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Is there a way to tell that your tank is cycled without having a test kit?

429 views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  scootshoot 
#1 ·
Just wondering if there are any tell-tale signs that your tank is cycled without having a test kit.

Hmmm?
 
#3 ·
ok, and what does that look like?
i noticed a light filmy layer of build up along the inside glass of the tank when i was doing a water change today
 
#4 ·
If it's a light film, you can try taking a razor blade and guide it along. The film will become bunched up this way and you will be able to tell if it's really green algae.

Here is a link to cycling, note step 3. http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/information/CycleAquarium.php


The nitrification cycle is actually pretty simple. It can seem hard because of a couple terms that are not familiar in our everyday language. But basically this is a simple three-step process.
  1. Step One The first thing that happens when you put fish in the tank is ammonia is produced. This is from the fish waste or excess foods that are decomposing.
  2. Step Two As the amount of ammonia starts to increase, a bacteria forms called nitrosomonas. This bacteria begins to convert the ammonia into nitrite. As the ammonia is converted to nitrite, the amount of ammonia will begin to drop and now the nitrites will begin to rise. Soon your ammonia test will show no more ammonia in your tank. This usually happens within the first week and a half of a normal cycle. Nitrite is also very toxic to fish, though not as hazardous as ammonia.
  3. Step Three As the nitrite levels increase, another bacteria forms, called nitrobacter. This second bacteria begins to convert the nitrite into nitrate. As it is converted to nitrate, the amount of nitrite will drop and the nitrates will begin to rise. Soon your nitrite test will show no more nitrite in your tank. This happens between three to six weeks in a normal cycle. Nitrate is harmless to fish but is one of the nutrients that plants and algae need and is the final product produced in the nitrification cycle. One of the reasons that water changes are recommended is to keep nitrates at lower levels.
 
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