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Ruan
31-08-2010, 09:42
Tested the little Nanos parameters last night for the first time.
The tank has only been running for about two weeks now and it seems that it has cycled.

I used mature filter media and substrate that I got from a friend, could this have helped the cycle to speed up, or should I get a second opinion on the parameters.
Everything is on 0 and the PH is at 7.6

I dont intend on getting fish anytime soon(the plants need to grow out first), but its just interesting that the tank cycled so soon. Could also be that the tank is just 11 liters.:bigsmile:
Vis
31-08-2010, 10:07
It is possible if you added some mature media.
It can also change extremely fast because it is only 11L
Ruan
31-08-2010, 10:12
It is possible if you added some mature media.
It can also change extremely fast because it is only 11L
I'll only be adding (a) fish at the end of September anyway. Was just curious as to why it cycled so fast. All my other tanks irrespective of size took about 6 weeks to cycle.
Vis
31-08-2010, 10:31
Mmmm, did you add something to start the cycle? Because I do not think your nitrates should read 0
Ruan
31-08-2010, 10:36
Mmmm, did you add something to start the cycle? Because I do not think your nitrates should read 0
The nitrates are not Zero.

What I meant was the Ammonia and Nitrites are Zero. Only mature media added was the filter media and the first layer of the substrate.
mydummyname
31-08-2010, 15:27
The nitrates are not Zero.

What I meant was the Ammonia and Nitrites are Zero. Only mature media added was the filter media and the first layer of the substrate.

the mature media and substrate probably did it. tanks cycle very fast when done that way. i bet you never even had a bacteria bloom?
Ruan
31-08-2010, 15:29
the mature media and substrate probably did it. tanks cycle very fast when done that way. i bet you never even had a bacteria bloom?
Bacteria bloom?
mydummyname
31-08-2010, 15:41
yep, the water goes all cloudy and smelly after about 3 days as your good bacteria tries to setup a colony.. but it doesnt always happen tho.
Ruan
31-08-2010, 15:46
yep, the water goes all cloudy and smelly after about 3 days as your good bacteria tries to setup a colony.. but it doesnt always happen tho.
Nope, water has been clear from day one.
Zoom
31-08-2010, 16:48
You may get a small ammonia spike if you put in 4 or 5 fish at once. But My 11litre nano also cycled pretty fast... and I didn't even use mature media
Rudi
31-08-2010, 18:40
If you only capped your substrate with mature media,you could be in for a surprise when you disturb the lower parts.It could be a long way of from being cycled.
Because of the slow water circulation through the substrate,the bacteria takes allot longer to colonize it and the terrestrial bacteria is still dying off slowly,releasing ammonia as they do so.

Rudi
Ruan
01-09-2010, 08:18
If you only capped your substrate with mature media,you could be in for a surprise when you disturb the lower parts.It could be a long way of from being cycled.
Because of the slow water circulation through the substrate,the bacteria takes allot longer to colonize it and the terrestrial bacteria is still dying off slowly,releasing ammonia as they do so.

Rudi
The very bottom layer is mature media, then ferts, then sterile playpen sand.
I'll see how it pans out.