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Magdelaine · 04-19-2005, 06:49 PM

I am currently on day 12 of cycling a new 10 gallon tank. Most of what I went through with my goldfish is here: http://www.fishforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2164.

Well on Sunday morning I noticed Elmo had died having gotten stuck to the filter intake. He was looking lethargic the day before, probably from too many nitrites, and I think that was what made it possible for him to get stuck. I had found an article on the web that talked about doing fishless cycling using fish food instead of ammonia: http://www.geocities.com/shtinkythefish/basic.htm so I've been "feeding" my tank once or twice a day the last two days.

Today I finally received my testing kit and when I tested both ammonia and nitrites it said they are at 0! I didn't expect that. I can't yet test for nitrates, but this must mean that my bio filter is working to some degree, as it has cleaned up after Elmo, right?

So, do I need to get another fish or do I continue to feed the tank for another week or two? I don't have access to the ammonia needed for chemical cycling...

I just didn't expect to see NO ammonia or nitrites, so I'm kind of confused.

04-19-2005, 06:49 PM	#1
Magdelaine Persistant Gurgler Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Mojave Desert Age: 38 Posts: 154	Cycling a tank I am currently on day 12 of cycling a new 10 gallon tank. Most of what I went through with my goldfish is here: http://www.fishforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2164. Well on Sunday morning I noticed Elmo had died having gotten stuck to the filter intake. He was looking lethargic the day before, probably from too many nitrites, and I think that was what made it possible for him to get stuck. I had found an article on the web that talked about doing fishless cycling using fish food instead of ammonia: http://www.geocities.com/shtinkythefish/basic.htm so I've been "feeding" my tank once or twice a day the last two days. Today I finally received my testing kit and when I tested both ammonia and nitrites it said they are at 0! I didn't expect that. I can't yet test for nitrates, but this must mean that my bio filter is working to some degree, as it has cleaned up after Elmo, right? So, do I need to get another fish or do I continue to feed the tank for another week or two? I don't have access to the ammonia needed for chemical cycling... I just didn't expect to see NO ammonia or nitrites, so I'm kind of confused.