Jeffs
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi,
I have set up my biocube 3 weeks ago and because I have not done much reading, have decided to add fish only two days after setting up. My LFS gave me a bag (approx 3 cups) of "dirty water" which is basically water squeezed from a used sponge with brownish dirt and was told this would help speed up the nitrogen cycle. I have already purchased API test kits and realized that I have no major ammonia spike. I have been testing the water everyday since I'm trying to avoid fish deaths. First few weeks I'm getting ammonia of about .25-.5 and I have been doing twice weekly 50% water changes. Lately, I am getting 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and 10-20ppm nitrate. I asked my LFS and he told me its good news means that my tank is cycled.I am keeping Weitzmani tetras, scarlet badis, boraras merah, an amano and crystal reds and have lost none so far and they seem to be swimming and eating fine. But where is my ammonia? Question is, do you folks really think my tank is cycled or just waiting for future problems? I was told that the plants may have well soaked up ammonia, is that true?? Sorry for the questions newbie here.
pic of tank:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16066&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1226198336
I have set up my biocube 3 weeks ago and because I have not done much reading, have decided to add fish only two days after setting up. My LFS gave me a bag (approx 3 cups) of "dirty water" which is basically water squeezed from a used sponge with brownish dirt and was told this would help speed up the nitrogen cycle. I have already purchased API test kits and realized that I have no major ammonia spike. I have been testing the water everyday since I'm trying to avoid fish deaths. First few weeks I'm getting ammonia of about .25-.5 and I have been doing twice weekly 50% water changes. Lately, I am getting 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and 10-20ppm nitrate. I asked my LFS and he told me its good news means that my tank is cycled.I am keeping Weitzmani tetras, scarlet badis, boraras merah, an amano and crystal reds and have lost none so far and they seem to be swimming and eating fine. But where is my ammonia? Question is, do you folks really think my tank is cycled or just waiting for future problems? I was told that the plants may have well soaked up ammonia, is that true?? Sorry for the questions newbie here.
pic of tank:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16066&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1226198336