Fishless Cycle

[toshapetriji]

After completing your cycle in theory you can fully stock your tank, this is what I did with no adverse affects.

Some more experienced memebers will advise around an 80% percent load, I would say you can decide.

 

[Skins]

Hello to you all,
Todays results:

Tank temp 29c
Ammonia 4ppm
nitrite 2ppm
High pH 8.0

From what you kind people have been telling me these parameters are pretty spot on, BUT please feel free to tell me if I am missing anything.
Will keep you updated.
Kind regards, Keith.

 

[Gvilleguy]

This looks good to me. You are only two weeks in and seeing nitrites already.

 

[Skins]

Hello all,
Just to give you all an update on my fishless cycle,
DAY 15
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite 5ppm (proberly higher)
Tank Temp 29c
NO HOUSEHOLD AMMONIA ADDED

If anything dosn't look right please do not hesitate to advise me. Will give you more results over the weekend.
Kind regards, Keith.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, the data show this tank to be ideal pH and temp and since the fishfood has been dosed enough to raise enough ammonia the fishless cycle appears to be doing well. I don't see any problems. WD

 

[Gvilleguy]

I'm interested to see how this one turns out, as I have not seen a fish food cycle yet. Seems to be working okay.

 

[waterdrop]

I sometimes think the GH, KH mix and even the actual specific minerals involved in creating the overall GH are a bigger factor than the ammonia source. This tank probably has very different water than our soft stuff, GVG. Its going to make a good tank for livebearers or mollies if the OP desires that!

WD

 

[Skins]

Yes, the data show this tank to be ideal pH and temp and since the fishfood has been dosed enough to raise enough ammonia the fishless cycle appears to be doing well. I don't see any problems. WD

Many thanks, keith.

 

[Skins]

Hello everybody,
I'm going to show you all the last three parameter checks that i have made,

Fri 24th Sept:
Tank temp 29c
ammonia 2-4ppm
nitrite 5ppm+
nitrate 10ppm
pH 7.4

Sat 25th Sept:
tank temp 29c
ammonia 2ppm
nitrite 5ppm

Mon 27th Sept:
ammonia 2ppm
nitrite 0ppm (checked twice)
nitrate 20-40 ppm

I can't understand why the ammonia levels have not gone to 0ppm. Should i raise the ammonia level back to 4ppm or wait until it falls to 0ppm?
Kind regards, Keith.

 

[Skins]

Just thought i would add to my last post,
Could the reason for there still being traces of ammonia be that food is still breaking down?

Please note that food was replaced by Household ammonia on the 18th sept from advise given.

 

[waterdrop]

I don't know Skins. Using organics in the fishless cycle does change the patterns of what you end up seeing. The 18th is a long time ago and I don't really think there'd be that much of fishfood left (unless you really had a lot of it I suppose.) I also don't know which way might be the faster route, just waiting for the 2ppm to drop to zero ppm or adding a little to bring it up to four.

I think I'd tend to watch it a few days hoping it will drop further on its own, but I'd not let it go beyond 4 days of that before I'd add some more ammonia. I'm also assuming your pH is holding steady at 7.4 and not dropping lower, which might explain a slowdown. A big water change kickstart might be in order if the movement seems to remain overly stagnant like its showing now. It could be that the bacteria have used up all the calcium or iron or some other trace that they need from the water supply.

~~waterdrop~~