Lillybell
Community Member
Hello! I am trying to cycle my 29 gallon freshwater tank. I think I am at the very least almost there. I had a very rocky start because I was making stupid mistakes.
The first day, I filled up the tank with a bucket, but was very impatient. I put the bucket in the shower and turned it all the way up. It has one handle! I had zero idea of just how hot this was making the tank until I saw the thermometer! The problem? Well, I had already added the bacteria from Dr. Tim's One and Only, plus the ammonia.
I read the temperature out loud and my friend said at that heat I probably killed all the bacteria and would have to get another bottle. So, I did.
Here's all of my records from my water checks.
4/4/25: PH: 7.6
Nitrate and Nitrite:0
Ammonia: 0.50-1ppm ( I was still learning to read the colors. It's hard to tell sometimes when they are so close).
4/10/25: Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 10-20
Nitrite: 2-5
4/11/25 Ammonia: 0
Nitrate and Nitrite: 5
PH: 7.6
4/14/25: PH: 7.6
I decided to test the high range PH just to be sure: 7.4
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0
This was my second mess up. I thought my tank was cycled here. So, I did the water change and added Eco-balance. Then, I was told the tank was not cycled. So, I added more ammonia, hoping I didn't mess up the cycle and have to get yet another bottle of Dr.Tim's.
4/15/25: Ammonia: 1
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 1
4/16/25: PH: 7.6
Ammonia:0
Nitrate and Nitrite: 5
4/17/25: Nitrite: .25
Nitrate:0
4/18/25:
PH: 7.6
Ammonia:0
Nitrate: 10
Nitrite: 5
4/20/25: PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
What do you all think, is the tank cycled or at least close to being cycled?
The first day, I filled up the tank with a bucket, but was very impatient. I put the bucket in the shower and turned it all the way up. It has one handle! I had zero idea of just how hot this was making the tank until I saw the thermometer! The problem? Well, I had already added the bacteria from Dr. Tim's One and Only, plus the ammonia.
I read the temperature out loud and my friend said at that heat I probably killed all the bacteria and would have to get another bottle. So, I did.Here's all of my records from my water checks.
4/4/25: PH: 7.6
Nitrate and Nitrite:0
Ammonia: 0.50-1ppm ( I was still learning to read the colors. It's hard to tell sometimes when they are so close).
4/10/25: Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 10-20
Nitrite: 2-5
4/11/25 Ammonia: 0
Nitrate and Nitrite: 5
PH: 7.6
4/14/25: PH: 7.6
I decided to test the high range PH just to be sure: 7.4
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0
This was my second mess up. I thought my tank was cycled here. So, I did the water change and added Eco-balance. Then, I was told the tank was not cycled. So, I added more ammonia, hoping I didn't mess up the cycle and have to get yet another bottle of Dr.Tim's.
4/15/25: Ammonia: 1
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 1
4/16/25: PH: 7.6
Ammonia:0
Nitrate and Nitrite: 5
4/17/25: Nitrite: .25
Nitrate:0
4/18/25:
PH: 7.6
Ammonia:0
Nitrate: 10
Nitrite: 5
4/20/25: PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
What do you all think, is the tank cycled or at least close to being cycled?
