Starting Fishless Cycle Thread

[anniekins]

I've started the fishless cycle and have my first query so far which I hope you can advise me on.The Ammonia reading has dropped to 0.25 tonight, do I have to wait until it reaches zero before adding more ammonia to bring it up to 4-5ppm or can I add it now? I have started a thread to help with any further queries I may have . Please feel free to comment any time as I am a complete newbie and have followed the pinned threads as much as poss so thanks for those again.Here are the details so far using the API Water Testing kit. I do find the colour charts difficult to match but have judged them as close as I can!
Tank AquaMode 600 65 litre capacity.
1x piece bogwood 1x rock 5x Anubais Plants
Fishless Cycle 'Add and Wait' Method. Measurements taken 24 hourly at present.
PH 7.6
Day 1
Ammonia 4-5ppm
PH 7.6
Day 2
Ammonia 4-5ppm
PH 7.6
Day 3
Ammonia 4-5ppm
PH 7.6
Day 4
Ammonia 2.0ppm
PH 7.6
Day 5
Ammonia 2.0
PH 7.6
Day 6
Ammonia 0.25
PH 7.6
Day 7
Ammonia 0
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm.
Day 8
PH 7.6
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 80
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 9
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 160
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 10
1st Reading
Ammonia 0.50ppm
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 40
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 11
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 40
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 12
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 40
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 13
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 5.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 14
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 15
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 16
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 17
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 80
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 18
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 19
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 20
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 20
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 40
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
PH 7.6
Amminia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 21
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 22
!st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 20
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 23
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 20
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 24
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 25
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 26
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 27
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 28
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 29
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 30
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 31
Ist Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 32
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Day 33
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0 (?)
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd reading
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Day 34
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 35
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0 ?
Nitrate 10
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 36
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0 ?
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 37
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 38
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 39
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 40
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.6
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 41
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 42
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50 Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 43
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50 Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.2
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 44
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.0
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.0
Ammonia raised to 4.oppm
Day 45
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 10
PH 7.0
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 7.0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 46
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5
PH 7.0
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 47
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite below 0.25, not at 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.0
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 48
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite below 0.25, not at 0
Nitrate 5
PH 6.8/7.0
2nd Reading
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 6.8/7.0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 49
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5
PH 6.8 /7.0
2nd Reading one hour later
Nitrite 0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 50
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5
PH 6.8
2nd Reading one hour later
Nitrite 0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 51
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0 / 0.25
Nitrate 5
PH 6.0
2nd Reading one hour later
Nitrite 0
Ammonia raised to 4.0ppm
Day 52
1st reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5
PH 6.6
2nd Reading one hour later
Nitrite 0
Day 53
!st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6
Day 54
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6
Day 55
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6
Day 56
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6
Day 57
1st Reading
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6

 

[waterdrop]

Hi annekins,

At the very beginning like that there are so very few bacterial cells that any measurable amount of ammonia is basically flooding them with food, so even though it feels strange doing nothing, its really better to just let it sit there another day or two if it takes that, until it gets to zero. It doesn't even matter that it sits at zero the better part of a 24-hour period before you happen to see it with your morning or evening test (or your daily test, since you reasonably might be doing only one a day at this point.) Also, don't let the precision of your readings of the color shades cause worry. What's important is to be steady and reliable on a daily basis, to continue to do your tests and to record them in your log and so forth. Eventually you will see that seeing trends in your numbers over days is the more powerful thing, and accurate logs are really good.

By the way, your presentation of your results in your post is quite good, better than most. Here's how I would improve them however: Right after the line where you tell us the tank model (...600) add the volume in liters/gallons. Right after the line "Fishless Cycle A&W method", add another line like "All measurements performed 12 hours after adding ammonia" (or if that's not the case, tell us, because when we look at your results that's one of the critical questions in our minds!)... otherwise great! Good that you are measuring and presenting pH, always keep that up so that a change won't sneak up on you.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[anniekins]

Hi annekins,

At the very beginning like that there are so very few bacterial cells that any measurable amount of ammonia is basically flooding them with food, so even though it feels strange doing nothing, its really better to just let it sit there another day or two if it takes that, until it gets to zero. It doesn't even matter that it sits at zero the better part of a 24-hour period before you happen to see it with your morning or evening test (or your daily test, since you reasonably might be doing only one a day at this point.) Also, don't let the precision of your readings of the color shades cause worry. What's important is to be steady and reliable on a daily basis, to continue to do your tests and to record them in your log and so forth. Eventually you will see that seeing trends in your numbers over days is the more powerful thing, and accurate logs are really good.

By the way, your presentation of your results in your post is quite good, better than most. Here's how I would improve them however: Right after the line where you tell us the tank model (...600) add the volume in liters/gallons. Right after the line "Fishless Cycle A&W method", add another line like "All measurements performed 12 hours after adding ammonia" (or if that's not the case, tell us, because when we look at your results that's one of the critical questions in our minds!)... otherwise great! Good that you are measuring and presenting pH, always keep that up so that a change won't sneak up on you.

~~waterdrop~~

Thanks Waterdrop. Have made the changes to the thread as you suggested and will now wait for the further drop in Ammonia!

