I think my cycle is done?

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Bleeding

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 14, 2006
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KC, Missouri
Hey guys -

I started a fishless cycle about 4 or 5 weeks ago, using an eheim 2026 filter and 55 gal. tank.

I finally got the ammonia and nitrite levels to zero. I have crushed coral to balance the ph at about 7.8 (for african c.).

I have a couple of questions about this. Before I start putting in the africans, I need to get the nitrates down since i have done no water changes since the cycle started....

1. How much water can I change without screwing up the bacteria or causing another mini cycle?

2. Why did my crushed coral bottom become covered with a bright green algae suddenly this week?

3. How many fish can I add the first time? I have never done a fishless cycle and am not sure how steady it will be adding fish. They will probably be 2-3" each.
 
It sounds like you did everything right. The algee is fairly normal at this stage...cut down the lighting a bit and it should go away on it's own. Start with a half dozen 2" fish and let it stabolize for a week or so. The BB level will adjust to the new fish load.
If your nitrate level is above 40 ppm then a 30% water change just before adding the fish shouldn't hurt anything as long as you have good tap water...if not then use a tap water conditioner.

Oops almost forgot the MOST importiant part of ANY new tank set up...
If you don't post pictures then you automaticly incur the MFK curse and your tank will crash...or something....
 
Wolf3101;1337282; said:
It sounds like you did everything right. The algee is fairly normal at this stage...cut down the lighting a bit and it should go away on it's own. Start with a half dozen 2" fish and let it stabolize for a week or so. The BB level will adjust to the new fish load.
If your nitrate level is above 40 ppm then a 30% water change just before adding the fish shouldn't hurt anything as long as you have good tap water...if not then use a tap water conditioner.

Oops almost forgot the MOST importiant part of ANY new tank set up...
If you don't post pictures then you automaticly incur the MFK curse and your tank will crash...or something....
Click to expand...

lol
MFK curse.
 
You can change out as much as you wish (I suggest 80%). None of your "cycling bacteria" lives in the water column. I'm surprised your cycle took so long, usually a fishless cycle takes about 7-14 days tops, if done correctly.
 
To remove as much of the nitrate as possible.
 
What's the difference? Might as well give the fish the best chance. I mean, as long as I have the hose in my tanks, I do 75-80% weekly WC on all of them.
 
I am not sure what I would have done wrong....but I tested the water twice weekly and it seemed like it took the cycle a while to start, I guess meaning that the ammonia spike didnt occur for a week or 2, and then I didnt see any change in nitrite level until about a week ago...it went up to about 5 ppm and then algae grew then everything leveled off...I didnt do any water changes during the cycle and added some bacteria to help the cycle (stress zyme).

I have heard on this forum that the fishless cycle can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months....i dunno, just want to do it right.
 
The ammonia spike in fishless cycling is caused by the owner of the tank adding ammonia. How are you actually cycling the tank? It should only tank a week. Stresszyme is just dead bacteria & can actually hinder your cycle.

See: FISHLESS CYCLING
 
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