Fishless Cycle - Results So Far

[backtotropical]

Hey BTT (if still looking) ... I'm trying to find the thread where I finally figured out that there is indeed another Hovanec article later than the '96 one I've quoted in the past - any chance you remember what thread we discussed that in - I was going to try and mention it in the scientific one..

Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998)

or

Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001)?

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks BTT, would the stocking levels I listed above be acceptable in your opinion?

Cardinals can be very sensitive to new tanks so i would avoid adding them first. I would suggest the Apistos and the Rummy-Noses first of all, then the Otos, then the Corys, and finally Cardinals.

You should maybe consider adding more than 12 of each type of tetra though. Initially adding the Apistos and 12 tetras won't be anywhere near your filter capacity and you will suffer bacteria die-off.

I would recommend you up it to 20 of each. Now i'll get shot down here for recommending that you overstock your tank but you don't want to understock initially and lose those bacteria you have worked so hard for. The main waste production will be with the 40 tetras and they're not big waste producers, so it shouldn't be a problem. 6 Apistos and 20 rummy noses should settle your filter initially so that the subsequent Otos, Corys and Cardinals cause it no problems.

What type of corys are you going for? The pygmys are really cute.

Also, have you considered Nanochromis Transvestitus? The females are simply stunning! Would be a great addition to your stocking list.

Cheers

BTT

 

[waterdrop]

Hey BTT (if still looking) ... I'm trying to find the thread where I finally figured out that there is indeed another Hovanec article later than the '96 one I've quoted in the past - any chance you remember what thread we discussed that in - I was going to try and mention it in the scientific one..

Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998)

or

Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001)?

Thanks, yes, it was the 98 article I was looking for. I was reading the 2001 article again earlier today. Seems like Hovanec got hired away from ucsb by marineland between the time of these two papers.

 

[stormy78]

Cheers BTT! I will look into them! Well this morning I got up and started the daily round of tests. It turns out the PH had crashed over night to 6.06 and as such I still had a 0.25ppm Ammonia and NitrIte reading at 8am. Thankfully an understanding Boss meant I could do an 80% water change before work (was 5 mins late!) The PH went back up to 7.3 in the tank and I have left it to heat back up to around 86f. I retested the Ammonia and it was down to 0.00ppm, so this was increased to 3ppm as per yesterdays conversations. Fingers crossed that the Ammonia and NitrItes are gone by 8pm tonight

 

[Miss Wiggle]

fingers crossed!!!

those nanochromis are lovely, we've some nannacara anomala at the moment which are stunning too. makes a nice change from the apisto's.

 

[waterdrop]

When I google-image the nannacara anomala I see some that are solid, some with a horizontal stripe, some with a lot of mottled black on silver and one that is a stunning rainbow of colors on solid. Where do the colorations on yours fit in, MW?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Miss Wiggle]

When I google-image the nannacara anomala I see some that are solid, some with a horizontal stripe, some with a lot of mottled black on silver and one that is a stunning rainbow of colors on solid. Where do the colorations on yours fit in, MW?

~~waterdrop~~

ours are juvi's, just starting to colour up now. got a fairly big group (8 i think) and they seem to be developing some lovely rainbowy colours so fingers crossed they'll end up pretty!!

it's really nice actually, it's a 60 gal community tank with all sorts of smaller fish in and absolutley loads of java moss covering wood at the bottom, it's like a java moss jungle but they all dart around in there so you don't see them all that much, then you'll be looking at the tank and one will suddenly pop out with much stronger colours than the last time you had a proper look at them and it's gorgeous.

love to see the evolution of fish like dwarf cichlids as they mature, both in terms of colouring and their behaviour. Between the male nannacara and the male praecox rainbows there's always some sparring and displaying going on and it's fascinating to watch.

not 100% happy with how the tank looks at the moment (but decor and planting is Ian's department) but I'm v pleased with the fish selection and how the community is coming along.

i think this is how ours will turn out

they currently look like this but a bit darker.

 

[stormy78]

I have called around all the LFS and no one has any nannacara anomala I was just going to go along and take a look. One of them do however have some Apistogramma borellii and the males look stunning. Will 1 of these males with a few females be ok in the tank with 1 male Apistogramma cacatuoides and 2 or 3 females?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i'm relativley sure that you can mix apisto species providing you have a big enough tank and enough hiding spaces, however i'd stick a post in the NW Cichlids section to get confirmation of this. I'm not 100% sure.

