How do I know how far my tank is in the cycling process?

fishykid9212 · 09/02/2011, 04:26 PM

I just tested the nitrites and they are 0.1-0.2. There is also ammonia still in the water. The reason why I ask is because I am using dry rock and dry sand. I bought a alb rock to seed everything. There is a damsel in there as well and I feed it more than he eats. I've only cycled with live rock so I honestly don't know how this is going to work. Since I have nitrites that means I have bacteria right?

thegrun · 09/02/2011, 05:00 PM

I can't say I agree with your use of a fish to cycle your tank and would recommend removing it before it suffers any more. Simply feeding the tank like there was a fish in it will work just as well without subjecting the fish to ammonia poisoning. As to your question, yes, if you are seeing nitrites, the cycle is progressing. Your ammonia levels should drop to zero soon, followed by a drop in the nitrites.

MattinIdaho · 09/02/2011, 06:17 PM

Can you give me an idea of how long ago you started your cycle? Where did your Ammonia peak at? etc. I'm in the process now and am just curious how my time frame compares to yours.

SushiGirl · 09/02/2011, 06:41 PM

Time frames are different for every tank, and also is dependent on how you cycle, so no reference of someone else's tank is really going to tell you anything.

You're really not going to know how far along you are, but you will know when you're done (ammonia & nitrites at zero).

I know, not really the answers hoped for, but it's just a fact of tank cycling!

09/02/2011, 04:26 PM	#1
fishykid9212 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,470	How do I know how far my tank is in the cycling process? I just tested the nitrites and they are 0.1-0.2. There is also ammonia still in the water. The reason why I ask is because I am using dry rock and dry sand. I bought a alb rock to seed everything. There is a damsel in there as well and I feed it more than he eats. I've only cycled with live rock so I honestly don't know how this is going to work. Since I have nitrites that means I have bacteria right?

09/02/2011, 06:41 PM	#4
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Time frames are different for every tank, and also is dependent on how you cycle, so no reference of someone else's tank is really going to tell you anything. You're really not going to know how far along you are, but you will know when you're done (ammonia & nitrites at zero). I know, not really the answers hoped for, but it's just a fact of tank cycling! __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

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09/02/2011, 05:00 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I can't say I agree with your use of a fish to cycle your tank and would recommend removing it before it suffers any more. Simply feeding the tank like there was a fish in it will work just as well without subjecting the fish to ammonia poisoning. As to your question, yes, if you are seeing nitrites, the cycle is progressing. Your ammonia levels should drop to zero soon, followed by a drop in the nitrites.

09/02/2011, 06:17 PM	#3
MattinIdaho Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Teton, Idaho Posts: 229	Can you give me an idea of how long ago you started your cycle? Where did your Ammonia peak at? etc. I'm in the process now and am just curious how my time frame compares to yours.