Fishless Cycle Log - Add & Wait Method

[Skins]

I'm not saying MT should do this - just curious what the rest of you think. I found that a couple of 90% water changes during my cycle seemed to kick start the process and move things along. What are the merits of this, if any?

Imo your tap waters ph,gh,kH content are the main players in how quick your filter will cycle. I think its the luck of the draw what area you live in and what you get in your water supply, Like a lucky dip
If MT is getting frustrated then water changes just maybe one of those many tweaks we love to try in the fishless cycle to speed things along.

Keith.

 

[Gvilleguy]

And in my case my kh/gh are zero, and low pH (after settling), so it could be that the water changes replenished some pH buffering and helped move things along. I'll try to test that theory if I ever get another tank to cycle!

 

[MarlinTiger]

Morning all,

Once again thank you for the repsonses, views and comments, they are important and good for moral etc.

So here is where I am now:

Day 13 - After recieving advice from Skins decided to add enough Ammonia to take level back upto 2ppm

Day 14 - 18hrs after dosing tests as folows:

pH 8.2 - No change, very stable at this level
Ammonia - 0ppm - THATS A BIG FAT ZERO!
Nitrite - 5.0ppm - Off the scale
Nitrates - 5.0ppm - Same as yesterday

So after seeing the 0ppm Ammonia reading, I re-dosed to bring it back upto the 4ppm level. However, after reading a post, by Waterdrop to Ice-Nine, I'm not sure I should've done this?

I reads as though I should have waited until the Nitrites start to drop before sending the Ammonia level that high, should I have dosed only to the 2ppm?

If I read the post right I may/could have started to introduce some nasty bacteria - is this correct?

I'm Confused and a little worried that I could've just blown the whole process.

MT

 

[Skins]

Morning all,

Once again thank you for the repsonses, views and comments, they are important and good for moral etc.

So here is where I am now:

Day 13 - After recieving advice from Skins decided to add enough Ammonia to take level back upto 2ppm

Day 14 - 18hrs after dosing tests as folows:

pH 8.2 - No change, very stable at this level
Ammonia - 0ppm - THATS A BIG FAT ZERO!
Nitrite - 5.0ppm - Off the scale
Nitrates - 5.0ppm - Same as yesterday

So after seeing the 0ppm Ammonia reading, I re-dosed to bring it back upto the 4ppm level. However, after reading a pos tot, by Waterdrop to Ice-Nine, I'm not sure I should've done this?

I reads as though I should have waited until the Nitrites start to drop before sending the Ammonia level that high, should I have dosed only to the 2ppm?

If I read the post right I may/could have started to introduce some nasty bacteria - is this correct?

I'm Confused and a little worried that I could've just blown the whole process.

MT

Hello MT,
Yes, whilst you are showing high nitrites just dose your h/h ammonia up to 2ppm, giving the nitrite bacterias(N-Bacs)time to catch up. As you know having nitrite=nitrate, so keeping your nitrite level in check will ultimatly keep your nitrates from rising to quick.
Your doing fine and certainly have not blown it. Remember there is always one of the members willing to help/advise when required.

Keep us all posted ,Keith.

 

[Gvilleguy]

You are in good shape, MT - keep up the good work.

 

[MarlinTiger]

All,

Results of the Day 14 2nd test - 12hrs after dosing Ammonia to 4ppm:

pH 7.8 - Finally seems to have dropped from 8.2 where it had been for quite a few days.
Ammonia 0.5 - So it appears to be able to process Ammonia quite quickly now, hope to get another zero reading at the 24hr mark.
Nitrite 5.0+ - But certainly not as dark in colour as the test carried out at time of dosing.
Nitrate 5.0 - I guess it would be good if they stay there, but as has been pointed out I'm not too concerned at the moment.

Hope everyone is good.

MT

 

[Gvilleguy]

Still looking very good, and I'm jealous. Takes me 70 days to cycle a tank from scratch where I live...

 

[MarlinTiger]

Morning all,

Day 15 1st test results are as follows:

pH 7.8ish - Not sure what is happening here, the colour doesn't match anything on the chart it is more of a "pinkish" colour, however it isn't the 7.4 nor the 8.0 (High Range - API Freshawter Master Test Kit) so I have out it down to the closest being 7.8 but it is more red than that? Out of curiosity I tested it on the standard range and whilst the closest match was 7.6 Blue I have to say that it was a darker shade of Blue than the chart?
Ammonia 0ppm - So it has processed 4ppm in 24hrs. I have topped upto the Ammonia to 2ppm.
Nitrite 5.0ppm - Similar shade to yesterday
Nitrate 5.0ppm - Still quite low to what I would be expecting, but everyone's more experienced than I and the advice is not to be too concerned with Nitrate at the moment.

