Instant cycle - didn't work?

[Aquarium Girl]

I had an empty 55 gal tank so decided to use it to quarantine 5 new peacock cichlids.

I cleaned the canister filter in tank water from my display tank (it had been running on the empty tank for about 4 weeks since I re-homed my daughter's goldfish). I filled the tank and added a sponge filter that has been running on my display tank for well over six months thinking this would be enough to produce an instant cycle. The display tank has 18 x 3-4 inch cichlids so I assumed there would be enough bacteria in the sponge filter to cope with 5 new 1-2 inch cichlids.

24 hours after introducing them I have: PH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0.25.

Any thoughts on the cycle and how I should proceed from here? All of the new fish are eating well and active. Any advice would be appreciated!


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[Aquarium Girl]

And nitrates 0 - whoops, thought I'd missed something


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[Fresh2o]

I would say that it didn't work. More like partially working based on the ammonia reading (zero and trace of nitrites). Just keep monitoring and do water changes regularly.


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[Aquarium Girl]

Thanks for the response. So no need to panic? I'm thinking 25% water change every other day until there is no nitrite reading. What do you think?


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[Aquarium Girl]

Just to follow up, I did another test last night before a water change and nitrites were 0. So looks like the instant cycle did work, just needed a couple of days to establish. I did a 25% water change anyway. All of my new additions are showing great colour, very active and eating well ?


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[Fresh2o]

Well, that's certainly good to hear!


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