Fishless Cycling A 5 Gal With Fish Food....

[rhstranger]

Three words: what a mess.

First time cycling, been cycling a month. Don't know if this makes sense, but it seems like what is happening is
the food just keeps on rotting (did i say what a mess?). Unlike ammonia, where the bacteria that had grown would eat it up, bringing
the level to 0 ppm, the food just keeps on rotting, so it makes it impossible to tell when the cycle is drawing to a close.
Does this make sense?
Levels are within the 4-5ppm Am, Nitrites 1-3 ppm, Nitrates 20-40 ppm. Has been for 2.5 weeks. Now, I realize these levels have been determined by strips. I just haven't been able to find a API master kit locally. Gotta get to Big Als, but its 45 min away and just
haven't been able to get there yet. (Daddy duties).
It's just that the levels really haven't changed. Confusing. Any thoughts? I do hope to get the proper kit today hopefully.
Oh, and after a month, I have finally found some Goldex. Out of searching every Walmart in a 100 km radius, and Home hardwares,
and canadian tires, and Zehrs, Zellers, Dollar stores, & pharmacies, I found it at the local tiny independent hardware shop.
1 bottle left. 1.8 L. At least it should last me awhile, and starting my 20 gal H soon too.....

Thanks again, and I have to say that everyday I'm on this forum I learn something new. Big kudos out to all contributors!

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, people often don't realize prior, how totally frustrating it will be to fishless cycle with fish food, prawns or any other organic material. There will be no control and no feedback. Its working but you just have to basically ignore and trust it for a terribly long time, probably between 1 and 2 months.

What you've done will work though and will have helped and you can just switch right over to ammonia by doing a great big gravel-clean-water-change and recharging with ammonia to 4ppm. The water change will also give the bacteria a supply of fresh calcium, which they like and if you have some plant fertilizer that includes iron you can splash in a little of that too regardless whether you have plants, just a trace. Assume your temp is up at 29C/84F as is plastered all over the forum.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[rhstranger]

Thanks for the tips waterdrop. Will be cleaning the tank out tomorrow, and start with the ammonia. Didn't know if it was that easy to switch
or not. I've just got the static temp heater for the 5 gal. 78 is the best I can do. It will slow it down a bit, but going to keep with it. I want to get the API kit to make sure my PH isn't too high as well. strips say 8.4, but could be higher since the strips aren't too accurate....I've got plenty of PH and KH to go around in the tap water.

 

[waterdrop]

 

[rhstranger]

Well, finally got an API kit. WOW. my PH was about the same as the strips reading (8.4), but Amm was WAY off what the sticks said (1ppm, vs API kit's 5 ppm). Haven't started with the bottle of ammonia, as the food still is keeping the amm levels up. Probably why the tank hasn't cycled yet, as the ammonia level was probably through the roof.
Will probably clean everything out, big WC, and start from scratch with the liquid ammonia. Live and Learn.......

 

[waterdrop]