FishProfiles.com Message Forums

i set up a 30usg tank and put a 6 inch pleco in from his 10 usg tank.(not my fish, i know he gets big) and i waited almost two weeks and i have no amonia, nitrate or nitrate. i did put a few bunches of plants in and an unclead plastic cave from the other tank. i figure that the pleco was not producing enough waste so i added 3 zebra danio's from my tank. almost anoter wee later i see no amonia or nitrite and only a small amount of nitrate.

does this mean the fish and rock carried enough bactiera with them to cycle the tank or are my plants stopping the cycly all together.

would like to know because i plan on putting in a pair of rams and i dont want them to get streesed if the tank decides to cycle when i put them in.

total time of set up is almost 3 weeks.


chris

What held up the process was a lack of ammonia from just one fish...

Three or four fish would have started the process of supplying ammonia, a food source for nitrifying bacteria.

It takes time for the nitrifying bacteria to form in order to consume ammonia and that's where the danger lies.

Your test will show ammonia when present in larger amounts and tests will show nitrifying bacteria starting to consume the ammonia.

Another bacteria will form to consume the nitrifying bacteria, a danger to fish. A test for nitrates perhaps in the 10ppm range, the end product of consuming the nitrites, will show a tank that is just about cycled.

--garyroland.

i also added cycle if that may have helped out. if it has not cycled yet i am going to be mad, takes long enough in the first place.


chris

Well, Im no expert, but it took my tank 8 (yes eight) weeks to cycle with 3 platies and LOTS of baby frys. I didn't have any gravel or other decorations from an established tank. But I also put "Cycle' in quite a bit.

Are you doing water changes? As I was told, those can slow down your cycling. And are only necessary if your ammonia, nitrites, nitrate levels get dangerously high.

So, be patient, it will happen....sometime...

Even after adding the New Improved Cycle the newly forming bacteria require enough ammonia as a food source...

The usual method for a new tank is to add the NIC as directed and add three or four fish immediately.

The NIC directions will tell you to repeat every seven days for two weeks. Testing is not required. The NIC will do its job.

--garyroland.

added 3 zebra danios and still no signs of amonia or nitrites. what to do now.


chris

Take a sample of your water to the pet store and ask them to test it for you. That way you will know if your test kit is bad or not wether they get the same results. Most places will do it for you for free. They may require a little fee but its worth it to double check.
HTH

Yes that 6 inch plec is one fish but it's a 6 inch plec. . . they produce a lot of waste and IMO you should be seeing something by now. I agree with gomer, take some water to the lfs and get them to test it, just in case your tests might be off a bit.

i have used multiple test kits witch read fine on my other tanks. I am thinking that the plants might be eating up the amonia and nitrite too quickly, mabey i will add a few more fish.


chris