 

[waterdrop]

Many people wait 2 weeks to see any drop in ammonia whatsoever, so the drops you are getting are quite good for such a few days!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[anniekins]

Many people wait 2 weeks to see any drop in ammonia whatsoever, so the drops you are getting are quite good for such a few days!

~~waterdrop~~

Great! Good start then.

 

[anniekins]

Many people wait 2 weeks to see any drop in ammonia whatsoever, so the drops you are getting are quite good for such a few days!

~~waterdrop~~

Great! Good start then.

Have added Ammonia up to 4.0ppm tonight. Do I now start to test for Nitrites every twelve hours from now on?

 

[waterdrop]

Its up to you. I'm the curious type, so I would, since its the second week and you are seeing ammonia drop. But if you are very frugal and want to save test drops, you could wait another week as you are probably not going to see that much over the next week. Its up to you.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[anniekins]

Its up to you. I'm the curious type, so I would, since its the second week and you are seeing ammonia drop. But if you are very frugal and want to save test drops, you could wait another week as you are probably not going to see that much over the next week. Its up to you.

~~waterdrop~~

Zero ammonia again today so I think I will test twice daily from tomorrow to record changes in stats.

 

[OldMan47]

I would not worry about testing ammonia twice a day until you see your nitrites start to drop. What would be the point? The ammonia processing will be gradually improving but you can't add any fish until the nitrites are dropping to zero anyway. If you are really curious, check it at 12 hours and then just top it back up at 24 hours. that way you will know if the 12 hour test is passing and if something stalls, you will see it suddenly not being as effective. I just can't bring myself to test very often when I don't expect to see changes, it's a personality thing for me.

 

[waterdrop]

I would not worry about testing ammonia twice a day until you see your nitrites start to drop. What would be the point? The ammonia processing will be gradually improving but you can't add any fish until the nitrites are dropping to zero anyway. If you are really curious, check it at 12 hours and then just top it back up at 24 hours. that way you will know if the 12 hour test is passing and if something stalls, you will see it suddenly not being as effective. I just can't bring myself to test very often when I don't expect to see changes, it's a personality thing for me.

I can see this.. you are very logical! One thing you've got to remember is that you have lots of tanks and fish to look at, lots of things perhaps to do with your tanks and the whole hobby now is probably pretty calm and organized for you, at least in your mind. My "Re-Beginner" year (this past year) is quite fresh in my mind and I was sitting there with an empty tank of water and a test kit and a bunch of people online telling me a bunch of crazy ideas that were nothing like what I historically thought they were. I decided it was d..m exciting to do the next test .. HaHa, just had to throw that perspective out there even though I now know you're exactly right of course!

~~waterdrop~~
edit: ps. anniekins, you look like you are having a super-fast fishless cycle, more like a mature-media-added type cycle!

 

[anniekins]

I would not worry about testing ammonia twice a day until you see your nitrites start to drop. What would be the point? The ammonia processing will be gradually improving but you can't add any fish until the nitrites are dropping to zero anyway. If you are really curious, check it at 12 hours and then just top it back up at 24 hours. that way you will know if the 12 hour test is passing and if something stalls, you will see it suddenly not being as effective. I just can't bring myself to test very often when I don't expect to see changes, it's a personality thing for me.

I can see this.. you are very logical! One thing you've got to remember is that you have lots of tanks and fish to look at, lots of things perhaps to do with your tanks and the whole hobby now is probably pretty calm and organized for you, at least in your mind. My "Re-Beginner" year (this past year) is quite fresh in my mind and I was sitting there with an empty tank of water and a test kit and a bunch of people online telling me a bunch of crazy ideas that were nothing like what I historically thought they were. I decided it was d..m exciting to do the next test .. HaHa, just had to throw that perspective out there even though I now know you're exactly right of course!

~~waterdrop~~
edit: ps. anniekins, you look like you are having a super-fast fishless cycle, more like a mature-media-added type cycle!

My thanks to you both for your views on 12 hour testing. It's nice to know experienced fish keepers are keeping an eye on the progress of my fishless cycle. To be honest I will continue with the twice a day testing so that I can record the outcomes, and hopefully, any problems will be noticed quickly by members who know and understand the cycling of a tank far more than I ever will. So thanks once again

 

[anniekins]

Have added today's readings as accurately as possible, however, I am finding it quite difficult to colour match the results of the nitrites and nitrates as there appears to be very little difference between some readings on the colour charts. I've done the best I can and hope the readings make sense.

 

[OldMan47]

I think you are right Annie. The nitrates are especially hard to discern at any particular value between 20 and 80 ppm. I see you chose 40 but would not be surprised if tomorrow's reading flies in the face of reason by going the wrong way by comparison. It is one of the reasons that people chart their results. If there is an oddball reading somewhere along the line, they can spot that and just ignore that particular reading as long as the overall shape of the curve makes sense. .

 

[anniekins]

As you say it is the overall pattern that counts. I will have other people around tomorrow so I will get their opinion on the readings too before I post them. I guess that's where the advantage of experience shows. As this is my first attempt at a fishless cycle I am probably overcautious and worrying about doing everything correctly. So thanks for your comments and it's good to know I'm not the only one finding the colour charts difficult to read.

 

[waterdrop]

It looks like your nitrite spike dropped for the first time on that last reading. That's good!

~~waterdrop~~