[Steve1107]

Dear Fellow Fish Fans,

Can anyone who's been there say how long it takes, for first step of fish cycle?

Brand new 29 gal tank, external TopFin filter, ( in-tank heater for tank cycling process)

Day1: tap water + Prime
Day3: added Publix household ammonia (no additives and no phophates as far as I can tell)
to bring ammonia level to 4 ppm per test kit
Day4: added used filter cartridge from existing 2.5 gal tank into new tank's filter
Day11: Ammonia 4 ppm (still)
nitrite 0 ppm (still)
pH 7.2
temp 80 degrees F

This is discouraging! The chemistry hasn't budged over a week's time. Our frisky, friendly little Black Moor has so outgrown the 2.5 gal tank. It's getting hard to keep the tank from being overwhelmed by his goldfish chemistry...

Can't wait to move him to new home (and get him a fancy goldfish friend) so he stays happy and healthy!

Have read the terrific sticky about cycling new tanks. Is normal to take this long?

(by the way we do plan to replace the cheap LFS filter...but one thing at a time, you know?)

Thanks,
Steve
Atlanta, Georgia

 

[Steve1107]

Thank you for your replies

Yes, twice we put in old tank water from the 2.5 gal tank when doing the every-other/every-third day 25-30% water changes it's needing because of its growing Goldfish inhabitant

We also put in a (newly) used filter cartridge from the 2.5 gal tank

A minor comedown to hear cycling can take so long

Still, thanks for letting us know we're doing the right things. Sounds like the next thing to add to the new tank is patience!

Steve

 

[Steve1107]

Ammonia + nitrite + nitrate??

Thank you again everyone

@Nubstser Thanks for your concern -- agreed that would be a dreadful thing to do to a poor fish, who we have put in the situation where he's totally dependent on us for care and safety! The Black Moor is still in his long-established 2.5 gal tank

Apologies for poor wording, the filter cartridge in the established 2.5 gal tank was ready to be changed, so as soon as it was taken out -- keeping it wet -- it immediately went into the new tank, that's where "fresh" and "used" came from

As an update, today for the first time Nitrite liquid test kit says 0.5 ppm, first sign of bacteria. Yippee!! Ammonia level hasn't changed, tho, still 4 ppm. Nitrate also 0.5 ppm.

So another question, if OK with you all...isn't the Ammonia level supposed to start dropping before Nitrate appears? (Of course, bacteria don't have to follow the message boards!) Anyone know what these levels mean?

Thanks again,
Steve