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I started cycling a 5g a week ago. The tank ran a filter out of my established 10g for 3 days before I put in a dwarf gourami. (I know that's not the best fish to cycle with, but I read on a website that you can use them.) I also have an ornament from the 10g and some gravel in part of pantyhose. So far the readings are:
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10 ppm
I haven't done pH yet. I am worried about the 0 ammonia. Did the filter, gravel, and ornament cycle it or is it still cycling and ammonia just hasn't shown up yet?

*Kristin*

uve introduced bacteria from established tank which definitely hasten the cycling of ur tank... u have a small tank and its possible uve cycled it out..but...as small as that...better add another fish since its been a week now..and see if ur goin to another mini-cycle. ammonia usually rises on the 3rd day (IMO..mine on the 2nd)

Last edited by tankie at 11-May-2005 11:54

The nitrifying bacteria needs 3-4 weeks to colonize any given media (orniments, filter, filter floss, sponges, plants, gravel ect, ect, ect.), as I'm sure you know the cycle needs patience .
As was mentioned you did seed the tank with the ornament and gravel, however since the filter only ran for 3 days that really wasnt enough time to have it loaded with the good stuff.
Any live plants in the tank? If so that may be why you're not seeing ammonia showing as of yet.

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I have no live plants in the tank. I am not rushing the process..just wondered why I am not seeing ammonia yet. My dwarf gourami isn't very happy in that tank so I do want the cycling to go as fast as possible to get him back to his regular tank. I know it takes time. Thanks for the help!

*Kristin*

this is just a thought but could your test kit be brocken?

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