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I've been somewhat obsessed for the past week with Capt. Spaulding's new aquarium...

Here's where I stand, suggestions are VERY welcome!

40G tank, 25G water, lighting (UV & heat), ZooMed canister filter (511 - TC32), basking platform (he just started using it a lot, I raised the water level and I think that helped), submersible heater (78 degrees), large river rock bed, plenty of artificial plants for hiding and playing in.

I added some friends this week - two little goldfish (Dolly and Bert) three snails (Charlie Altamont, Clevon and Gary) and a Pleco (Rondo). My girlfriend insists everyone have a name.

I also bought a test kit (API freshwater Master Kit) to observe the cycling process. I'm logging my results and feeling my way through. I've done two water changes (40%) one with a good vacuum of the gravel (I was overfeeding) this week, and have two test results.

6/24
Ammonia: 1.0ppm
Nitrite: 2-5ppm
Nitrate: 0
pH: 7.9

6/25 (after water change and vacuum, and allowed to filter for several hours)
Ammonia: 0.5
Nitrite: 2
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.2

Tap water pH: 8.4+

The Captain seems healthy and VERY happy.

Sounds pretty good so far. I'd increase the water level if it's safe to do so.

Water changes during the initial cycle will just elongate the process.

Good point, VeipaCray, I read that after I did the last change - it makes sense.

I took another test yesterday

Ammonia: <0.25
pH: 7.8-8.0
Nitrite: 5.0+
Nitrate: 5.0

I guess this is the "nitrite spike"

After the test I added about 5G of water to bring the total to 30G (3/4 full). I had to rig a thing for my light to sit higher- it was just resting on the screen, but I think it was too close when I raised the level. I have a laser thermometer on the way from amazon to test the temps.

Considering I've had the tank for about a week and a half, is this too fast, or about on schedule?

The spike is interesting. How's the water clarity?

It was cloudyish (and stinky) for about a week, and it's cleared up now.

I also lost two fish, not sure I can blame that on the water conditions or not. One of the goldfish died, but I don't think he was eating. My pleco died to, but I found him under a rock, almost like he got stuck. I still have one goldfish doing fine and three snails.

They don't eat because of the pain caused due to their gills burning from the Ammonia and Nitrite. Hiding under a rock or in a plant is normal for a fish in its final stages. They go for protection from other fish and to be left alone.

The nitrite spike is normal. Ammonia spikes first until the nitrosomonas establish. The waste product of nitrosomona is nitrite which will be your second spike until the nitrobacter establish. The byproduct of nitrobacter is nitrate which is less toxic than nitrite at the same concentration. Nitrate is removed in a aquarium through water changes. And there you have the nitrogen cycle or as much of it as we need to care about in the turtle / aquarium hobby.