Dtaylor's Fishless Cycle

[dtaylor21184]

how close am i to it being fully cycled i'm itching to get fish lol

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You are still well into phase two of the cycle. Based on what I saw on your log, a 100% water change would be a good idea. Your nitrite levels could be ridiculously high right now. If the nitrites are too high, then you are encouraging the wrong type of bacteria.


Step 1: Do a 100% water change to cut the nitrite levels down to the point that you can actually get a reading on the test kit. The lower you can get the level the better.

Step 2: Lower your ammonia dose to 2ppm (continue to dose at the regular time). Keep the dose this low until the nitrites start to fall.

Step 3: Once the nitrite drops off again, slowly raise the ammonia dose back up to 4-5ppm (but still dose at the regular time). This is phase three. You aren't there yet.


in the meantime to make yourself feel better, go to the LFS (better yet more than one) and just wonder about. Look at all the different fish. Consider which ones will look best in your tank. Check with the folks there once more to see if they will give you some mature media (even a little bit can go a long way to helping you.) Also look at the selection of driftwood, plants, other decor. If you see anything that you like - get it! Even getting plants at this stage isn't a bad idea. Just know that light + ammonia = algae. If you see decor, wood, rocks, etc. that you like, the simple act of adding them to your tank will give you a bit of a new lease on the cycle. You will still want fish, but looking at the tank will be a little nicer. If you don't have substrate yet, look at the corys very closely at the LFS. If you like them, you need to get sand. Others will tell you that they do fine on gravel. The truth is that the fish themselves prefer sand and it is far safer for their barbels - and therefore their lives.


And remember, it WILL come along eventually.

 

[dtaylor21184]

think my nitrites are starting to fall

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Did you do a water change?

If not, then phase three is right around the corner.

 

[dtaylor21184]

Did you do a water change?

If not, then phase three is right around the corner.

no never got around to doing a water change but it seems to be going down on its own now

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Good stuff... You might want to do a 12 hour test coming up, just to see where the ammonia/nitrite are... You never know, the nitrites seem to be dropping down quickly now, and who knows how quickly you are processing ammonia.

 

[dtaylor21184]

how is my cycle looking now?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Looks good so far! The double zero can take a few days to show up. But, you will get there.

 

[dtaylor21184]

its hitting double 0 in 12 hours now what do i need to do know? continue redosing for a week?

 

[dtaylor21184]

am i in the final stages now?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Double zeroes for 5-7 consecutive days is the end of the fishless cycle. The next step after that is a complete water change to remove nitrates and replenish any trace minerals that may have been used up by the bacteria. You also will want to refill at the temperature necessary for your fish, rather than the higher temp for the bacteria to thrive.

Then within 24-48 hours of your water change you will want to add the fish! Theoretically, you could add your full stocking load, but I would stick to 1/2 to 2/3rds.

 

[dtaylor21184]

Double zeroes for 5-7 consecutive days is the end of the fishless cycle. The next step after that is a complete water change to remove nitrates and replenish any trace minerals that may have been used up by the bacteria. You also will want to refill at the temperature necessary for your fish, rather than the higher temp for the bacteria to thrive.

Then within 24-48 hours of your water change you will want to add the fish! Theoretically, you could add your full stocking load, but I would stick to 1/2 to 2/3rds.

thanks gonna add some fish next week provided it stays at double 0