, but I didn't think I would see my NO2 up this soon since I have plants. And, I have been getting NO2 readings between 2.0 and 5.0 for a week.

I'm thinking I need to go buy a different ammonia test kit and go ahead and get a nitrate test kit (didn't buy it yet).

Any insight?

[Lady Hobbs]

Sounds like nearly a perfect cycle to me. When I cycled my 55 gallon with fish and no plants, I never had an ammonia reading of over .25. I don't know why because I had several fish in the tank, too.

You also have softer water which is less toxic for fish and can produce a faster cycle. I think you hit it on the head that the plants are getting rid of the ammonia.

[sergo]

depending on the amount of plants in the tank you won't see much ammonia but there will still be some in there since you put a big number of fish in it right away and you're only a week into it. i would suggest getting the test kits and physically test for cycling byproducts.
you say you could smell the tank, what did it smell like? ammonia maybe?
since you are cycling with fish it will take a while to do a complete cycle.
i will also say that you may have too much light for your tank and you may end up with some algae problems due to that.
just be patient, keep an eye on the fishies and do daily water tests to see how the cycle is coming along. also write the numbers down as it will be a visual of what's going on inside of the tank.

[minabird]

This has got me a little baffled...

3/22 - lemon tetras laid eggs. Tested NO2 = 2.0. (Used a API NO2 test kit)
3/26 - Fish are still happy. NO2 has stayed between 2.0 and 5.0. Could smell the tank when I walked in the house so I did a small water change (I know it slows down the cycle).
3/27 - added small Amazon Sword.
3/29 - NO2 still at 2.0. PH 6.6. NH3 0. Temp 80.

Edit: Forgot to mention my plants are growing like crazy and I am having a pretty impressive algae bloom. My plants are loving all the NO2 in there.

I have Live PH and Live NH3 monitors hanging in side my tank. PH stays at 6.6 but I have NEVER had any ammonia readings on my NH3 monitor. How is it possible that I have NO2, but no NH3? I know the plants consume alot of the ammonia, but I didn't think I would see my NO2 up this soon since I have plants. And, I have been getting NO2 readings between 2.0 and 5.0 for a week.

I'm thinking I need to go buy a different ammonia test kit and go ahead and get a nitrate test kit (didn't buy it yet).

Any insight?

You need to do a massive water change, 50%, immediately. A nitrite reading above 1.0 ppm is lethal for fish. Here's a chart that I like to use to track my nitrite readings when cycling a tank. http://freshaquarium.about.com/libra...tritechart.htm
Here's the instructions for using About.com's chart:

Test for nitrites: Begin testing one week after adding the fish. Continue testing every second or third day, until it reaches zero. Using the chart provided, plot the nitrite levels and take steps as shown on the chart if nitrite reaches the danger zone. If at any time fish show signs of distress, such as rapid breathing or hanging near the surface seemingly gasping for air, test for nitrite. If levels are elevated perform an immediate 25-50% water change and test daily until levels drop.

Your tank will be cycled once your both your ammonia and nitrite readings are 0.

As you figured out, your plants are using up all/most of the ammonia and the bacteria are converting the rest to nitrites. You don't have enough of the bacteria that converts the nitrites to nitrates yet and that's why you have such high nitrite readings. It takes alot longer for that type of bacteria to grow.

Good luck with your cycling! You're off to a good start. Just keep an eye on those nitrite readings. Also, get an ammonia test kit, instead of relying on the ammonia monitor, when you get the nitrate test kit.

With all of those plants, your tank should cycle relatively quickly.

[SouthernGal0682]

Sounds like nearly a perfect cycle to me. When I cycled my 55 gallon with fish and no plants, I never had an ammonia reading of over .25. I don't know why because I had several fish in the tank, too.

You also have softer water which is less toxic for fish and can produce a faster cycle. I think you hit it on the head that the plants are getting rid of the ammonia.

Wow, that makes me feel a lot better! I have just been stumped by the ammonia thing since, like you said, I have more than a couple fish in the tank.

[SouthernGal0682]

depending on the amount of plants in the tank you won't see much ammonia but there will still be some in there since you put a big number of fish in it right away and you're only a week into it. i would suggest getting the test kits and physically test for cycling byproducts.
you say you could smell the tank, what did it smell like? ammonia maybe?
since you are cycling with fish it will take a while to do a complete cycle.
i will also say that you may have too much light for your tank and you may end up with some algae problems due to that.
just be patient, keep an eye on the fishies and do daily water tests to see how the cycle is coming along. also write the numbers down as it will be a visual of what's going on inside of the tank.

Tank has been running for 2 1/2 weeks, not one.

Smelled like algae, not ammonia (ammonia readings of 0)

I have 2.23 watts/gal. which is medium-high lighting for 38 gallons. I want to grow more challenging plants and some with color after I have finished cycling so that is why I have high wattage. I can always change a bulb in the long run if it stays a problem.

[sergo]

Tank has been running for 2 1/2 weeks, not one.

Smelled like algae, not ammonia (ammonia readings of 0)

I have 2.23 watts/gal. which is medium-high lighting for 38 gallons. I want to grow more challenging plants and some with color after I have finished cycling so that is why I have high wattage. I can always change a bulb in the long run if it stays a problem.

well hell. punch me in the face and tell me to shut up. i'll leave now...




good luck you're almost there.

[SouthernGal0682]

well hell. punch me in the face and tell me to shut up. i'll leave now...




good luck you're almost there.

LOL ...Not an attack, just wanted to make sure ya'll understand my tank so I can be sure of whats going on in it

(love the quote in your signature BTW)

[SouthernGal0682]

You need to do a massive water change, 50%, immediately. A nitrite reading above 1.0 ppm is lethal for fish. Here's a chart that I like to use to track my nitrite readings when cycling a tank. http://freshaquarium.about.com/libra...tritechart.htm
Here's the instructions for using About.com's chart:

[

Thanks for the link. I have been keeping track on my calendar. I think I will go buy an actual ammonia test kit and not just rely on the monitor. I need a nitrate test kit too so after I get all that I will test again and consider the water change.

[sergo]

no offense taken, just a brilliant showing of ignorance ;)-