cycling and adding fish - Aquarium Advice

scrmom · 09-10-2006, 03:06 PM

My nitrites and ammonia are zero. My nitrates are staying at 20. I know once everything is zero, I can add fish. I don't want to add fish until we get back from vacation which will be end of sept. Should I be adding something to tank now so when I add the fish there won't be another cycle?

Charlie · 09-10-2006, 07:38 PM

IMO, 3 weeks or more is a loong time to have no ammonia produced in the tank. Bacteria levels clime or decline based on the load. Your load may be near zero.

I'd guess that you will have to cycle again unless you have a constent ammonia source while you're away.

mar_att1 · 09-10-2006, 07:45 PM

i have the same problem...

i just got ready cycling my tank, however i dont have enough money to buy the lighting for the tank. So i decided to leave the fish for my next pay, which is approximately in 3 and a half weeks.

do you think the fish fill survive without a light source except indirect sunlight?

if not, then i'll just have to cycle again....

**melosu58** · 09-10-2006, 07:55 PM

You wont have to cycle again just add a few flakes to your water and they will produce enough ammonia to keep your cycle going. IME I did this when I first started nine years ago and I did not add fish for the first 3 months.

09-10-2006, 03:06 PM	#1
scrmom Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fredericksburg Virginia Posts: 111	cycling and adding fish My nitrites and ammonia are zero. My nitrates are staying at 20. I know once everything is zero, I can add fish. I don't want to add fish until we get back from vacation which will be end of sept. Should I be adding something to tank now so when I add the fish there won't be another cycle?

09-10-2006, 07:38 PM	#2
Charlie Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 294	IMO, 3 weeks or more is a loong time to have no ammonia produced in the tank. Bacteria levels clime or decline based on the load. Your load may be near zero. I'd guess that you will have to cycle again unless you have a constent ammonia source while you're away. __________________ 46 gal FOWLR 11lb Live Rock - 40lb Live Sand ProClear Pro 75 - LR rubble & skimmer in sump AC 300 HOB AC 402 Powerhead - AC 301 Powerhead

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
adding fish to the cycling tank?	kaz	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	11	06-18-2006 09:10 PM
adding liverock after cycling	hackteck	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	15	02-07-2006 06:40 PM
Adding Snails during Cycling	fishrfreinds	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	3	12-29-2005 05:30 PM
Not Cycling Before Adding Fish	GouramiFanatic	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	35	04-05-2005 12:20 AM
Cycling Before Adding Live Rock..Any Advantage?	WhiteCloud	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	6	11-10-2004 05:48 PM

09-10-2006, 07:45 PM	#3
mar_att1 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 34	i have the same problem... i just got ready cycling my tank, however i dont have enough money to buy the lighting for the tank. So i decided to leave the fish for my next pay, which is approximately in 3 and a half weeks. do you think the fish fill survive without a light source except indirect sunlight? if not, then i'll just have to cycle again....