 

[backtotropical]

i'm relativley sure that you can mix apisto species providing you have a big enough tank and enough hiding spaces, however i'd stick a post in the NW Cichlids section to get confirmation of this. I'm not 100% sure.

I'm going to back you up on that MW. So long as there are plenty hiding places so each male can claim his own territory it should be fine. Terracotta plant pots are popular for this purpose, and so are coconut shells.

 

[stormy78]

i'm relativley sure that you can mix apisto species providing you have a big enough tank and enough hiding spaces, however i'd stick a post in the NW Cichlids section to get confirmation of this. I'm not 100% sure.

I'm going to back you up on that MW. So long as there are plenty hiding places so each male can claim his own territory it should be fine. Terracotta plant pots are popular for this purpose, and so are coconut shells.

Thanks both of you. I have messed around with the layout throughout the cycle but am fairly happy now. I will post some 'pre' pruning and 'post' pruning pics tonight All the plants are getting a good trim before I stock the tank.

 

[stormy78]

Day 40 (Thursday 22nd May)

Tested Ammonia at 8.00am
Ammonia: 0.50ppm
NitrIte: 0.25pm
NitrAte: 20
PH: 6.10

PH Crashed

I did an 80% water change.

After the water change there was 0.25ppm Ammonia still in the tank. I added an additional 3ppm Ammonia at around 8.30am
PH was raised to around 7.3

Tested Ammonia at 8.10pm
Ammonia: 0.00ppm
NitrIte: 1.00ppm so its still not there
NitrAte: 40 ppm
PH: 7.28

 

[waterdrop]

Hey BTT (if still looking) ... I'm trying to find the thread where I finally figured out that there is indeed another Hovanec article later than the '96 one I've quoted in the past - any chance you remember what thread we discussed that in - I was going to try and mention it in the scientific one..

Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998)

or

Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001)?

Thanks, yes, it was the 98 article I was looking for. I was reading the 2001 article again earlier today. Seems like Hovanec got hired away from ucsb by marineland between the time of these two papers.

Hey BTT, Yeah, just what I thought I remembered... Get this: Hovanec dumps baking soda into his fishless cycling tanks every day in order to keep the pH up at 8.0 -- how's that for interesting! Its right there big as life in the article. I swear I'm gonna talk to this guy some day - if he was still at ucsb I would have called him today but he's gone off to marineland. Oh well, haven't really done all my homework on it yet anyway.

(stormy, apologies for using hijacking your thread for a PM! Its just that we know MW et al. like to see all the stream of conciousness, lol)

 

[stormy78]

Hey BTT (if still looking) ... I'm trying to find the thread where I finally figured out that there is indeed another Hovanec article later than the '96 one I've quoted in the past - any chance you remember what thread we discussed that in - I was going to try and mention it in the scientific one..

Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998)

or

Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001)?

Thanks, yes, it was the 98 article I was looking for. I was reading the 2001 article again earlier today. Seems like Hovanec got hired away from ucsb by marineland between the time of these two papers.

Hey BTT, Yeah, just what I thought I remembered... Get this: Hovanec dumps baking soda into his fishless cycling tanks every day in order to keep the pH up at 8.0 -- how's that for interesting! Its right there big as life in the article. I swear I'm gonna talk to this guy some day - if he was still at ucsb I would have called him today but he's gone off to marineland. Oh well, haven't really done all my homework on it yet anyway.

(stormy, apologies for using hijacking your thread for a PM! Its just that we know MW et al. like to see all the stream of conciousness, lol)

Not a problem... I just want my tank to blooming cycle!!!

Actually waterdrop, RDD, BTT, MW or anyone else lol how much Ammonia should I add tomorrow persuming both Ammonia and NitrIte are 0? The 3ppm I added today or 4-5ppm as I was before?

 

[stormy78]

Morning All!

Well Ammonia and NitrIte were both 0.00ppm this morning and the PH dropped slightly to 7.1. I have raised the Ammonia back to around 3-4ppm as I figured today was the first day after RDD's advice when both Ammonia and NitrIte were 0.00 at 8am so it is a clean slate so to speak. BTW Nitrate this morning was 20>.