Cycling tank...HELP!

[karen]

Just reading up on cycling and am a bit concerned....does this mean I can't put my newts in their tank for a few weeks or months??? Even with the live plants, what is the minimum time I can wait? I did purchase a water testing kit (for pH, ammonia, nitates, nitrites), if that helps.

 

[edward]

Cycling can be as short as a couple of weeks or take more than two months but the typical time frame is around 30 days. Using the test kit will help determine when the cycling has been completed.
see http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

You can place the newts in the tank but will need to be extra viligent about monitoring the water quality, not overfeeding and performing the needed water changes to prevent the levels of ammonia, and nitrite from becoming toxic. Even if they do not reach toxic levels, there may be enough stress on the newt to cause it to leave the water or even stop feeding which is why it is typically recommended to not place the animal into the tank until after it has been cycled.

Ed

(Message edited by Ed on January 01, 2006)