macdaddy36 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 My 20 gallon high planted fish tank had been cycling for about a week when I went to buy a few fish to continue the cycle. I got 5 Harlequin Rasboras from my LFS a few days ago. (I will get more when it is done cycling.) I have been feeding my fish for 3 days and still have had almost 0 reading of Ammonia, Nitrite, or Nitrate. (I say almost because a couple days ago I had 0.25 ppm Ammonia.) My test kit is an API All-in-one liquid test kit. Is it possible that the Ammonia is being consumed by the plants as soon as it is created by fish waste. I am a beginner and this is kind of confusing for me. There is a picture of the tank below. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) Highly unlikely that the cycle is complete. NitrAtes should have a reading <0 after cycling. You would have to have a lot more plants to have 0 Nitrates.. Even then; I might be unsure about it. Have you been tracking your daily water tests somewhere to show what your readings have been? This would be tremendously helpful for us to see your cycling progress. Edited June 23, 2022 by Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 3:23 PM, Jeff said: Highly unlikely that the cycle is complete. NitrAtes should have a reading <0 after cycling. You would have to have a lot more plants to have 0 Nitrates.. Even then; I might be unsure about it. Have you been tracking your daily water tests somewhere to show what your readings have been? This would be tremendously helpful for us to see your cycling progress. Belo is a chart where I have been keeping track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billango Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 From my experience, my plants suck up nitrates, but ammonia would still get through to convert to nitrite and such so I dont think your plants are consuming it all. Id just keep monitoring the parameters as it's only been a few days with light stocking and decent water volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Plants will use ammonia so they will help. The cycle does take some time and I’ve never seen it work out where there was a quick cycle unless you use media from an established tank. looks like it is going well for you. Just stay on testing. The ammonia and nitrites can build rapidly in a stocked tank. So, just don’t get relaxed on checking it. you are doing great. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 Yeah I will test everyday and do water changes at least every other day for the next few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 I looked at the back of the tank today and the giant sag has already created new runners all across the back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndEEss Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Why are you cycling a tank with fish in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 @macdaddy36, your plants are probably sucking up some of the ammonia. Those five little Rasboras aren’t making much waste. If you keep up with water changes you’ll keep the toxins to a minimum and before you know it the tank will be cycled. Part of the reason that fish in cycling developed a bad reputation is because people would get a new tank and immediately overstock it. For instance a 10 gal with two Angels, a school of Tetras, a Pleco and a school of Corydoras. Before you know it the toxins are out of control and fish are dying. In your case, the 20 gal with just five Rasboras and lots of plants, the process should be easy to manage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-In-Of-TheSea Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Check this out for cycling with plants! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisanderson707 Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 2:18 PM, macdaddy36 said: Yeah I will test everyday and do water changes at least every other day for the next few weeks. I would personally change less water. We typically change water to get rid of nitrates, you don't have any so I'd step back to once a week max. At least while cycling and keeping an eye on parameters. Good luck! I think your doing great so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 On 6/24/2022 at 10:34 PM, Chrisanderson707 said: I would personally change less water. We typically change water to get rid of nitrates, you don't have any so I'd step back to once a week max. At least while cycling and keeping an eye on parameters. Good luck! I think your doing great so far! Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy36 Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 4:57 PM, Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics said: Plants will use ammonia so they will help. The cycle does take some time and I’ve never seen it work out where there was a quick cycle unless you use media from an established tank. looks like it is going well for you. Just stay on testing. The ammonia and nitrites can build rapidly in a stocked tank. So, just don’t get relaxed on checking it. you are doing great. Yup, Still no Ammonia, or Nitrite. On 6/24/2022 at 5:59 PM, AndEEss said: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Did you ever see nitrites in the tank? And what is the nitrates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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