How long does it take to cycle a 135 gal turtle community Tank?

[Jdbann82]

I've been going at it for 2 months. Not sure if it's already cycled or not. I have 1 red eared slider (female 7"), 1 Mississippi Map (male 4"), 1 Diamond Back (unknown sex 4"), 1 Western Painted (unknown sex 2"), 4 african cichlids(1"-3"), 1 jack dempsey(2"), 2 bala sharks(1"), and a couple water plants. I've had the aquarium for a few years but just recently learned about cycling a tank. I use the api test kit - Ph is 6.6, Amonia is 0, Nitrite around .15ppm (a little lighter than the .25 on the card), and Nitrate usually stays around .40 ppm. I currently have a Fluval 406 and 404 as filtration. I have a fx5 just need to build a new cabinet for it to fit in. Also I have the water level all the way up because I built a above tank topper. I'm curious why my nitrites are still not at 0 and my nitrates never seem to go down even when I do water changes which I do once a week (30%). Also ph seems low (6.6)but I did remove the drift wood that I had in there it was reptile driftwood not aquarium driftwood I believe it was grape wood. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Jdbann82]

Here's a pic of aquarium

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Laeris]

What's the date on your nitrite check bottle?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Jdbann82]

Nitrite bottle is 05/2020, the others are all in 2020 as well

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Laeris]

It may be that turtles are so disgusting (they are!! Kept red eared four years from quarter sized to salad plate) your current bb are struggling to keep up entirely. I think it's admirable they're keeping 0 ammonia and low nitrites. Give it another month and if it still doesn't catch up, consider boosting filtration. :|


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Jdbann82]

Ya I'm almost wondering if this is good as it gets with them. I've read of people having there turtle tanks cycle but I'm having a hell of a time doing it. Maybe once I get my fluval fx5 going loaded with bio max.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Laeris]

The fact that'll be coming online soon is why I suggested waiting until it establishes XD I think you're doing fantastic, I had given up on having anything in with my turtle. He now lives in an indoor pond with koi and is nearly large enough to cover a dinner plate.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice