Cycle Diary... Finished @ Day 127!

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martinking

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
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Location
Chester, UK
Hiya All,

just wanted to post my results and see if it was all heading the right way...

Ok, so I have a 90Litre tank and I also have mature media for the filter. I made the mistake of putting the media in the filter and the filter in the tank before I put my dechlorinator in the tap water. So that may well have destroyed the bacteria on the filters. Either way its not going too bad! I got a new filter which is a Fluval 205.

I was using the Nutrafin Mini Master Liquid Test Kit and now im using the API test kit. Temperature is set at 30 Degrees currently.

Day 1 - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 0 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 2 - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 4.9 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 0
Day 3 - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 4.9 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 15
Day 4 - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 80
Day 5 - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 80 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 6 - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 7 - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 8 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110
Day 8 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110+ - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 9 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110+
Day 9 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110+ - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 10 am - pH 6.5 - Ammonia 7.3 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110+ (Looks like the low pH has caused a stand still)
Day 10 pm - pH 6.0 - 90% Water Change and 5ppm Ammonia Added
Day 11 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 80
Day 11 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 80 - 10ppm of Ammonia Added (doubled by accident) - Drunk!
Day 12 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 50
Day 12 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 0.1 - Nitrate 15 - No Ammonia Added tonight due to still being present
Day 13 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20
Day 13 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 15 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 14 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 7.3 - Didn't get a chance to test for anything else! This was only 8 Hours after the adding the ammonia.
Day 14 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 50
Day 15 am - pH 7 - Ammonia 1.2 - Didn't get a chance to test for anything else!
Day 15 pm - pH 6 - Ammonia 0.6 - Took dead plants out and 90% Water Change followed by recharge of 5ppm Ammonia
Day 16 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 35
Day 16 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 17 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 50
Day 17 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20 - How did this happen???
Day 18 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20
Day 18 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 19 am - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 0.8 - Nitrate 50
Day 19 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - Ammonia still present so none added
Day 20 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50
Day 20 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added and Another load of Mature Media - Thanks ChesterScot
Day 21 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110 - Well its definitely doing something!
Day 21 pm - pH 7.2 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 110 - Topped up to 5ppm Ammonia
Day 22 am - pH 6.0 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 22 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0.1 - Nitrate 20 - Topped up to 5ppm Ammonia and Teaspoon of Bicarb Added
Day 23 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 1.6 - Nitrate 110
Day 23 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.2 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - Topped up to 5ppm Ammonia and Added Bicarb to rise pH
Day 24 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0.8 - Nitrate 110
Day 24 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - Forgot to add Ammonia! Stupid!
Day 25 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50
Day 25 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 26 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 4.9 - No time to test for anything else
Day 26 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.8 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 27 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 27 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.3 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 28 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 28 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.1 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 29 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 29 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 50 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 30 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 4.9 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 30 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 0.8 - Nitrate 110 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 31 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 0.8 - Nitrate 110
Day 31 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 110 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 32 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110
Day 32 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.1 - Nitrate 110 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 33 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 3.3 - Nitrate 110 - New Filter installed with Existing Media
Day 33 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 3.3 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 34 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 3.3
Day 34 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 3.3 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 35 am - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 3.3
Day 35 pm - pH 7.5 - Ammonia 0.6 - Nitrite 3.3 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 36 am - pH 8.5 - Ammonia 4.9 - Nitrite 3.3
Day 36 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 3.3 - No Ammonia Added
Day 37 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1.2 - Nitrite 3.3
Day 37 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 38 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 2.4 - Nitrite 3.3
Day 38 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 3.3 - 5ppm of Ammonia Added
Day 39 am - pH 8.0 - No other Tests left!
Day 39 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 2.0 - Nitrite 5.0 - Nitrate 160 - Taken at 6pm
Day 39 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160 - Taken at 8pm - No Ammonia Added
Day 40 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 40 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 41 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 41 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 42 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 42 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 43 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 43 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 44 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 44 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 45 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 45 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - No Ammonia Added
Day 46 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 46 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20 - 90% Water Change + 4.5ml Ammonia Added
Day 47 am - pH 8.4 - Ammonia 8 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 20
Day 47 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 4 - Nitrite 5 - Nitrate 40
Day 48 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 4 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 40
Day 48 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 49 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 49 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 50 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 50 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 2ml Ammonia Added
Day 51 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80
Day 51 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 52 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80
Day 52 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 2ml Ammonia Added
Day 53 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80
Day 53 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 2 ml Ammonia Added
Day 54 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 1 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 54 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 2 ml Ammonia Added
Day 55 am - No Testing carried out
Day 55 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 2 ml Ammonia Added
Day 56 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 56 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 2.5 ml Ammonia Added
Day 57 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 57 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3 ml Ammonia Added
Day 58 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 58 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3 ml Ammonia Added
Day 59 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160 - Added Bicarb
Day 59 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3 ml Ammonia Added
Day 60 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 60 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 61 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 61 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 62 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0.25 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 62 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 63 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 63 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 64 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160 - Added Bicarb
Day 64 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 65 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160 - Added Bicarb
Day 65 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added + Plants
Day 66 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160 - Added Bicarb
Day 66 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 67 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 67 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 68 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 68 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 69 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 69 pm - pH 7.6 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added +90% Change
Day 70 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0.5 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 40
Day 70 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 40 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 71 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 40
Day 71 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 40 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 72 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 40-80
Day 72 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 40-80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 73 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 40-80
Day 73 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 40-80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 74 am - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 40-80
Day 74 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 40-80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 75 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 75 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 76 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 76 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 77 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 77 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 78 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 78 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 79 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 80
Day 79 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 80 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80
Day 80 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 81 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80-160
Day 81 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 82 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80-160
Day 82 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 83 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 80-160
Day 83 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 84 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160
Day 84 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 85 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 85 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 86 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 86 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 87 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 80-160
Day 87 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 88 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 88 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 89 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 89 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 90 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 90 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 91 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 91 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 92 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 92 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 3ml Ammonia Added
Day 93 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 93 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 94 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 94 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 95 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 5 - Nitrate 160
Day 95 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 96 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 96 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 97 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 97 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 98 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 98 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 99 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 99 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 100 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 100 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 101 am - pH 7.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 5 - Nitrate 160 - Bicarb Added
Day 101 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 102 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 102 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 103 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 103 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 104 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 104 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 105 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 105 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 106 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 106 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 107 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 107 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 108 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 108 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 109 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 109 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 110 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 110 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 111 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 111 pm - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 112 am - pH 6.6 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 1 - Nitrate 160
Day 112 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 113 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.5 - Nitrate 160
Day 113 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 114 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 114 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 115 am - pH 7.4 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 115 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 116 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 116 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 117 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 117 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 118 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0.25 - Nitrate 160
Day 118 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added
Day 119 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 119 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 120 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 120 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 121 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 121 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 122 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 122 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 123 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 123 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 124 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 124 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 125 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 125 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 126 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 126 pm - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added

