Hey everyone!
I set up a new 65g fifty-three days ago now. I have been doing a cycle WITH fish for 50 days now. From about day two thru today, my ammonia has held steady at .25ppm.
I have yet to see the presence of nitrites. None, zip, zero! So I just did a nitrate test for kicks and what would you know? I have nitrates well over .40ppm! So to recap, here's todays test results -
Ammonia - .25ppm
Nitrite - ZERO
Nitrate - a tad over .40ppm
I tested my tap water as well and nitrates directly from the tap were trace at best.
This is the most unconventional cycle I have ever seen! Anyone ever had a cycle go like this?
The fish being used are 4 Columbian Tetras and 2 Tin Foil Barbs (don't how I ended up with this combo)
For filtration I am running an Aqua Clear 110 and undergravel with two 170gph PowerHeads. The Aqua Clear is using the sponge block, carbon bag and ceramics bag.
I guess my question(s) here is, A) am I out of practice and freaking out about nothing? B) is this cycle taking unusually long? C) Should I look at slightly increasing the bio-load by adding something else nice and hardy?
This tank will likely be a community tank with an emphasis on angels.
Thanks for reading!!!
Matt
I set up a new 65g fifty-three days ago now. I have been doing a cycle WITH fish for 50 days now. From about day two thru today, my ammonia has held steady at .25ppm.
I have yet to see the presence of nitrites. None, zip, zero! So I just did a nitrate test for kicks and what would you know? I have nitrates well over .40ppm! So to recap, here's todays test results -
Ammonia - .25ppm
Nitrite - ZERO
Nitrate - a tad over .40ppm
I tested my tap water as well and nitrates directly from the tap were trace at best.
This is the most unconventional cycle I have ever seen! Anyone ever had a cycle go like this?
The fish being used are 4 Columbian Tetras and 2 Tin Foil Barbs (don't how I ended up with this combo)
For filtration I am running an Aqua Clear 110 and undergravel with two 170gph PowerHeads. The Aqua Clear is using the sponge block, carbon bag and ceramics bag.
I guess my question(s) here is, A) am I out of practice and freaking out about nothing? B) is this cycle taking unusually long? C) Should I look at slightly increasing the bio-load by adding something else nice and hardy?
This tank will likely be a community tank with an emphasis on angels.
Thanks for reading!!!
Matt