Fishless Cycle Log

[frida]

Hello Everyone,

I've decided to log my fishless cycle here so that if anything goes wrong / or if I'm not on the right track, I can get some help

So here are some stats:

tank size: 60cm x 30cm x 30cm
(it's basically a Juwel Rekord 600 with its provided filter, lights and heater)

tap water parameters (tap water that has been sitting for 72 hours):
ammonia: 0.0ppm
nitrite: 0.0ppm
nitrate: 30.0ppm
pH: 8.2

I hope that makes sense!

 

[anon02]

Nice one,

The graph will be interesting to look back on nearer completion and the journal in conjunction with the graph should provide a good reference guide

ps could I suggest that rather than noting the volume of ammonia added you indicate the ppm, it will be easier for readers to see if you make a variation say in the nitrite spike

 

[frida]

Nice one,

The graph will be interesting to look back on nearer completion and the journal in conjunction with the graph should provide a good reference guide

Thanks! The kind of things I get up to instead of writing my thesis... Best get back to actual work!!

 

[frida]

1ppm of nitrites today (such a funny thought that I'm pleased about that, once I'm done with cycling and have fish, I'm going to be terrified to see 1ppm of nitrite!!!!!)

 

[waterdrop]

1ppm of nitrites today (such a funny thought that I'm pleased about that, once I'm done with cycling and have fish, I'm going to be terrified to see 1ppm of nitrite!!!!!)

Yes!

 

[frida]

Updated. I also got some filter media from a kind forum member which I added this afternoon so hopefully it will boost things
Looking forward to seeing the readings tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

 

[frida]

ammonia: 0ppm today!

 

[frida]

So good news today is that the ammonia is being processed in less than 24 hours. I'm going to do a test at the 12 hour point to see how things are then.

Nitrites are off chart high, as expected.

However, what is up with the nitrate readings?? I'm really confused on this one. Is it possible that the nitrates too are too high for the kit and therefore I'm getting false readings? What kind of experiences do people have with the API kits?

 

[anon02]

If you`re confused see my post API vs Tetra test kits

 

[frida]

Okay, so I now tested my tap water with the nitrate kit and I see the usual reading of: 20~30ppm

The water from the tank still looks like 5ppm but I'm now have a feeling that this really is due to the levels being high. I've noticed that the colours don't react the same way (the water in the tube immediately turns to the 5ppm colour when I add the drops from bottles whereas in the case of the tap water, it is much yellower and the colour change is gradual)

SO my new question now is: should I do a huge water change? Or just leave it until I start seeing drops in the nitrite levels?

 

[anon02]

Some people advise halving the ammonia dose during the nitrite spike, which when you think it through should reduce nitrate conversion

 

[roadmaster]

So good news today is that the ammonia is being processed in less than 24 hours. I'm going to do a test at the 12 hour point to see how things are then.

Nitrites are off chart high, as expected.

However, what is up with the nitrate readings?? I'm really confused on this one. Is it possible that the nitrates too are too high for the kit and therefore I'm getting false readings? What kind of experiences do people have with the API kits?

I have found that shaking the #2 solution for nitrAte test for two minutes as opposed to I think it's one,, will yield closer to accurate results. Nitrates may not be as high as you think in tap or tank.
I would think it worth a test to see?

 

[frida]

I shook it really hard when I did the tests but might try again with more shaking!!! It's worth a try I guess!

I have found that shaking the #2 solution for nitrAte test for two minutes as opposed to I think it's one,, will yield closer to accurate results. Nitrates may not be as high as you think in tap or tank.
I would think it worth a test to see?

 

[roadmaster]

Might also look at numbers stamped on bottom or side of bottles. The last four numbers will be the month ,and year before possible expiration date.
If test kit is too old,I should think results may not be trusted ,but from your other readings,I am not certain that expired test kit is a problem here.

 

[frida]

Might also look at numbers stamped on bottom or side of bottles. The last four numbers will be the month ,and year before possible expiration date.
If test kit is too old,I should think results may not be trusted ,but from your other readings,I am not certain that expired test kit is a problem here.

Thanks for your suggestions. I shook the bottle like there is no tomorrow for a solid 2 minutes (arm ache now! ) but I am still getting the same results. The dates I have on my bottles are 11/09 for bottle #1 and 03/10 for bottle #2. I thought the year on these were the date of manufacture rather than the date of expiry though!
http/www.fishlore.com/fishforum/test-kits/6439-important-information-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/276068-api-test-kit/