Anyone Starting Out?

[HayzH]

My tank came with one of those sticker thermometers but it only goes up to 30 degrees. I'm glad I joined these forums, I've learnt alot in the 7 hours since I joined

They are as close to useless as you can get sorry, you can breath on them and they will change lol

i have an Interpet Delta Therm 100W...it has a dial on it, and the light goes out when its reached the right temp...there is a sticky one on the tank too which is 2deg hotter than the heater setting.

 

[Miles_hot]

I've only just ordered my test kit tonight, so I don't even know what pH I've got so I can start looking at fish! Sucks because my original plan was to get some neons, then by the time I'd figured out what I wanted next, enough time would've passed for it to be safe to add more. This way I'll probably know exactly what I want by the end of the cycle then I'll have difficulty holding myself back!

I've read the sticky on fishless cycling, but I'm a bit confused. It recommends that you keep adding ammonia during the nitrite phase i.e. when ammonia goes down to 0, add more to get it up to 3-4ppm. I don't get how you're supposed to know if the nitrite bacteria are working if you keep adding ammonia? Like, how will the nitrite ever go if you're continually adding ammonia?

Remember that there are two colonies of bacteria - the A-bacs feed in ammonia and produce nitrite. The N-bacs feed on the nitrite and produce nitrate. Thus by feeding the A-bacs you ate feeding the N-bacs. The N-bacs take longer to establish and also are a bit sensitive to the level of nitrite which is why in the second stage if the cycle you cut down on the ammonia going into the system to avoid overwhelming then. Once they're up to dosed you ramp the ammonia level back up to 4-5ppm
Hth
Miles.

My tank came with one of those sticker thermometers but it only goes up to 30 degrees. I'm glad I joined these forums, I've learnt alot in the 7 hours since I joined

They are as close to useless as you can get sorry, you can breath on them and they will change lol

i have an Interpet Delta Therm 100W...it has a dial on it, and the light goes out when its reached the right temp...there is a sticky one on the tank too which is 2deg hotter than the heater setting.

Trust the thermometer before you trust the dial on the heaters I prefer the glass thermometer which suckers to the glass as I think that they're probably more accurate and I find them easier to read than the led type.

 

[HayzH]

I've only just ordered my test kit tonight, so I don't even know what pH I've got so I can start looking at fish! Sucks because my original plan was to get some neons, then by the time I'd figured out what I wanted next, enough time would've passed for it to be safe to add more. This way I'll probably know exactly what I want by the end of the cycle then I'll have difficulty holding myself back!

I've read the sticky on fishless cycling, but I'm a bit confused. It recommends that you keep adding ammonia during the nitrite phase i.e. when ammonia goes down to 0, add more to get it up to 3-4ppm. I don't get how you're supposed to know if the nitrite bacteria are working if you keep adding ammonia? Like, how will the nitrite ever go if you're continually adding ammonia?

Remember that there are two colonies of bacteria - the A-bacs feed in ammonia and produce nitrite. The N-bacs feed on the nitrite and produce nitrate. Thus by feeding the A-bacs you ate feeding the N-bacs. The N-bacs take longer to establish and also are a bit sensitive to the level of nitrite which is why in the second stage if the cycle you cut down on the ammonia going into the system to avoid overwhelming then. Once they're up to dosed you ramp the ammonia level back up to 4-5ppm
Hth
Miles.

My tank came with one of those sticker thermometers but it only goes up to 30 degrees. I'm glad I joined these forums, I've learnt alot in the 7 hours since I joined

They are as close to useless as you can get sorry, you can breath on them and they will change lol

i have an Interpet Delta Therm 100W...it has a dial on it, and the light goes out when its reached the right temp...there is a sticky one on the tank too which is 2deg hotter than the heater setting.

Trust the thermometer before you trust the dial on the heaters I prefer the glass thermometer which suckers to the glass as I think that they're probably more accurate and I find them easier to read than the led type.

i bought one of these today to measure the temp of the water i put in for water changes?!

 

[CezzaXV]

Right now my tank is just an empty glass shell sitting in the corner, only half full of water (I didnt intend on conditioning it or anything, just thought while I'm waiting for stuff to arrive I'd see what it looks like with water in and make sure it's watertight). Next week, when I have plants and gravel and ornaments, I shall put up a pic

 

[HayzH]

Right now my tank is just an empty glass shell sitting in the corner, only half full of water (I didnt intend on conditioning it or anything, just thought while I'm waiting for stuff to arrive I'd see what it looks like with water in and make sure it's watertight). Next week, when I have plants and gravel and ornaments, I shall put up a pic

i meant a pic of the heater!

