Linwood
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Short version: Can a 45g tank cycle in 8 days with a peak of no more than 0.5 Ammonia?
Longer version:
45 gal lightly planted freshwater tank, started 6/17 with new filters, no prior media, but "Smartstart Complete" added. Three fish (Raphael Catfish and 2 x Serpae Tetra) added 6/19 with a few shrimp.
Water is high ph (peaked to 8.6, found out tap water is very high ph here, didn't check before filling tank). Brought it slowly down to 8 so that during cycle it is not quite so bad.
By day 6 started seeing 0.25 Ammonia; added 3 more tetra on day 8 (still 0.25).
By day 11 Ammonia went to 0.50, and first time nitrites appeared at 0.25, then Ammonia went down to 0.25 the next day, and vanished the 3rd (today) which is day 14 overall.
But Nitrites also vanished today, and so far no detectable Nitrates. So basically this morning I had all zero's, but if what I think the conversion ratio is (about 4:1), it could be the nitrates are just below the accuracy of the test (API Master Freshwater Test kit).
But... from trace to gone, never getting above 0.5 in 8 days?
Is that reasonable? Did that "Smartstart complete" work that well?
Or is something else going on?
More fish? I wanted a minimal number so it was a slow, low-peak cycle; time to add more and see if Ammonia stays low/zero?
Other details: Hardness 3 (per LFS, not sure what test), 78 degrees, Fluval 306 filter with default media, no water changes about 4 gallons added to top off, about 6 small plants, substrate is grave + 1 bag of Eco-Complete.
Longer version:
45 gal lightly planted freshwater tank, started 6/17 with new filters, no prior media, but "Smartstart Complete" added. Three fish (Raphael Catfish and 2 x Serpae Tetra) added 6/19 with a few shrimp.
Water is high ph (peaked to 8.6, found out tap water is very high ph here, didn't check before filling tank). Brought it slowly down to 8 so that during cycle it is not quite so bad.
By day 6 started seeing 0.25 Ammonia; added 3 more tetra on day 8 (still 0.25).
By day 11 Ammonia went to 0.50, and first time nitrites appeared at 0.25, then Ammonia went down to 0.25 the next day, and vanished the 3rd (today) which is day 14 overall.
But Nitrites also vanished today, and so far no detectable Nitrates. So basically this morning I had all zero's, but if what I think the conversion ratio is (about 4:1), it could be the nitrates are just below the accuracy of the test (API Master Freshwater Test kit).
But... from trace to gone, never getting above 0.5 in 8 days?
Is that reasonable? Did that "Smartstart complete" work that well?
Or is something else going on?
More fish? I wanted a minimal number so it was a slow, low-peak cycle; time to add more and see if Ammonia stays low/zero?
Other details: Hardness 3 (per LFS, not sure what test), 78 degrees, Fluval 306 filter with default media, no water changes about 4 gallons added to top off, about 6 small plants, substrate is grave + 1 bag of Eco-Complete.