3 Gallon Aquarium Cycled -- Now What?

[Orchidlover]

Woooo hoooo! My 3 gal Eclipse finally cycled after a month and a half! Just had to share with those that would understand!

But now what? 25% water change twice a week? How often do I test the water?

Thanks!

[dramaqueen]

It depends on your parameters as far as how much and how often to change the water.

[Orchidlover]

Thanks for getting back to me, dramaqueen! The parameters are the following:

PH - 7.6
GH - 100
KH - 60
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrates 20

[MBilyeu]

Once your nitrItes are gone your tank is fully cycled, but it looks like you are very close! Every aquaruim is different, but goal is to change out the water so that by the next water change your nitrAte levels should be between 20ppm and 40ppm. The lower the better. If you did a fishless cycle, I would change 25% of the water, then add your first few fish and monitor every 2-3 days. If the level ever gets over 30ppm then it is time for a water change of about 10-15%. You have to play around with it, but the goal is to not do more than one water change per week, and at the same time, never have to do more than 25% change at once. Remember everytime you add fish, you are going to have to monitor closely to make sure that your bacteria is keeping up with the new bio-load.

[Orchidlover]

Thanks for the info! I didn't do a fishless cycle. I jumped right in not knowing what I was doing. Took a look at this forum and starting hearing things about cycling. Read up on it and here we are today.

I have a betta and two dwarf cories and they seem to have done well through the process. I'll continue to check the parameters.

[dramaqueen]

It would be nice if there was a book called Cycling for Dummies so I would understand what GH and KH means. lol

[Orchidlover]

OHHHHH . . . you and me, both!!!!!

[dramaqueen]

Well, I've decided to go monday to Petsmart and look for a book about aquariums and cycling. I want to be able to answer people's questions accurately.

[MBilyeu]

KH is a measurement of alkiline in the water. This doesn't mean pH, but it directly relates. GH means General Hardness, which measure the magnesium and calcium in the water. Your GH and KH shouldn't have to mean too much for a tank with a betta and a couple corys, but they are useful if you are going to try to change your pH for some reason, or plant your tank.

[dramaqueen]

MBilyeu, are alkalinity and ph like opposite of each other?