Nitrogen cycle abnormality? Yes or no?

[Heyguy74]

Looks to me that the tank is cycled. Although its tough to tell with the ammonia. I cant tell if its 0 or .25. Your doing water changes, so that will keep the nitrates down as well. As long as the ammonia and nitrites are 0 and your getting nitrates to rise, your cycled. Keep an eye on the parameters for the next few days.

The brown water is probably tannis, leeching from the driftwood. Its normal.

 

[divemaster99]

Alright, I assumed they were tannins but I have never seen them take that long to show up.

 

[divemaster99]

I tested the water again a few hours ago and it tested the same for all. Ammonia <0.25, nitrite 0.0, nitrate 5.0. I wonder if it's because I only have 7 smaller fish that don't have huge bioloads plus a canister with a 383 gph rating which is a lot for a 75 with only a few small, cleaner fish. What do you guys think: did the cycle somehow "freeze" if that's even possible or is it just what I stated above? Or maybe something else.

If it stays like that for the next 3 or 4 days, I am going to assume it is done cycling and start gradually adding the rest of the fish. Next fish will be added in about 7 days in that situation.

 

[pops]

your ammonia is 0 , I agree, you should be good to go to start building your stock,

 

[divemaster99]

your ammonia is 0 , I agree, you should be good to go to start building your stock,

Well it sat least below a level of ANY threat. If it is there it all it is probably around 0.05.

yes, finally after 6 months of waiting for this tank and another month of cycling I can start adding some of my better fish.

 

[divemaster99]

Well the next fish I would be adding would be my sailfin pleco and striped raphael catfish from my 30 gallon. And I know they both are pretty hardy. Do you think I would be good to put them in tomorrow or Sunday or should I wait a week?

 

[pops]

what size are they? i would add least one right now. depending on size.

 

[pops]

I have 3 sail fins, from 4" to 14" , one is a move around tanks algae cleaner.

 

[divemaster99]

They are both just shy of 3" at about 2.75".

 

[divemaster99]

I think at that size I could add them at the same time. I will get the pleco out with a net and the raphael with a cup but then how am I supposed to acclimate them? I don't have any bags to put them in or any quarantine sections. I guess I could float a plastic food container if you think that would be alright.