Kimlafeiet
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2012
- Messages
- 680
I have a few questions about my tank cycle. I have a new 50 gallon tank that I set up on Dec. 21st. New canister filter, mostly new decor, no live plants. My Boirb gave out last week (hence the upgrade to a 50 gallon), so I moved about 5 fake plants, and a good pile of gravel to the new tank to help seed it. I added a bottle of Tetra Safestart and the 8 guppies from my biorb on Dec 22nd. It has been 4 days now. I tested yesterday and today. Yesterday my ammonia was between 0 and .25, no nitrites. Today, my ammonia was 0, nitrite 0, and nitrates 5ppm. My PH has been steady at 7.8 (which is what my tap water reads at also).
Does it usually take this long to get any readings when cycling with fish? I have never done a cycle with fish, but I had to move the guppies so this is my first attempt at cycling with fish.
Can I add ammonia to kickstart the process a little bit or will it be overkill on the fish? I am doing my best to keep them alive through this process. They are all happy, eating well, very colorful. I have some cloudiness in the tank today, so I think I have a small bacterial bloom going, but why am I not seeing any readings? The tests are showing up like a completely cycled tank in only a few days, but even with seeding, is that possible?
Does it usually take this long to get any readings when cycling with fish? I have never done a cycle with fish, but I had to move the guppies so this is my first attempt at cycling with fish.
Can I add ammonia to kickstart the process a little bit or will it be overkill on the fish? I am doing my best to keep them alive through this process. They are all happy, eating well, very colorful. I have some cloudiness in the tank today, so I think I have a small bacterial bloom going, but why am I not seeing any readings? The tests are showing up like a completely cycled tank in only a few days, but even with seeding, is that possible?