Fishless Cyclin

[steve_b21]

I have been fishless cyclin for agesssssssssss, just noticed some movement over the last few days... does this seem normal?...

My tank is in a wall.... 31" Height, 47" length and 5" width, has a internal filter, 1 air stone.... temp is set at about 28-30 degrees. I have been told as the surface area is so small (due to tank only being 5") that oxygen levels are low, which would explain why tank is takin ages to cycle? is this correct?

Shall i add more Ammonia now to push it back up to 5?

Also, a fair bit of water has evaporated with the heat, is it ok just to top up with more water? adding de-chlorinater of course.

 

[ktricky]

just make sure their is alot of movement on top of the tank as this oxiginates the water maybe add an air-stone or if you filter allows it add a venturi pipe

my cycling tank lost alot of water due to vaporation i just added some more and the declor and all is fine but some one will let you know if i am wrong

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Steve,

You seem to be getting nitrite now which means that you ammonia is processing.

Top it back up to 5ppm and keep doing what you are doing. Patience my friend.

 

[steve_b21]

Hi Steve,

You seem to be getting nitrite now which means that you ammonia is processing.

Top it back up to 5ppm and keep doing what you are doing. Patience my friend.

Can i add some more water aswell? Will it be ok to add straight from the tap and then add de chlorinater?

 

[backtotropical]

Yes you can add more water. I'd add the dechlorinator to the tank and then the water rather than the other way round. You dont want to risk killing bacteria when you are cycling.

 

[Gremily]

What's the pH now?

 

[steve_b21]

What's the pH now?

Using a API Liquid Test kit... i have just tested for normal PH and it has gone blue which reads at 7.6.

I have then tested for High range PH and i have a reading of 8.2

Is this normal?

I am going to add de-chlorinater to the tank, top up water due evaporation, and then add ammonia so its back up to 5.


Is this ok?

 

[backtotropical]

Yip, go for it Steve.

The question about your PH was asked because if the PH falls below about 6.0, it can stall the cycle. This obviosly does not apply in your case.

With regard to the different kits showing different readings, it just goes to show how inaccurate our test kits can be. It would be interesting to find out which one is correct, if any?

 

[shang hi]

i live in the south-east of england, here the PH of the tap water if about 8-8.2 most fish will be fine in this water, if your realy woryed then use some Ph down, just read the instructions well..... i know people who have PH of 8 and they got worryed and overdosed on Ph down, resulting on the death of most of there tank....

 

[backtotropical]

Please don't use PH down. It will do more harm than good. All it will do is cause the PH to fluctuate unnecessarily. You are better not to use it. Please don't, you will only cause yourself more problems.

A Ph of around 8 is not a problem for a fishless cycle anyway.

 

[Gremily]

Yip, go for it Steve.

The question about your PH was asked because if the PH falls below about 6.0, it can stall the cycle. This obviosly does not apply in your case.

With regard to the different kits showing different readings, it just goes to show how inaccurate our test kits can be. It would be interesting to find out which one is correct, if any?

Yup that's why I asked although in this case it obviously isn't a problem, I guess you might have encountered the low pH problem too backtotropical as we live around the same area!

 

[steve_b21]

Just to add an update...

I added de-chlorinator, topped up water and then added ammonia.

Reading stands at...

5 Ammonia
.5 Nitrite

Looks good yes?

 

[backtotropical]

Just to add an update...

I added de-chlorinator, topped up water and then added ammonia.

Reading stands at...

5 Ammonia
.5 Nitrite

Looks good yes?

Looks fine Steve. You have a Nitrite reading so that shows that your ammonia has started being processed. Your well on your way now. Just keep an eye on the ammonia because it will probably start to process quicker in the near future, so you'll have to start topping it up more often.

Keep us updated?

 

[steve_b21]

Just checked now...

Reading stands at...

3 Ammonia
1 Nitrite


I understand that the tank will be ready to have fish when ammonia is being procesed in 24hrs. How far would you i am from this?

 

[backtotropical]

Ammonia and nitrite in 24hrs.

You can be processing ammonia in 24hrs but still have sky high nitrite. That would not be cycled.

Sounds like you're doing fine. Maybe another week-ish for your ammonia eating bacteria and 2 weeks for your nitrite eating bacteria? Just a guess. Each cycle is different.