laurenb252
New Member
Hi all,
I’m currently cycling a 30L nano tank that will be for a home for a Betta. The filter in the tank has media from an established tank, and has been cycling for two weeks. The tank isn’t currently planted, just substrate (Fluval Stratum), filter, heater and the hardscape only. Plants are on the way however and should be in the tank within the next few days. I’ve been using Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride as an ammonia source.
The whole process has been quite quick, I’ve had ammonia and nitrite spikes with nitrates appearing in the tank. I read on the Dr Tims website that when the tank is dosed with 2ppm ammonia and the ammonia and nitrite levels are reading 0, 24 hours later, then the tank is cycled.
The ammonia drops to 0 in 24 hours, but the nitrite takes 48 hours to drop. Is this normal? My plan was to get the Betta on Sunday as I’ve currently got him reserved at my LFS, but I just want to know that the water chemistry is perfect for him first. Would it be ok to add a Betta later this week? I’m assuming that only having 1 fish plus a densely planted aquarium should result in ammonia levels under 2ppm anyway.
If anyone has any advice, I’d appreciate hearing it.
Thanks,
Lauren
I’m currently cycling a 30L nano tank that will be for a home for a Betta. The filter in the tank has media from an established tank, and has been cycling for two weeks. The tank isn’t currently planted, just substrate (Fluval Stratum), filter, heater and the hardscape only. Plants are on the way however and should be in the tank within the next few days. I’ve been using Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride as an ammonia source.
The whole process has been quite quick, I’ve had ammonia and nitrite spikes with nitrates appearing in the tank. I read on the Dr Tims website that when the tank is dosed with 2ppm ammonia and the ammonia and nitrite levels are reading 0, 24 hours later, then the tank is cycled.
The ammonia drops to 0 in 24 hours, but the nitrite takes 48 hours to drop. Is this normal? My plan was to get the Betta on Sunday as I’ve currently got him reserved at my LFS, but I just want to know that the water chemistry is perfect for him first. Would it be ok to add a Betta later this week? I’m assuming that only having 1 fish plus a densely planted aquarium should result in ammonia levels under 2ppm anyway.
If anyone has any advice, I’d appreciate hearing it.
Thanks,
Lauren