Jump to content

End of Cycle? 0 Nitrates

WaldoDude

By WaldoDude
in Water Parameters

 Share

Recommended Posts

WaldoDude Shrimp Enthusiast

WaldoDude

Posted
Posted

Hello! 
I'm at the end of week 3 for my new 15 gallon tank.  The tank was definitely cycling but now it seems to have reached its end (at least I hope) but of course I just want confirmation as 3 weeks seem very fast (but I know its usually the minimum)  and the 0 nitrates has given me doubts (but again I know its possible). 

Cyclig progress as follows:

End of week 2
Am - 1.0-2.0
Nitrite - 0.25
Didn't test for nitrate

End of week 3 (tested today)
Am - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0 (it seems, I tested it twice, just in-case I didn't shake the API bottles hard enough haha)

Both time's I've tested it the day after doing an ~80 water change. 
Is this normal? Is the cycle finishing? or did I mess it up by doing too big of a water change? Its mainly the lack of nitrates that is concerning me, but my other tank, a 10 gallon cube that has been running for almost a year now also tests for 0 nitrates the past few months. Both tanks are heavily planted. 

I will test again tomorrow just to confirm and give it more time after a water change.

Cheers
 

IMG-8960.jpg

IMG-9009.JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
WaldoDude Shrimp Enthusiast

WaldoDude

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Also Im an idiot and read my own dates wrong. This is the end of week 2 for the tank! So the first test results were the end of week 1 and the latest test results is end of week 2 (day 16 to be exact). So still even more speedy in this case! 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
sdlTBfanUK Shrimp Master

sdlTBfanUK

Posted
Posted

It does sound and look like you have cycled the tank well. I imagine if there are lots of plants they are absorbing the nitrates.

If you did the usual seeding from your other tank then it is quite possible to be cycled in less than the 3 weeks, possibly even a week. Did you seed from your other tank?

What is your plan now? Do you know your parameters now?

Simon

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
WaldoDude Shrimp Enthusiast

WaldoDude

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Haha I sure hope so! I did not seed from another tank BUT I did use Aquaone Bio Starter which I forgot about and is what I'm thinking to be the probable the reason for the quick cycle. 
Just tested the rest of the parameters and they are as follows:
Ph - 7.5
Am - 0
Nitrite  - 0
Nitrate - 0
GH - 7
Kh - 3
TDS - 171

My plan was to move in my 6 neons and 3 darwin algae shrimp from my small 7 gallon. I'm going to give it a couple more days first, testing for ammonia as I'm using some ADA Amazonia soil which I know should be leaching ammonia. But if its undetected, I am going to move my shrimp first, give it a week then move my neons in. 
 

Edited by WaldoDude
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
sdlTBfanUK Shrimp Master

sdlTBfanUK

Posted
Posted

It does sound and look like you have cycled the tank well. I imagine if there are lots of plants they are absorbing the nitrates.

If you did the usual seeding from your other tank then it is quite possible to be cycled in less than the 3 weeks, possibly even a week. Did you seed from your other tank?

What is your plan now? Do you know your parameters now?

What will you then beusing the 7 gallon tank for?

Simon

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
WaldoDude Shrimp Enthusiast

WaldoDude

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Probably gonna get rid of it/clean it up and sell it. It’s an Aquaone lifestyle 29, one of those with built in filter, lights and hood. While it was a good beginner tank, I find It hard to maintain as the built-in features make it hard to get around the inside to clean and what not. Also the light doesn’t reach the back of the tank.

Planning on getting a 5 gallon rimless tank  in the future and starting a Caridina shrimp colony. Thinking Orange-eyed blue tigers. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crabby Shrimp Breeder

Crabby

Posted
Posted

Just a bit of a warning - it's usually best to leave the tank about a month before adding shrimp. Just so algae can grow well, and there's sufficient biofilm. So maybe add the neons then the darwins? Just my personal preference tho.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
WaldoDude Shrimp Enthusiast

WaldoDude

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah I have read that too but the tank currently has an outbreak in all sorts of things, as you might see in the pictures. In particular the driftwood has thick biofilm emanating from it, typical of new wood in an aquarium. I've got brown diatoms all over the tank and glass, even forming cobwebs on the rocks, and there's green algae on the wood now. From what I know, shrimp will readily eat all of this, especially the biofilm. Some of the plans look like they are suffering from the brown diatoms, so I'm hoping the shrimp will help alleviate the issue. Also I only have 4 darwins, so I don't think it should be a huge hit to the tank, in terms of initial stock? What do you think?

IMG-8956.jpg

IMG-8957.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Join Our Community!

    Register today, ask questions and share your shrimp and fish tank experiences with us!

  • Must Read SKF Articles

    Shrimp Disease and Treatment
    Tibee, Taitbee, Pinto, Mischling, F1, F2

  • Tropical Fish Forum
    Discus Breeding Guide
    Discus Disease and Treatment Guide

  • Posts

    • sdlTBfanUK
      Finally set up the 30L Shrimp Tank

      By sdlTBfanUK · Posted

      It has been a few weeks now and I have done a couple of large water changes. I tested the water parameters this morning, GH6 and KH2, TDS 140 and PH 7.5. Obviously the PH is off but there isn't anything in the tank that should cause the PH to rise to this figure so I will just run the tank for another month with 10% weekly water changes (probably just with RO water) and see where we are at that point. The RO water tests at PH6, and the KH and GH in the tank could come down as they are at the upper limits for Caridina shrimps! There are only about 10 very small snails in there at this point, but they seem to be doing well enough.
    • sdlTBfanUK
      Pure Red Line (PRL) Shrimps Western Australia seller

      By sdlTBfanUK · Posted

      I believe these to be very rare in Australia so you may even consider making it a longer term plan and produce your own by starting with the best CRS you can get as that is where the pure lines started! Depends how patient and interested in the project you are, but would save money as well? If I recall correctly it takes from 8 generations of selective breeding? They sell them at micro aquatic shop but do not ship to Western Australia, but that means they are available in Australia. https://microaquaticshop.com.au/products/pure-red-line-grade-ss-shrimp Good luck and just maybe smeone on here may point you in the right direction or be able to supply you with some.
    • Jimmy
      Pure Red Line (PRL) Shrimps Western Australia seller

      By Jimmy · Posted

      Hi Guys,  Does anyone know where to buy PRL shrimps in WA, not the CRS please. Thanks Regards  
    • Subtlefly
      Is this garden hose end alloy pipe safe to use for aquarium piping?

      By Subtlefly · Posted

      Yes it’s super accurate to position where I want now and stay there- I am satisfied.  All the fish and shrimpers are doing excellent! Coming up on 4 years running!
    • sdlTBfanUK
      Is this garden hose end alloy pipe safe to use for aquarium piping?

      By sdlTBfanUK · Posted

      You must be pleased with that, it looks better and is much more robust and less likely to damage or leaks! The tank looks very natural now it has been running for a time. I see the ember tetras, how are the blue shrimp doing, I see a few? The cat and dog look very content and unimpressed, lol.
×
×
  • Create New...