Here we go...first 30gal planted tank

[Complexity]

I'm sorry to hear that, but I definitely understand. It's not just the expense, but also the time requirements. Planted tanks require more time to maintain than any other type of tank.

Too bad you had to let it go, though. You finally got through the most difficult part, and the real fun was just around the corner. Maybe you can try again some day.

[kevinly]

So what happened? :(

School just started and some unexpected expenses came up. I had to borrow money to pay for classes and books, so I made the hard choice of shutting down this tank, even though I just had it up for a month.

[Mzungu]

So what happened? :(

[Complexity]

This is fantastic! Keep testing daily, and you should see the ammonia and nitrites drop off to 0ppm each while the nitrates continue to rise. Then perform water changes to keep the nitrates in check.

Once your ammonia and nitrites reach 0ppm, you can finally put your molly back in the tank.

If you continue to test the nitrates each day, you'll start to get a feel for how quickly they rise. That will tell you how often to change the water and how much to change. Weekly 50% water changes should work well, but testing the water will confirm this to be sure.

It looks like you're over the worst part finally. Congratulations and enjoy!

[Mzungu]

Great news! :)

[kevinly]

I haven't updated in awhile but, here goes:

Ammonia is at 1.0ppm
Nitrite is at .50ppm
Nitrate is around 5.0ppm and under

So I have finally been able to detect nitrite in my tank. So that should mean my tank will be fully cycled in a few days.

[Complexity]

With ammonia at 2.0, you could do a 50% water change to bring it to 1.0. Then leave it there. You need ammonia in the tank for it to cycle. And without any fish in the tank, you can allow the ammonia to raise higher than you could if fish were in the tank.

Once you see the first nitrites show up, it will then be a matter of days for the tank to cycle. I would think by seeding it with bacteria from the sponge filter should help move things along.

Thanks for the reports of the water parameter readings. I think I'm almost as anxious for your tank to cycle as you are!

[kevinly]

Cyno has cleared which is a relief.

However, ammonia is still pretty high, about 2.0ppm. I have no levels of nitrites or nitrates.

Guess I gotta keep up with my water changes to keep the ammonia levels down for the tank to fully cycle.

I even got some bacteria from a sponge filter and added it to my tank to help cycle quicker.

It's only a matter of days before my tank is fully cycled.

[Complexity]

Why are you doing water changes in a cycling tank with no fish?

Mark, he was getting cyno which is due to poor water quality. So he needs to do some water changes, just not nearly as many as he would have to do if the molly was still in the tank.

Kevinly, your test readings indicate that the tank has not cycled yet. As I mentioned to Mark, since you were getting cyno, that would indicate the water quality was getting too poor. So water changes would be in order in that case.

There's a lot of leeway you can take when there aren't any fish in the tank. What I'd probably do is test the water every morning, and if the ammonia is above 1.0, do a 50% water change. This is to keep the water in good shape to prevent things such as cyno.

By testing the ammonia every morning, you should begin to get a feel for how much ammonia the tank is producing each day. When you see the ammonia production drop off, test for nitrites and nitrates. If you get any reading on nitrites or nitrates, begin testing all 3 parameters each morning. The time from which you first see nitrites to the time the tank is fully cycled could be only a matter of days so you can literally watch the tank cycle right before your eyes. The nitrites will show up, then quickly climb very high, and then nitrates will appear. As this happens, your ammonia will decrease. And then your nitrites will decrease. In a week or less, you'll have 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrites and a varying amount of nitrates. Do water changes to keep the nitrates in check. This is when your molly can come back to the tank.

Keep us posted on the test results!

[wesleydnunder]

Why are you doing water changes in a cycling tank with no fish? Glad you got the molly out.

Mark

[kevinly]

For how long are you keeping the lights on each day?

Are your lights on a timer?

Lights and co2 are on for 12 hours a day on a timer.

[Mzungu]

For how long are you keeping the lights on each day?

The plants will help with the ammonia until the bacteria that converts it to nitrite and then nitrate appear. However, the plants need light to grow and use the ammonia. I would just keep up with your routine water changes. Since there are no fish yet, you don't need to up the water changes. Just keep with what you're doing now.

This doesn't mean it's ready for fish, though. Once you get zero ammonia AND zero nitrite, it's cycled and you can add fish.

Glad you finally got your test kit! :)

Are your lights on a timer?

[kevinly]

Okay finally got my test kit. Here are my results:

Ammonia = Approximately 3.0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 0ppm

So I'm thinking I need to do more waterchanges till ammonia is down to zero.

Water is clear now, but a little yellow still.

[Complexity]

Guys just came home from work and the water is finally clear!!!

Yup, right on time! Remember my earlier prediction?

I will take a stab and say you should have clear water by this weekend.

Just what I thought! I also think you'll find things will turn around this next week with the tank cycling and finally being ready for your molly. Just a little more patience, and you should be through the worst of it.

However, stupid test kit not in yet, so can't throughly check the water parameters.

Let's hope it comes in on Monday. But as long as there are no fish in the tank, it's not critical. It can wait a day or two more.

Keep up with your water changes.

[kevinly]

Guys just came home from work and the water is finally clear!!!

However, stupid test kit not in yet, so can't throughly check the water parameters.