Cycling Problems.

[Luketendo]

Ok well I'm not sure how many tablets I should add should I add according to what it says for sterilizing milk? Also do I have to add dechlorinator whilst i'm sterilizing or just when I fill the tank with water when I'm ready to start cycling?

 

[Underwurlde]

I'd use a shed load. I dunno, go OTT, 10x the recommended dose? You'll be rinsing it out anyway.

Do NOT add dechlorinator when sterilizing as the main sterilizing agent is chlorine!

Once done, THEN dechlorinate the tank with mega-dosed-with-dechlorinator-water, then ordinary water then empty & fill the tank

Andy

 

[Luketendo]

So, Sterilize, then dechlorinate the Sterilized water with 10x dose, then empty the tank and fill with normal dose water and empty, and repeat the normal dose water?

Also should I leave the Sterilizing mixture for 24 hours?

 

[Underwurlde]

1/ I'd set up the FLuval 2+ filter. REMOVE THE MEDIA OF COURSE - so it's devoid of anything

2/ fill tank with normal tap water. Dose 5x the recommended of Miltons Fluid (or 10x up to you, I dunno I'm guessing but it's supersafe stuff for babies so go figure)

3/ Turn the pump on. and leave for a period of time. I'd guess at somewhere > 1hr, so yeah, 24hrs.

4/ Empty tank & filter.

5/ add normal tap water. Add 5x the recommended dechlor dose. Turn the pump on & let it run again for an 1/2 - 1hr. Dechlor works instantly.

6/ Empty tank & filter. Job done (hopefully).

7/ Add media + cycled ceramics to filter. Add the airstone to the filter.

8/ Fill tank again with normal tap water. Dechlor it as normal to the recommended dose. Turn on filter, heater & airpump.

9/ Add 4ppm ammonia, switch on that filter, get the tank up to 30 to 32C and away we go again cycling.


THIS TIME IT WILL WORK...

...hopefully.

10/ Join local Church & pray everyday (after adding ammonia & testing water of course )

Andy

 

[Luketendo]

Cheers that makes it very clear to me .

 

[rabbut]

1/ I'd set up the FLuval 2+ filter. REMOVE THE MEDIA OF COURSE - so it's devoid of anything

2/ fill tank with normal tap water. Dose 5x the recommended of Miltons Fluid (or 10x up to you, I dunno I'm guessing but it's supersafe stuff for babies so go figure)

3/ Turn the pump on. and leave for a period of time. I'd guess at somewhere > 1hr, so yeah, 24hrs.

4/ Empty tank & filter.

5/ add normal tap water. Add 5x the recommended dechlor dose. Turn the pump on & let it run again for an 1/2 - 1hr. Dechlor works instantly.

6/ Empty tank & filter. Job done (hopefully).

7/ Add media + cycled ceramics to filter. Add the airstone to the filter.

8/ Fill tank again with normal tap water. Dechlor it as normal to the recommended dose. Turn on filter, heater & airpump.

9/ Add 4ppm ammonia, switch on that filter, get the tank up to 30 to 32C and away we go again cycling.


THIS TIME IT WILL WORK...

...hopefully.

10/ Join local Church & pray everyday (after adding ammonia & testing water of course )

Andy

yer, what he said lol Overdosing on the steriliser will avoid anything outcompeting the bactiria as if forms. If this stuff is clorine baced, leaving the tank running for a few minuites with dechlrinated water is crucial to making it safe for fish, so again overdose here. Adding an airstone, IMO, is very important. It ensures your water does not stagnate, and that you are mainly forming airobic bactiria.
Rabbut

 

[Luketendo]

Ok, good to know thanks .

So when I add dechlor water I add an airstone too?

 

[rabbut]

Ok, good to know thanks .

So when I add dechlor water I add an airstone too?

add the airstone when the tank is filled for the last time ready for the cycle. It will not be needed untill then, and if the steriliser gets into it, it may leach out again later caursing a cycle stall, no matter how well it is rinced. They are real porus bits of kit.
HTH
rabbut

 

[Luketendo]

Ok, good to know thanks .

So when I add dechlor water I add an airstone too?

add the airstone when the tank is filled for the last time ready for the cycle. It will not be needed untill then, and if the steriliser gets into it, it may leach out again later caursing a cycle stall, no matter how well it is rinced. They are real porus bits of kit.
HTH
rabbut

Well I can't actually got an airstone on the filter just a bit of tube. But I see what you mean. Thanks.

 

[rabbut]

Well I can't actually got an airstone on the filter just a bit of tube. But I see what you mean. Thanks.

Then yes, run the venturi (bit of tube) through the sterilisation, rince and cycle process.

 

[Luketendo]

Well I can't actually got an airstone on the filter just a bit of tube. But I see what you mean. Thanks.

Then yes, run the venturi (bit of tube) through the sterilisation, rince and cycle process.

So now you're telling me I should use it through the Sterilisation as well?

 

[Underwurlde]

Whatever, it does not matter. Rabbut's point was that IF you did use the actual stone diffusor, that becuase of its porous structure that if it were to be used with water that was loaded with sterilizer, that it would soak it up and then be nigh on impossible to clean, then when it was used in the future it would always leak chlorine into the water and kill your bacteria. Now the fact is that you can't actually use the stone diffusor anyway, so the point is mute. Understand now?

For the record, there is no point using it during the steriliztion stage.

Andy

 

[Luketendo]

Ok cool thanks very much.

 

[Underwurlde]

So, you're all set to give it another go then!

I'd keep a daily record of Water stats for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH (and tap water stats when & if you top off). Be neat to see a graph of the results!

Andy

PS, just in case can you get hold of some baking soda / bicarbonate of soda (NOT the same as baking soda)?

 

[Luketendo]

Yeah I could do, I'm not sure what spreadsheet software our computers have, I think the main computer has a ms works spreadsheet.

I'll probably start on Thursday or Saturday.

Thursday because I have an inset day for some reason or another. My Mum is going to attempt to drive to near East Grinstead (only 30mins away but she's really bad with knowing where places are ), I'll be going to World of Fishes hopefully, that shop that's been voted best lfs in south by PFK. I'll see my first ever Marines in a shop, my lfs' don't have marines.

Otherwise I'll just do it on Saturday.

Thanks .