cycled?

[cjrom1022]

I have a 20 gal tank that i have been letting cycle for a month. I didn't do much testing (which was a BIG mistake) but i put food in it every week and before I had 0 ammonia or Nitrites. i didnt test for nitrates (which i now also realize was a BIG mistake). I have two other fish tanks with one goldfish in them each, and i had never cycled a tank without fish in it before because i got both goldfish unplanned for. Anyways, I added 7 neon tetras to the tank. on the second day, there was .25 ammonia, and no nitrite. i did a 20% water change. Then on the third day there was .25 ammonia, and .25 nitrate. So, i did a 50% water change (i also have live plants, so i took out as much plant debris as possible). Then i put only cycled water from my other fish tank back in. Today, on day four, ammonia and nitrite is both at 0. i dont have a nitrate testing kit, which im assuming i need. But, from what i explained, does it seem like my tank is cycled? sorry if this was confusing! Thank you

 

[dalto]

I am not sure I am totally following. Are you adding fish to an established cycled tank? If so, the spike in bioload could certainly be adjusted to in a few days.

Alternatively, if this is an additional tank, then the chance of it being cycled in a few days is close to none. Moving water from a cycled tank is not going to do much for you either way.

 

[cjrom1022]

sorry for the confusion. i added fish to what i think is a cycled tank, but im not sure since i didn't do much testing during the month of cycling. but i think what you said about the levels rising because of the new bio load is right.

 

[toolman]

I don't believe your tank was ever cycled. Food once a week will not IMHO produce enough ammonia to cycle a tank. Read up on cycling with fish.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154837

 

[toolman]

How's it going?