Day 127 am - pH 8.0 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160
Day 127 pm - pH 7.8 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 160 - 4ml Ammonia Added


90% water change that night, then a small 15% Change the morning after as the nitrates were still 40.

Then I went out and bought my fish! :)

Cheers
 
As long as you can always measure some ammonia, there is enough to keep increasing the size of your bacterial colony. When it drops to zero or near zero is soon enough to top it back up to 4 or 5 ppm. So far it looks like you are making very nice progress on getting your cycle started.
 
Eventually the nitrates can get high enough to cause a pH crash but until then it is nothing to worry about. Don't be too surprised if you see nitrates go into the hundreds before all is said and done.
 
oh ok thats alright then! I was starting to get worried! Is it strange to get so many nitrates so early?
 
Lots of us have nitrates right there in the tap water at 30 or 40 ppm. Each ppm of ammonia becomes more than 3 ppm of nitrates. If you are converting 5 ppm then recharging, the first 5 ppm became 15 ppm of nitrates and the first recharge became the next 15 ppm of nitrates. It adds up pretty darned fast.
 
ahhhh ok, I never knew it all converted into a running total! Thanks, I take it I dont need to worry about then until I do my big water change just before I put my fish in then?

Cheers
 
That is right, the big water change at the end is meant to get the nitrate levels down before you add your fish.
 
day 5,6 looking good - as long as you're getting no drop in that pH yet, the high NO3 should not yet be a problem to N-Bac (nitrite oxidizing bacteria) growth. As soon as you see a significant drop in pH, say below that steady 7.2 you had earlier, then you'd need to be thinking of doing a large (90%) water change with ammonia re-charge. What that would accomplish would be to lower your nitrates(NO3), replenish your higher pH water and replenish some calcium assuming the tap water has some hardness to it. The N-Bacs will grow faster with less nitrate and with a little calcium in there and the water change shouldn't slow the fishless cycle much at all if any.

~~waterdrop~~
 
Hiya,

well the pH seems to have risen a little bit, upto 7.5 and now seems to be stable...

Ive updated it for last night and this morning...

Cheers
 
The two things we need to watch when you get nitrates(NO3) way up at 110+ like you've got is that these will tend to be acidic and could eventually pull the pH down quickly, causing bacterial growth to stall. The other issue is that the N-Bacs themselves (the second species that processes nitrite(NO2) into nitrate(NO3)) tends to slow down in growth if the nitrate level is too high.

The tricky part is that "disturbing" the cycle also slows things down a bit, so its always a hard call whether to bother to do anything about the high nitrates. The action you take if you -do- do anything is to do a 90% gravel-clean-water-change and then just re-charge with ammonia. Just keep an eye on the pH in case it starts to drop very much.

~~waterdrop~~
 
Just keep an eye on the pH in case it starts to drop very much.

~~waterdrop~~

Well you couldn't have predicted it any better! I had a big drop in pH and the ammonia just stopped processing so this evening I did a 90% water change and recharged with Ammonia, I forgot to test before adding the Ammonia so I will wait 12 Hours and test again. Hopefully I have just side stepped it!

Cheers

ps. day 10 updated...
 
It sounds like you are on the right track MartinKing. Just hang in there and keep an eye on things.
 

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