Another fishless cycle inquiry

[wildforfish]

Hello to all,

Please be patient, this may be a longer post than usual, my apologies
in advance.

Here are the specifics on the tank in question:

20 gal tank = 17 gallons actual water
whisper 20 = filter bag from cycled tank, carbon removed
2x2 extra sponge from cycled tank
submersed heater = 82 degrees
15 plants
gravel
1 medium ornament
6 rocks = from cycled tank
Test kit = API freshwater master test kit

I started the cycle on April 6, 2008.
Due to illness, was not able to keep up with adding ammonia and taking
readings. ( 4/9-4/13/08)

Not sure on how to proceed with the cycling.

Here are the readings from today:

Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrite: 2.0
Nitrate: 5.0-10 ( color is in between the two numbers)
Ph: 7.6
Hardness: 150
Alkaline: 180

I did have Ammonia readings of 4.0 at the beginning, then they fell in
between the 4.0 & 8.0 coloring.
I really could use information on logging readings that fall between colors.

I apologize if I have given more information than is needed or if I forgot
something.

Suggestions on how to proceed?

Thank you for your time.
Christine

[iapetus]

Well, it'd be a great if there were a more objective way to determine readings between colors, but there simply isn't. You have to estimate. I find it to be frustratingly subjective, but there's not much that can be done about that. You've got to live with it.

As far as where you should go from here, I say that you should just keep adding ammonia and monitoring your water parameters. It's encouraging that your ammonia levels fell and that you're seeing nitrites. But, I'm not sure there's really anything you can do about the break in your ammonia dosing -- you should just keep moving forward as though it didn't happen, I think.

Waiting for the nitrites to drop can be the longest, most trying part of the process.

[TLH]

Yep, just carry on as before. I doubt you've lost any bacteria that developed as the ammonia didn't drop to zero so they still had food. Carry on topping up to 4-5ppm I say and don't worry about the gap.

[Airborneguy]

I had a break my first time because I thought I could stop adding ammonia. I had been seeing my ammonia disappear within hours, but because of the break, there must have been a die off and the ammonia was lingering for a few days. Keep adding it and you should see the bacteria recover and the ammonia start disappearing again within a few days. That's what happened with me.

[MissFishy]

Looks like your tank is cycling amazingly fast! Keep adding the ammonia until you can add it and the ammonia/nitrite readings go down to zero within 24 hours. Keep up the good work!

[wildforfish]

Hello to all,

Phew, I thought I was going to have to start over.

Thank you all for your responses.

I will restart adding ammonia tonight and do testing as "normal".

Will update numbers in a couple of days, just to make sure things are on track.

Thank you again.
Christine

[wildforfish]

Hello to all,

Just thought I'd check-in and let you know how the cycle is going.

Started re-adding ammonia on 4/15/08.

2 tablespoons each day for 5 days, readings each pm:

Ammonia: 4.0
NitrIte: 2.0
NitrAte: 5.0

Readings this evening:

Ammonia: .50
NitrIte: 1.0
NitrAte: 5.0

Is there something wrong here?

Should I add a greater amount of ammonia to bring readings back to 4.0?

Don't want to mess up and have to wait longer. This tank is for my son.

Thank you for your time.
Christine

[emmanuelchavez]

You're on the right track! Don't worry.

Add some more ammonia to bring it back up. If it starts dropping quickly again, you're almost done. Once you get to the point where after adding ammonia, it drops to zero, along with nitrites, you should be done. What kind of fish is it going to have?

[wildforfish]

Hello emmanuelchavez,

Thank you for your reply.

The tank will be for Indian Glass Fish, couple of Panda Cories and some ottos.

Will add the ammonia this evening.

Christine

[Airborneguy]

Moving along smoothly... just make sure to keep adding the ammonia.