Cycle So Far

[ez_101]

Hi all,

So I started cycling my new tank 2weeks ago, here are my results so far;

6/6/11
PH- 7.6
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0

7/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 0.25ppm

8/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 0.25ppm

9/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 1ppm

10/6/11
Ammonia- 0.5ppm
Nitrite- 2ppm

11/6/11
Ammonia- 0.5ppm
Nitrite- 2ppm

13/6/11
Ammonia- 1ppm
Nitrite- 5ppm

14/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 5ppm

15/6/11
Ammonia- 0ppm
Nitrite- 0.5ppm
Nitrate- 10ppm
Then added filter sponge from existing tank and some gravel, added more flake
After 2hours re tested;
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 5ppm
Nitrate- 20ppm

16/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 5ppm
Nitrate- 40ppm

18/6/11
Ammonia- 0ppm
Nitrite- 5ppm
Nitrate- 10ppm

19/6/11
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrite- 2ppm
Nitrate- 5ppm

So I am using flake food for my ammonia source however I was wondering if these results looked normal, things seem to be looking better now, nitrites coming down and ammonia seems to go to zero in 24 hours then I add more flake.

All help and advice will be greatly received!

Cheers

 

[KittyKat]

You need a much higher concentration of ammonia to add any significant stocking to the tank. Try to get it up to 3-4 ppm. Your cycle will be complete when the tank can process about 4 ppm of ammonia to nitrate in 12 hours, for 7 days in a row.

This is quite difficult to measure because the food does not release ammonia all in one go, but rots slowly. Also, be aware that you will need to do some major cleaning on the substrate before adding fish because some food is basically guaranteed to get into it.

 

[ez_101]

Thanks, I will probably buy some pure ammonia this week, Im more worried about trying to control the nitrites?? Will that just happen?

 

[KittyKat]

1 ppm ammonia gives you about 2.7 ppm nitrite, which is why they're a bit high. As long as they don't go over 5 ppm for more than a few days, you are very unlikely to have problems because of them during your cycle. The bacteria should catch up quite soon.

 

[ez_101]

Thanks for the input... Any idea on timescales until it's done?

 

[KittyKat]

Unseeded, usually 4-6 weeks before qualifying week. Seeded usually more like 2-4 weeks from start to qualifying week. I have seen unseeded take as long as 10+ weeks too though..

 

[ez_101]

When you say seeded do you mean added media?

I planned on it being 4weeks but wasn't sure how the addition of my media would work!?

 

[KittyKat]

Seed is adding mature media, yes.

You can't plan it.. it takes however long it does. By seeding, you have probably sped it up by a few weeks

 

[ez_101]

Seed is adding mature media, yes.

You can't plan it.. it takes however long it does. By seeding, you have probably sped it up by a few weeks

Thank you for all your help and advice!!