 

[Branwyn]

I am fully blind so i have to get thermometers with audio alerts. so you set to desired setting and if it drops it gives a singular beep and if too high a double beep and then will stop once the temp has been corrected. also found similar audio devices to help with water changes etc. also have audio alert for tank levels and reminders for changes etc if PH differs surprising what you can find out there when you look for something specific

 

[HayzH]

I am fully blind so i have to get thermometers with audio alerts. so you set to desired setting and if it drops it gives a singular beep and if too high a double beep and then will stop once the temp has been corrected. also found similar audio devices to help with water changes etc. also have audio alert for tank levels and reminders for changes etc if PH differs surprising what you can find out there when you look for something specific

oh wow...well there you go!

 

[Clarousel]

Great to hear how everyone's tanks are cycling I wish I knew about these when I started my first tank!

Just wondering, does the 4ppm of ammonia/nitrites going down in 12 hours 5 days straight apply for fish-in cycling? My test kits haven't arrived so I'm still kinda "blind" regarding my water quality.

 

[Overload]

Great to hear how everyone's tanks are cycling I wish I knew about these when I started my first tank!

Just wondering, does the 4ppm of ammonia/nitrites going down in 12 hours 5 days straight apply for fish-in cycling? My test kits haven't arrived so I'm still kinda "blind" regarding my water quality.

I don't think so, mostly because with a fish in cycle you should not be adding ammonia to the tank. From what I can tell a fish-in cycle is complete when you can cut your water changes back to normal maintenance levels and the ammonia and nitrite stay well below 0.25ppm at all times.

 

[Overload]

I've only just ordered my test kit tonight, so I don't even know what pH I've got so I can start looking at fish! Sucks because my original plan was to get some neons, then by the time I'd figured out what I wanted next, enough time would've passed for it to be safe to add more. This way I'll probably know exactly what I want by the end of the cycle then I'll have difficulty holding myself back!

I've read the sticky on fishless cycling, but I'm a bit confused. It recommends that you keep adding ammonia during the nitrite phase i.e. when ammonia goes down to 0, add more to get it up to 3-4ppm. I don't get how you're supposed to know if the nitrite bacteria are working if you keep adding ammonia? Like, how will the nitrite ever go if you're continually adding ammonia?

Remember that there are two colonies of bacteria - the A-bacs feed in ammonia and produce nitrite. The N-bacs feed on the nitrite and produce nitrate. Thus by feeding the A-bacs you ate feeding the N-bacs. The N-bacs take longer to establish and also are a bit sensitive to the level of nitrite which is why in the second stage if the cycle you cut down on the ammonia going into the system to avoid overwhelming then. Once they're up to dosed you ramp the ammonia level back up to 4-5ppm
Hth
Miles.

My tank came with one of those sticker thermometers but it only goes up to 30 degrees. I'm glad I joined these forums, I've learnt alot in the 7 hours since I joined

They are as close to useless as you can get sorry, you can breath on them and they will change lol

i have an Interpet Delta Therm 100W...it has a dial on it, and the light goes out when its reached the right temp...there is a sticky one on the tank too which is 2deg hotter than the heater setting.

Trust the thermometer before you trust the dial on the heaters I prefer the glass thermometer which suckers to the glass as I think that they're probably more accurate and I find them easier to read than the led type.

i bought one of these today to measure the temp of the water i put in for water changes?!

I think a couple of glass thermometers would be a good idea, one in the tank and one for checking water before it goes in.

My heater is set to 30C but the glass one is saying 31C close enough I am not worrying

 

[Branwyn]

ok first readings since having the corys are

left tank (210L)
PH 7.0
ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 0ppm

right tank (210L)
PH 7.0
ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 0ppm

oh & no deaths

 

[Overload]

ok first readings since having the corys are

left tank (210L)
PH 7.0
ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 0ppm

right tank (210L)
PH 7.0
ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 0ppm

oh & no deaths

Sounds like water change time on both (this is why fish-in cycling is an #14### ache) 0.25ppm is the point for ammonia (and nitrite) when you start damaging the fish

 

[Branwyn]

yes was planning a water change this afternoon but thought i would post before results first . would a 25% or 50% water change be best?

 

[Overload]

yes was planning a water change this afternoon but thought i would post before results first . would a 25% or 50% water change be best?

I would go with a 50%, but I am sure someone will more experience will give you better advice

 

[Clarousel]

Would go with 50% too.