Tropical Fish Forums

[Aqua Barker]

Did a new ammonia test because I was curious (only been like 3 days but like I said I got curious. But it has some interesting results. My amonia has gone from .25ppm to 0 and my nitries are still at 0 but I ran a nitrates test just to see what I got....it came back at 40ppm. Not .40 but a full fledged 40.

[ZacAdam]

That'd imply a full cycle, somehow. Do a 25% water change and let the system "cook" until tomorrow. If you still have 0/0/Something, I'd call that cycled.
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[Aqua Barker]

How in the world would it cycle in like 4-5 days?

[diademhill]

Bump the ammoini up to 4ppm and if that clears in 24 hours with a rise in nitrates the tank is cycled.

As it is it is probably showing tapwater readings. You can get 40ppm nitrates in some tapwater.

[Aqua Barker]

I'm using well water not tap water. And how do I get my ammonia up to 4ppm at will? When adding a little fish food everyday I had it at point two five ppm and with this last test it is at 0, doesn't that sound like it just went down instead of a cycle?

[CSnyder00]

No. Different bacteria are forming currently in your tank to do different jobs. Keep applying food to allow the process to continue. Maybe add a little more at a time.
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[Aqua Barker]

Oh I get what all the bacteria and stuff do. But in 3 days it went from almost nothing to nothing and I didn't even test my nitrates on the first day because I was so sure it didn't cycle. Will keep adding food I guess.

[diademhill]

Have you tested your well water?

[CSnyder00]

Very good idea. Well water could be providing something.
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So many fish, so little time...

[Aqua Barker]

Test it with my master test kit you mean? No I haven't. I'm thinking it cycled thought. Might run out today to get a couple small guys to bring them home to a new tank.