New tank 150g Cycle question

[Iggypop]

hi everyone. So I finally got my tank up and filled earlier this week. Wednesday night I filled and primed the tank and let it settle for 24 hrs. I planned on doing a Fish-in cycle while using Nutrafin cycle bio supplement which I started Thursday night. I added about 16 small fish (combination of different Danios/rasboras) trying to follow the 1 inch per 10 gallon I read somewhere for cycling a new tank. I was also able to get some seeded gravel from a LFS which I have in a mesh bag in the tank by the intake filter. Lastnight was the last Dose of nutrafin cycle(day3). I've been testing my water since day 1( but not logging) this morning my results were AMM-0.25 Nitrites - 0 Nitrates 5-10ppm I was running late for work and the color after 3-4 min seemed similar to me. So my questions are: I have not registered any Nitrites since I started testing, is this normal? is my cycle headed in the right direction?
Ps. The fish all seem to be doing great, the majority are schooling together and seem very active in the tank. Thanks for any input in advance, I just want to make sure I haven't messed up the cycle this early on.
More info if needed: tank is 5x2x2, filtration - FX-6 using the stock media that comes with it

 

[Drstrangelove]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?403999-Nutrafin-Cycle-Advice

Probably read through this and then see what you think. I'm not sure you are using this correctly, however, I don't use starter kits, so don't take that too seriously.

I know that many experienced hobbyists do use starters and are quite successful in that approach. I lean towards the old fashioned patience and add an ammonia source to a fish-less tank.

 

[Iggypop]

Hi, yes I actually did read that thread when I was looking for info on nutrafin. I did follow nutrafins directions given for new tanks. I'm mostly just wondering how I'm not getting nitrites readings but my nitrates are showing up. From what I've researched on "cycling" It can be possible if the tank was seeded with an established filter/deco etc. I do have some seeded gravel but don't know if a couple cups of gravel in a bag would be enough to bypass that stage in a big tank.

 

[Aw3s0m3]

Hi, yes I actually did read that thread when I was looking for info on nutrafin. I did follow nutrafins directions given for new tanks. I'm mostly just wondering how I'm not getting nitrites readings but my nitrates are showing up. From what I've researched on "cycling" It can be possible if the tank was seeded with an established filter/deco etc. I do have some seeded gravel but don't know if a couple cups of gravel in a bag would be enough to bypass that stage in a big tank.

My guess would be that since the fish are so small, the bacteria is adequate enough since the fish aren't producing very much waste. This is just a guess though.


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[Iggypop]

My guess would be that since the fish are so small, the bacteria is adequate enough since the fish aren't producing very much waste. This is just a guess though.


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That guess also crossed my mind but I wasn't sure either, I was hoping I'd get some insight from members by posting before I considered adding some more fish or if that was even something I should do

 

[Aw3s0m3]

That guess also crossed my mind but I wasn't sure either, I was hoping I'd get some insight from members by posting before I considered adding some more fish or if that was even something I should do

I would just leave it as is and keep testing it until ammonia reads 0 then add 1 or 2 larger fish. Not huge fish though. That would be too much of a shock for the bacteria I think.


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