Qt tank

[Flame Hawkfish]

Hi everyone,


I have been cycling the tank for about a month and the level are Ammonia .25 Nitrite .25 and NitrAte .25, What does this mean.
Does it mean that the cycle is all over. All comments help.



Thanks,
Flame Hawkfish

 

[Squishie89]

If you have ammonia and/or nitrites the cycle is not over. What did you use to start the cycle and what filtration do you have? Any rock or sand?

 

[Flame Hawkfish]

If you have ammonia and/or nitrites the cycle is not over. What did you use to start the cycle and what filtration do you have? Any rock or sand?

I started the Cycle with fish food, have an HOB filter and have a half a cup of sand.

 

[Squishie89]

What is in the filter? One of the problems with QTs (not yours specifically) is the beneficial bacteria has little to no where to latch onto (because most QT are kept with no sand or rock), so the cycle could take a LONG time. I would add one of the cycle products to help get it going a bit faster. Make sure you have sponges in your HOB for the bacteria to latch onto.

 

[Flame Hawkfish]

I have a carbon pad in my HOB filter, but i do have PVC pipe in the Qt tank if that helps.

 

[Squishie89]

PVC is not very porous (one of the reasons we use it!).

 

[Flame Hawkfish]

My Nitrites are now at 2.0 ppm ammonia at .25 and nitrAte at .25. Does this mean the cycle is almost over?