Am I right to assume that I am now in the second phase of cycling i.e. the Nitrite spike stage?

Will be next testing in 12hrs time.

Hope you all have a good day.

MT

 

[Skins]

Morning all,

Day 15 1st test results are as follows:

pH 7.8ish - Not sure what is happening here, the colour doesn't match anything on the chart it is more of a "pinkish" colour, however it isn't the 7.4 nor the 8.0 (High Range - API Freshawter Master Test Kit) so I have out it down to the closest being 7.8 but it is more red than that? Out of curiosity I tested it on the standard range and whilst the closest match was 7.6 Blue I have to say that it was a darker shade of Blue than the chart?
Ammonia 0ppm - So it has processed 4ppm in 24hrs. I have topped upto the Ammonia to 2ppm.
Nitrite 5.0ppm - Similar shade to yesterday
Nitrate 5.0ppm - Still quite low to what I would be expecting, but everyone's more experienced than I and the advice is not to be too concerned with Nitrate at the moment.

Am I right to assume that I am now in the second phase of cycling i.e. the Nitrite spike stage?

Will be next testing in 12hrs time.

Hope you all have a good day.

MT

Hello MT,

Yes you would be right in thinking you are in the nitrite spike stage, when these start to drop that is when you will see a rise in nitrate. Regarding your testing at this stage you only want to test and dose every 24hrs, its when your in the later stages of your cycle you start to think about testing on the 12hr and 24hr marks.

Keep up the good work Keith.

 

[MarlinTiger]

Morning all,

Day 16 test results as folows:

pH 8.2 - Appears to have risen after 2 days of being around the 7.8 mark. Any ideas as to why it would do that?
Ammonia 0ppm - Going to dose each 24hrs to the 2ppm mark until the Nitrites start to catch up i.e. drop (thanks for the advice Skins)
Nitrites 5.0ppm - Still off the chart
Nitrates 5.0ppm - Was kind of hoping to see a rise, this would mean that the Nirites are being processed wouldn't it?

Thanks everyone, have a good weekend.

MT

 

[Gvilleguy]

You are still looking good. The nitrite phase is going to take longer than the ammonia phase. Those I-Bacs are slower growth critters than the A-Bacs. Once the I-Bacs start to catch up with the large presence of nitrite, you'll see nitrates start to go up.

 

[Skins]

Hello MT,
The possible reason why your pH has risen is co2 gasing off in your water. One way of testing this is to fill a jug of tap water, record pH level, and leave 24/48 hours then re-test pH level. A pH of 8.2 is spot on for cycling.

Keith.

 

[MarlinTiger]

All,

Day 17 24hr test results as follows:

pH 8.2 - Have taken a sample of tap water 7.4, have kept a jar of water will test at the 24hr & 48hr mark
Ammonia 0pppm - Regularly dosing back up to 2ppm each 24hrs now
Nitrite 5.0ppm - Still off the chart
Nitrate 5.0ppm - No movement as yet

Hope everyone is ok.

MT

 

[Skins]

All,

Day 17 24hr test results as follows:

pH 8.2 - Have taken a sample of tap water 7.4, have kept a jar of water will test at the 24hr & 48hr mark
Ammonia 0pppm - Regularly dosing back up to 2ppm each 24hrs now
Nitrite 5.0ppm - Still off the chart
Nitrate 5.0ppm - No movement as yet

Hope everyone is ok.

MT

Should start to see those nitrites come down soon MT.
Keith.

 

[MarlinTiger]

Hi all,

Day 18 test results as follows:

pH 8.2 - Appears to have stabilised again. Checked the jar of tap water after leaving it 24hours to settle reading pH 7.4, wil check this again at the 48hr mark.
Ammonia 0ppm - I haven't added any today, thought process behind the decision is to try and let the Nitrites catch up, will add some more tomorrow to keep the bacs fed.
Nitrites 5.0ppm - Still off the chart.
Nitrates 5.0ppm - No movement as yet.

As always all commnets are welcome.


Have a good day.

MT