Cycle Diary... Finished @ Day 127!

[martinking]

Hiya WD,

I was starting to think it was my interpretation of the results, but I did do a test on my tap results and I did get a 0 ammonia, it was definitely a different colour to the result from my tank. Always had a slight green tinge in the tube.

I'm just going to keep a close eye on things like I have been doing and hope for the best. I just know that me and my family are getting sick of keeping 3 rocks in such a lovely water tank!

 

[Bobtastic]

Props for you commitment Martin! Keep up the good work!

I would have given up ages ago and plonked some fishies in!

 

[waterdrop]

If its any help, I was at Day 160 (!) when Oliver's tank was finally ready and yes, I was being harrassed daily by the family...

~~waterdrop~~

 

[martinking]

If it gets over day 100 then my 1 year old son will have a new paddling pool! It would be like a jacuzzi with the external filter in there!

and cheers Bob!

 

[martinking]

Day 49 Added to the front page guys... Nothing happened again, it looks like im in for another Ammonia stall!

Any suggestions? it seems to be processing from 5 to 1 really quickly but then it just stops...

Cheers

 

[waterdrop]

I'd say let's just go ahead and punch it back up to 5 rather than letting it sit there again. We don't want to get too bored

~~waterdrop~~

 

[martinking]

I know how you feel, im starting to get really bored! Well I tried a little experiment and topped it up with what I thought was a tiny amount of ammonia (2ml) but it shot up to 8ppm! (think I tested without giving it a chance to circulate)

So how long should I leave the water before I test for the ammonia, do it need to give it a chance to circulate around the tank to ensure an even mix? For now I have updated upto day 53 and whenever it drops down to 0.5ppm on the PM test im adding 2 more ml.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, people usually give it a half hour to circulate before taking a measurement. -wd-

 

[martinking]

Hiya Guys,

Great news after a lot of patience and some lowering of the ammonia levels it seems to now be getting there.

12 Hours after adding the ammonia I seem to be getting down to minimal levels of Ammonia and Nitrite. I'm slowly increasing the Ammonia im adding up to about 4ml. But currently im adding 2.5ml and working my way up to it!

Really happy with the results for once! I think I may have fish soon!

Cheers

ps. I have updated page 1 with the stats!

 

[waterdrop]

Welcome back MartinKing! Yes, looking better! You might benefit by another 90% water change considering that NO3 has worked up to 160. High NO3 and NO2 is supposed to be a growth slower to some extent regardless of pH, so its good on longer cycling cases like this to get it cleared out sometimes.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[martinking]

Thanks WD...

To be honest the NO3 is hovering just over and around the 80 mark more than anything, its just hard to tell the difference between 80 and 160 on the API tests.

I might see how it goes over the next couple of days and then do one, what do you think?

Cheers

 

[waterdrop]

o yeah, that's fine, it might even surprise you and finish up before you get to a water change... we can hope, right?

 

[martinking]

well thats what im hoping! desperately hoping!

 

[martinking]

Right, I've updated the front page with Day 57-60 and its getting there... Im now dosing upto 4ppm of Ammonia (3ml)

Which seems to be hitting the right spot, had to add a little bicarb due to a little pH drop. This is probably caused by the high Nitrates again, but I think as long as I can stay on top of it I dont think its too much of a concern, if it starts going rapidly then Ill do a 90% Water change, but for now I think ill be alright!

Cheers

 

[waterdrop]