Tank Parameters?

[ciele02]

Hi, I just had a question regarding tank cycling...basically how do you know when the tank is properly cycled....for example I have a chiller that keeps my 4 foot tank (with 3 Axies) at 13 degrees celsius. Each of my water testing kits say if, Ammonia for example, goes to high it's toxic...well that's obvious..But I'm wondering in an ideal world what would the perfect readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate etc be? I'm keeping a log and record all my results daily to watch for any spikes and my Axies have finally settled well after 3 weeks at my house. Thanks for any answers!

 

[snuggly time]

Hi,

When your tank is cycled the ammonia and nitrite should both be at 0. The nitrate reading is what you're looking for. It is considered not too toxic up to around 40 ppm. Although if mine went past 20 - 30 ppm I would do small water changes just to be on the safe side .

 

[layna]

I second the above comment, ammonia and nitrite should be 0
nitrAte should be less than 40ppm.
Can i ask what your using to test the water?
heres something that might help you, i know you have axies in the water but it still helps with cycling;
The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

 

[ciele02]

Hey Guys, thanks for the help! like I said I am testing every morning...they were not the happiest looking Axies when I rescued them so I'm super paranoid about their water. I have Aqua Master ph kit. API Nitrate and Nitrite kits and an Aqua one Ammonia kit.
my pH has been from 7.4 down to 7
Nitrite consistantly 0
Nitrate consistantly below 10 ppm
and Ammonia averages 0.5 mg/l the highest it has been is 1.0mg/l

Also I started my Tank half full and have added dechlorinated gradually to the tank over the last couple of weeks. So rather than doing a water change and taking bacteria out, I've essentially left all the bacteria in the water. I'm hoping I'm doing this all right, I want my Axies to live with me for many years to come. Thanks again

 

[Jacquie]

Hey Guys, thanks for the help! like I said I am testing every morning...they were not the happiest looking Axies when I rescued them so I'm super paranoid about their water. I have Aqua Master ph kit. API Nitrate and Nitrite kits and an Aqua one Ammonia kit.
my pH has been from 7.4 down to 7
Nitrite consistantly 0
Nitrate consistantly below 10 ppm
and Ammonia averages 0.5 mg/l the highest it has been is 1.0mg/l

I would recommend testing your tap water for Ammonia. If the test is positive, don't panic, this just means that your water board is using chloromine rather than chlorine. For further information on chloromine, and how it effects your tank, please have a read through these articles:

Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality
Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

Once your bacteria colonies have established themselves in the tank, they will be able to deal with the traces of ammonia in the chloromine with no problem.

You may wish to check your dechlorinator to make sure it treats the water for both chlorine and chloromine.

If there is no chloromine in your tap water, then your cycle still has a way to go if it's reading 0.5 - 1.0 levels.

Also I started my Tank half full and have added dechlorinated gradually to the tank over the last couple of weeks. So rather than doing a water change and taking bacteria out, I've essentially left all the bacteria in the water. I'm hoping I'm doing this all right, I want my Axies to live with me for many years to come. Thanks again

You are better off filling the tank, and changing water out by conducting partial water changes. The majority of the beneficial bacteria actually live on your tank surfaces, not the water column. By keeping the top half of the tank 'dry', you are depriving the bacteria of a large surface area to colonize.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[layna]

I second the above post, the bacteria live on all the surfaces not in the water so it will be okay to fill the tank up then just do partial water changes when necessary, that way you can set aside a bucket, add the dechlorinator then leave for 24 hours, after 24 hours just take some water out the tank and plonk in the already prepared bucket, it takes about 5 mins

 

[hairypumpkin]

I have a question as well, if you are going to let your bucket of water sit for 24-48hrs why put in the dechlorinater as well? I thought the chlorine evaporated after 24hrs?

Or does the dechlorinater remove other things in the water too?

 

[layna]

Your dechlorinator should at the very least remove chlorine and (i think its called) chloride the chloride stuff doesnt ever evaporate and needs dechlorinator to remove it, my dechlorinator also removes heavy metals and has aloe in it to give a protective coating and reduce stress on my axies
dechlorinator is essential with tap water