Broken My Fishless Cycle?!

[Gr44]

I was only planning on getting 12 x X-Ray or Glowlight tetras tomorrow, nothing more.

No plants, yet.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[plecostomus-mad]

**the majority of the bacteria colonize in the filter, because the media has such a vast surface area.**

i agree with that statement

**you'd be surprised how much bacteria colonize gravel, decor etc. it would have had a massive effect.**

from what i have been told, and researched, yes it holds bacteria but not enough so it will cause major issues if any.

**be patient and wait until the tank has cycled, it'll be worth it.**

^ agreed.

http/www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91496

above link maybe a interesting read for you

they do mention a ** handful of gravel ** put in a cup or tied in some tights/pantyhose.this would imo have little effect....

 

[fatheadminnow]

Okay folks, I did not read the last couple posts, but from what I gathered I believe I can be of some help here.

First off, the bacteria will colonize faster at warmer temps, to a point. There is a limit to this, but the temps you had would not kill off any of the bacteria.

Also, about 99% of the bacteria colonize in the filter, while the rest colonize else where in the tank. There is not going to be a really significant amount of bacteria growth on the substrate because you are not running a UGF (under gravel filter). So, changing the substrate would have little to no effect on the biological filtration.

One thing that probably caused the spike was the 100% water change. When you do a 100% water change and add the water back to the tank, for some reason which I am unaware of, the bacteria seem to go into a dormant state. I have also experienced this first hand. So, if this did happen, which it most likely did, it would take a couple days, 4 days in my instance, for the bacteria to once again restart production on ammonia.

The best thing to do right now is just treat it like a fishless cycle, adding ammonia like you have done in the past, and all should be good within a couple days, week tops.

EDIT: The reason why the filter holds the most bacteria is because this is where there is the greatest water movement within the tank. The more water movement in one spot is going to yield the greatest growth in bacteria because they are constantly getting an ammonia source.

-FHM

 

[grumpysteve]

this makes an interesting read......

http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/biofilm/devbio.shtml

whoever is wrong or right, surely it would be better to take my opinion on board, and maybe be over cautious, than to disregard it and possibly be wrong?

 

[plecostomus-mad]

hmmm...............

 

[Gr44]

Sounds crazy to me FHM but I hope you're right!!

My filter is processing some as I have a very high Nitrite reading, but just not as quickly.... You don't think this has anything to do with the extra filter messing up the flow though (did you see my tank picture?)

I'll check it again in 2 hours and post the results back here - that will be 24 hours (ish) since I added the ammonia.

Thanks FHM

Steve,

Ta but I'd like to get the whole group in one go...

 

[plecostomus-mad]

.

 

[grumpysteve]

.

 

[fatheadminnow]

how long have you been keeping tropical fish?

Completely besides the point.

The second filter would have no negative effect at all. As time goes one it will actually help out. I used to run 2 filters in my tanks as well.

-FHM

 

[Gr44]

lol Pleco-Mad...

It's totally un-acceptable.... now send me some bacteria post-haste!!

Steve,

Does it really matter how long he's been keeping fish for? Let's just call it a differance of opinion. I must admit though, from what I've seen in my limited time of keeping an empty tank I'd side with Plec-Mad...

 

[plecostomus-mad]

.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Lets get back on topic here guys!

-FHM

 

[plecostomus-mad]

Lets get back on topic here guys!

-FHM

i agree

 

[grumpysteve]

.

 

[plecostomus-mad]

sorry FHM. i still stand by my theory as being correct. i'm not here to start arguements, and i wasn't saying theres a substantial amount of bacteria colonizing in the gravel alone, just that with that level of cleaning it would have effected the tank.

sean, sorry about this. i hope the cycle goes well, and as i and FHM have said, the cycle will be over in a few days.

plecostomus-mad, i merely made a point, which you disagreed with. you are entitled to your opinion, but as you are relatively new to fish keeping surely you should have taken this on board rather than starting a petty, childish arguement? my comment was a low blow, but to point out that arguing with someone with more experience doesn't win any battles. its like arguing that 2+2 doesn't =4, with your maths teacher. i'm sure when you set up a bigger tank and start doing indepth research you'll realise how many different opinions and contradictory articles there are out there

i was merely suggesting that there wasn't *enough* bacteria in the substrate or ornaments to affect a complete change by much at all. the *low blow* you severed sparked me to prove my point further. yes im fairly new to this hobby, i realize there IS a lot of misleading info spread around the net but i did research it, and it was all very founded. i wasn't looking for an argument, petty or otherwise.

i thought as ive been receiving FREE help by this forum, id help out a little and share what i myself have learn't.

if i offended you in anyway, i send my apologies to you.

gr44, keep us updated buddy