Can anyone tell me what I can expect my levels to be whilst cycling a tank?

Question

I have a new tank, and I'm in the process of cycling it at the moment. I'm adding food to the tank (without fish) to help it along.

Can anyone run through what to expect? Like where the spikes should be, what should rise first, etc? I'll be testing everyday, so I just want to make sure it's all on track. At the moment, I have only two sets of test results but here they are:

Day 1 - pH 9.0, ammonia 0.0, nitrite 0.0 and nitrate 0.0
Day 3 - pH 8.5, ammonia 0.4, nitrite 0.25, and nitrate 12.5.

(Yeah I know my pH's are ridiculous, I've tested my tap water and it gives the same readings, I'm going to have it tested at my local shop to check it's not my test but I'm sorting that out :) )

As much info as possible would be great!

Hi, yep I'm using the liquid dropper tests.

In my tank it's just thoroughly rinsed gravel, a large hunk of bogwood and an ornament. I haven't used soap or anything stupid like that!

I'm not using any bacteria media like other peoples filters or anything, I'm just adding fish food to the empty tank.

I've checked the pH of my tap water, and it's the same. I'm thinking it's either a dud bottle, or as I do live in an extremely high water area it may just be unavoidable.

Answer 1

Those readings on day 3 are off...are you using the dipstick test kit? If so, I'd recommend spendig the extra money and buying the liquid dropper test kits-they're much more accurate. API makes one, tests for ph, high ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Costs 30.00, but again, it's worth it because it's more accurate. And, most pet stores are going to use the dipstick types as well.

Basically, you're ammonia will start out, then it will spike, then drop down, then at some point your nitrites will show up and spike, then drop and then you'll seeing nitrates. When the ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm, and there's nitrates present, it's cycled. Should take about 8-12 weeks total. I can't give you exact readings on what they'll spike it, it's been years since I've had to cycle a tank.

Answer 2

Was this a brand new tank? Did you use a product or someone else's gravel or filter squeezing to jumpstart your cycle? Because you're already getting nitrites and nitrates, so your cycle is actually pretty far along.

The nitrogen cycle goes like this: ammonia is produced by decaying organic matter, like fish poop and uneaten food. One type of bacteria eats the ammonia and "poops out" nitrites. Another type of bacteria eat the nitrites and "poops out" nitrates. When there's a stable colony of bacteria in your tank, you shouldn't be seeing anything on your tests but the nitrates at the end because enough bacteria will grow to consume as much ammonia as you're providing. (Make sure you're using plenty of food so you build a nice big one!) You have to do regular partial water changes to keep the nitrate levels down.

You SHOULD have seen an ammonia spike first, with nitrites slowly appearing. Then as the ammonia drops, the nitrites spike and nitrates start to appear. When your cycle is DONE, there should be 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and slowly rising nitrates. If you're adding varying amounts of food though, the levels might be unstable as the bacteria come and go according to the supply of food.

Have you tried measuring your pH straight out of the tap? Also, let some sit in a glass overnight without putting it in your tank and measure the pH then. Sometimes, the city is adding odd stuff to it. Hm, what kind of substrate do you have in the tank? Using certain kinds of sand, crushed coral, etc can affect your water chemistry. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on it through the cycle and see where it stabilizes. Don't use the chemical buffers like pH Down -- they only change it for a little while, and the resulting pH swings are really hard on your fish. Either find a more stable, permanent solution like peat moss or driftwood, or stock with fish that like high pH water.

Good luck, and thanks for doing it the right way! The fish you COULD have used to cycle the tank for you appreciate it. :)

Answer 3

Honestly, every tank will be a little different. You should get an ammonia spike near 5-10 days, then the nitrite should spike somewhere after 2 week (from the start). This link shows a chart with an "idealized" cycle: http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Just remember you can change the time needed by raising your water temperature (increases bacterial reproduction rate, so the cycling takes less time) and using some gravel or used filter media from an established tank (as long as there are no disease, algae, or snail problems) to increase the number of bacteria available for reproduction (also decreases the cycling time).

I would double check that pH. If it's actually that high, you could try using driftwood or peat moss in a mesh bag to lower it, but these may tint your water brown. You may need to resort to using a mixture of your water and reverse osmosis water (purchased, or using a home RO filter unit) to lower the minerals causing it to be so high. You'll need to experiment to find out what ratio of tap water to RO will be neede to get it down to at least 8.0. I'd start with a 50/50 mix, and see where you'll need to go from there.

Note: Is this a saltwater tank with live rock or live sand? If so, the cycling can take place much faster, because you already have bacteria present in the rock/substrate. If so, your readings (other than pH) may be fine. If freshwater, your cycle is extremely "accelerated" to already have that level of nitrate.

Answer 4

who's "he"? different fish can take care of different tiers of water parameter fluctuations. maximum folk do not positioned fish into the tank until it fairly is cycled. A cocktail shrimp is the main basic exchange for a stay fish. as quickly as you identify the parameters your fish is delicate in then you are able to decide how generally try to be changing water. Has your ammonia come down on account which you used the chemical? A 6 might justify some exceedingly aggressive water alterations. Do you have a superb fish shop on your area. in the experience that your tank is cycling complicated and you have inventory in it already it fairly is advisable to request some seeded water, substrate, clear out media...something you will get your arms on. in the event that they'll supply you something that ha a custom of micro organism in it already which will bounce initiate your tank. in truth, each and every tank with cycle otherwise, the size, interior sight water furnish and inventory are basically some issues which will effect it. you're doing precisely what you should, checking the water generally, and doing small water chnages basically whilst they are mandatory. superb of success!