Cycling Question

[David Magnuson]

Hello All,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I set up my 40Breeder 10 days ago.

Here are my tank's measurements:
PH=7.6
GH=150ppm
KH=150ppm
Ammonia=0ppm
Nitrite=0ppm
Nitrate=5ppm (tap water is 5 after 24 hours also)

I have a Betta in a 1 gallon tank with U/G filter - he's been around
since March. I put the sponge from my new power filter (aquaclear 50 -
old 200) in with the betta for a couple of days and then put it into
my 40Breeder.

I added 5 zebra danios last saturday, and have been feeding them
sparingly the last 10 days.

Question: I have measured the ammonia and nitrites daily for the past
10 days and have seen no spikes or rising at all. Why it this?

1) The seeded sponge now in my power filter can process the amount of
waste the danios put out on a daily basis?
2) The danios don't put out enough waste to registeryet in a tank of
such large relative volume.

I am trying to be patient, but would like some guidance.

Should I continue to wait? Add a couple more danios to help with
increasing waste production?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Regards,
David

[Jim85CJ]

i cycled my 10 gallon with 5 danios...

David Magnuson wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Long time lurker, first time poster.
>
> I set up my 40Breeder 10 days ago.
>
> Here are my tank's measurements:
> PH=7.6
> GH=150ppm
> KH=150ppm
> Ammonia=0ppm
> Nitrite=0ppm
> Nitrate=5ppm (tap water is 5 after 24 hours also)
>
> I have a Betta in a 1 gallon tank with U/G filter - he's been around
> since March. I put the sponge from my new power filter (aquaclear 50 -
> old 200) in with the betta for a couple of days and then put it into
> my 40Breeder.
>
> I added 5 zebra danios last saturday, and have been feeding them
> sparingly the last 10 days.
>
> Question: I have measured the ammonia and nitrites daily for the past
> 10 days and have seen no spikes or rising at all. Why it this?
>
> 1) The seeded sponge now in my power filter can process the amount of
> waste the danios put out on a daily basis?
> 2) The danios don't put out enough waste to registeryet in a tank of
> such large relative volume.
>
> I am trying to be patient, but would like some guidance.
>
> Should I continue to wait? Add a couple more danios to help with
> increasing waste production?
>
> Thanks in advance for the advice!
>
> Regards,
> David
>

--
------------------------------------------------------------

"There are all kinds of atrocities, and I would have to
say that, yes, yes, I committed the same kind of atrocities...
I took part in the burning of villages."
-- John Kerry

[Amateur Cichlids]

"David Magnuson" > wrote in message
...
> Hello All,
>
> Long time lurker, first time poster.
>
> I set up my 40Breeder 10 days ago.
>
> Here are my tank's measurements:
> PH=7.6
> GH=150ppm
> KH=150ppm
> Ammonia=0ppm
> Nitrite=0ppm
> Nitrate=5ppm (tap water is 5 after 24 hours also)
>
> I have a Betta in a 1 gallon tank with U/G filter - he's been around
> since March. I put the sponge from my new power filter (aquaclear 50 -
> old 200) in with the betta for a couple of days and then put it into
> my 40Breeder.
>
> I added 5 zebra danios last saturday, and have been feeding them
> sparingly the last 10 days.
>
> Question: I have measured the ammonia and nitrites daily for the past
> 10 days and have seen no spikes or rising at all. Why it this?
>
> 1) The seeded sponge now in my power filter can process the amount of
> waste the danios put out on a daily basis?
> 2) The danios don't put out enough waste to registeryet in a tank of
> such large relative volume.
>
> I am trying to be patient, but would like some guidance.
>
> Should I continue to wait? Add a couple more danios to help with
> increasing waste production?
>
> Thanks in advance for the advice!
>
> Regards,
> David
>

Sounds like whatever bacteria you have in the tank is keeping up with the
danios. If you have someplace safe for you danios, I'd remove them and begin
a fishless cycle by adding ammonia directly to the tank. There's a number of
good articles written that tell you how much to add for your size tank. When
you can add ammonia and have your ammonia still register 0, then you know
you have a cycled tank.
Tim
www.fishaholics.org

[NetMax]

"David Magnuson" > wrote in message
...
> Hello All,
>
> Long time lurker, first time poster.

Welcome :o)

> I set up my 40Breeder 10 days ago.
>
> Here are my tank's measurements:
> PH=7.6
> GH=150ppm
> KH=150ppm
> Ammonia=0ppm
> Nitrite=0ppm
> Nitrate=5ppm (tap water is 5 after 24 hours also)
>
> I have a Betta in a 1 gallon tank with U/G filter - he's been around
> since March. I put the sponge from my new power filter (aquaclear 50 -
> old 200) in with the betta for a couple of days and then put it into
> my 40Breeder.
>
> I added 5 zebra danios last saturday, and have been feeding them
> sparingly the last 10 days.

Your weeks are longer than mine if last Saturday was 10 days ago ;~).
Five danios are about 8" fish-load. For a 40g, you could have started
with a few more danios, but it's not neccesary.

> Question: I have measured the ammonia and nitrites daily for the past
> 10 days and have seen no spikes or rising at all. Why it this?

What has been the measurement? If zero, then increase their feedings and
wait & watch. After another week of no NH3/4 -or- NO2 -and- you see NO3,
then you are cycled.

> 1) The seeded sponge now in my power filter can process the amount of
> waste the danios put out on a daily basis?

If NH3/4 and NO2 is zero, then yes (basically, as the test kits are not
that accurate). Feeding more would let you know, though with only 5
danios, the change will not be dramatic.

> 2) The danios don't put out enough waste to registeryet in a tank of
> such large relative volume.

There is some validity to this, partly due to the threshold accuracy of
the test kits. Another week should indicate where you are.

> I am trying to be patient, but would like some guidance.

Fish-keeping is an art of patience, observation and research. You sound
like you are doing everything fine.

> Should I continue to wait? Add a couple more danios to help with
> increasing waste production?

Double the feedings and it will be like you added five more fish. It's
the amount of digested food, not the amount of fish. hth

ps: don't fishless cycle from this point (jmo), and remember, cycling =
NO3 *and* zero NO2 and zero NH3/4.
--
www.NetMax.tk

> Thanks in advance for the advice!
>
> Regards,
> David
>