First Cycle Log

[XeroTolerance]

Ok thanks! Should I still raise the dose even though there is some ammonia left after 24 hours, like around 1.5ppm like it was yesterday? When I raise the dose I'll do it .5ppm at a time! I'm already dosing around 3.25 so I'll be done right when it can handle that amount!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Oops! I missed that it wasn't a one day drop to zero! Never mind about the 12 hour testing. And wait to raise the dose back up until you are getting zeros in 24 hours or less.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Ok thanks for watching my log though! I really like your help and support. I am hoping the cycle will be done by Wednesday. I'm doing 4ppm in 24 hours.

 

[XeroTolerance]

I just did a 12 hour test because I was currious what the reading would be. This is strangely what I got.
Ammonia 1.5
Nitrite 1.5

Are these normal? I was expecting Nitrite to be 0ppm but it shot up for some reason.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That's normal. Remember, 1ppm ammonia processes to 2.7ppm nitrite. Your nitrite colony isn't quite caught up yet. It will get there, but it takes some time.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Do you mean Nitrate colony?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

No. I mean the bacteria responsible for processing nitrite into nitrate (nitrospira by name).


I think of the bacteria as the ammonia colony (A-bacs - those responsible for processing ammonia to nitrite) and the nitrite colony (N-bacs - those responsible for processing nitrite to nitrate).

 

[XeroTolerance]

I get ti. Thank you very much! I really appreciate your help and support. I think I'll add fish on Monday because I got double zeros this morning. Hopefully I get another one on Sunday!

If your wondering this is the guide I'm following http/www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html .

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, I recommend you wait for at least 5 straight days of double zeros. But, if not, then keep your stocking levels very low, feed only a tiny amount, especially for the first week or two (only as much as the fish will eat in 30 seconds) and continue to test every 12 hours to monitor your ammonia and nitrite. Do water changes every 3 days for the first two weeks just to keep everything coming up zeros. Then, slowly drop that to every 5 days and finally land at every week.


Keep the water change amounts high - 50%+. Water changes are the BEST tool that an aquarist can use for EVERYTHING! There basically is no issue in the fishkeeping hobby that won't benefit from a water change.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yeah I agree with that statement. So after I add my fish I will need to do a water change every 3 days? Are you sure the 50% water change won't shock them?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You would need to change it AT LEAST every 3 days.

No. Water changes are not stressful to the fish. The bigger the change, generally, the better it will help. (It is for this reason that you want to keep the tank water parameters as close to your tap water as possible.) The key is to add dechlorinated, (roughly) temp matched water to the tank. Add it gently and the fish won't mind a bit. In fact, you may notice that they intentionally will swim directly into the flow of the new water. My fish LOVE to swim into the path of the water coming into the tank.


Water changes are actually a tool that are used by some breeders to spur on spawning behaviors.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Ok thats good to know. I'm not going to be getting a platy because like you said with 5 Flame tetras it is already full. I have a question though. IF I barely feed my fish than my bio-filter will not be getting any ammonia so it will downsize. Than when I do start feeding my fish my fish will my bio-filter will be too small?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, yes and no. Overfeeding causes excessive amounts of ammonia. Feeding sparingly creates less ammonia, but it won't cause a problem with the bacs. The fish will have plenty of ammonia to add to the tank when they are first added, because of the stress involved. Ultimately, most first time fishkeepers drastically overfeed their fish. Fish need far less food than many people give them. The key is to slowly increase the feeding level to where you believe it should be. The amount that they can eat in 30 seconds to a minute is sufficient. They can also be fasted at least once a week with no trouble.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yeah thank you for bringing that to my attention. I head that it is actually healthy for your fish if you skip a week every month in their feeding routine.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yeah thank you for bringing that to my attention. I head that it is actually healthy for your fish if you skip a week every month in their feeding routine.

I don't know about that, but I skip two days a week. (Sundays and Thursdays). Sunday is the day after their treat feeding (defrosted bloodworms) and water change. Thursday is just a nice midway point in the week for a second fast.


When I go away for any length of time, my fish get fed every 3rd day. And I haven't had a bit of trouble with them at all. In fact, it has probably benefited them in the long run.