Home

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Your Thoughts On My Fishless Cycle
studmaster
post Feb 1 2008, 01:14 AM
Post #1


Newbie
Group Icon

Group: Members
Posts: 24
Joined: 15-April 06
Member No.: 20614



Okay, here are my details....I need your opinions

50gal aquarium I bought second hand. It came with an Eheim Classic 2217 filter that had tank water in it for about a week or two, but no flow through. I filled it up and began my fishless cycle. I took out the sponge media from a small hanging filter from another tank and stuck it to the end of the eheim intake so that all water would go through the bacteria filled sponge first.

Day 1 - added 5ppm Ammonia
Day 2 - tested for Ammonia, still 5ppm
Day 3 - tested for Ammonia, down to roughly 1ppm, added more to get back to 5ppm
Day 4 - tested for Ammonia, down to roughly 1ppm, added more to get back to 5ppm
Day 5 - tested for Ammonia, down to roughly 1ppm, added more to get back to 5ppm, tested for nitrite (0ppm)
Day 6 - tested for ammonia, down to roughly .5ppm, tested for nitrite (once again 0ppm), tested for nitrate (off the scales....160ppm+)

Why no Nitrites at all? Do you think the filter could have still had some of that bacteria alive in it after two weeks of just sitting there? Maybe my Nitrite test bottle is getting too old (2-3years).

Any ideas? It would be sweet if the cycle was almost finished already after 6 days. I imagine the ammonia would be down to 0 in the next few hours.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Mikaila31
post Feb 1 2008, 01:59 AM
Post #2


Leader of the Fishes
Group Icon

Group: Members
Posts: 1503
Joined: 30-August 05
From: Hudson, Wisconsin USA
Member No.: 15598



What kind of test kit are you using?

Seeding the tank definetly helps and will shorten your cycling time. The more mature filter material you add the quicker your tank will cycle. You should of been seeing nitrite a while ago. How much nitrate is in your tap water?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
rdd1952
post Feb 1 2008, 03:14 AM
Post #3


www.callbobforhomes.com
Group Icon

Group: Moderators
Posts: 7142
Joined: 19-January 05
From: Mt. Holly, NC
Member No.: 11229



It certainly sounds as if the seed media worked. I would suggest a large water change to get the nitrate down and then add ammonia again to make sure it is processing properly. If it disappears quickly again with no sign of nitrite but the nitrate goes up then I'd say you are good to go.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
studmaster
post Feb 1 2008, 01:22 PM
Post #4


Newbie
Group Icon

Group: Members
Posts: 24
Joined: 15-April 06
Member No.: 20614



QUOTE (rdd1952 @ Jan 31 2008, 10:14 PM) *
It certainly sounds as if the seed media worked. I would suggest a large water change to get the nitrate down and then add ammonia again to make sure it is processing properly. If it disappears quickly again with no sign of nitrite but the nitrate goes up then I'd say you are good to go.



I tested last night about 3 hours after my post and yep the ammonia is down to 0, so are the nitrites. So I guess its safe to assume that the Eheim filter that had water sitting in it for a couple weeks somehow kept some of the bacteria alive.

To answer the other questions from Mikaila31, the nitrates in my water are 20ppm usually. And I'm using an API liquid test kit.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Miss Wiggle
post Feb 1 2008, 01:25 PM
Post #5


Practically perfect in every way
Group Icon

Group: Members
Posts: 10560
Joined: 24-March 06
From: Leeds
Member No.: 20065



sounds like it's cycled, stick with it for a couple of days more, adding your 5ppm ammonia daily. if you've still no nitrite after the weekend then you can be pretty safe that you are good to go
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

Collapse

> Similar Topics

  Topic Replies Topic Starter Views Last Action
No New Posts your thoughts on my nimbochromis venustus
and tips for an agrisive tank
3 vantgE 175 15th May 2004 - 02:05 PM
Last post by: thecichlidaddict
No New Posts Your Thoughts On My Stocking Scheme
2 Walker Anderson 47 26th April 2006 - 03:45 PM
Last post by: Walker Anderson
No New Posts I Have Given Up On My Fishless Cycle ... Enough Is Enough.
8 Lord Zogat 285 23rd November 2006 - 07:45 PM
Last post by: DarkEntity
No new Can I Have Some Reassurance On My Fishless Cycle Please
Day 36 - ALL DONE!!!!!!!!!!
43 sneezy 522 10th June 2008 - 12:14 PM
Last post by: rabbut
No new Homebase Ammonia Didn't Work For My Fishless Cycle
36 s75658 699 18th July 2008 - 05:23 PM
Last post by: doresy


 

RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 22nd August 2008 - 02:14 AM