Fishless Cycling - Is It Necessary ?

[TraceyB]

My new tank is about 5 days into its fishless cycle.

Current readings

Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrates 5.00 -10.00ppm
Nitrites 0.00ppm

Temp is practically the same just need to check the ph.

Just wondering if I can empty half the water out the new tank and place the majority of the old tank water then add my fish?

Thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

Nope - the beneficial bacteria you're trying to grow live in the filter, not in the water. If you have an already cycled tank, you can take a third of the media from that filter and put it in the new one. Your tank will then theoretically be able to take a third of the original tank's stocking right away, or you can use it to give your fishless cycle a massive jump start.

Have you been adding bottled ammonia or is that reading from your tap?

 

[Ruskull]

Most if not all of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter media, not the tank water itself. You could def. speed up your cycle by simply putting the old filter, including any insert, to the new tank. How much of a size difference is there between the 2 tanks?

Nope - the beneficial bacteria you're trying to grow live in the filter, not in the water. If you have an already cycled tank, you can take a third of the media from that filter and put it in the new one. Your tank will then theoretically be able to take a third of the original tank's stocking right away, or you can use it to give your fishless cycle a massive jump start.

Have you been adding bottled ammonia or is that reading from your tap?

Exactly.

 

[balajake]

your a good 30 days away from being able to put fish in im afraid. the only way to make it go quicker is to get some established gunky media from another filter. you could try ringing your local fish shops to see if they will give you some

 

[Ruskull]

your a good 30 days away from being able to put fish in im afraid. the only way to make it go quicker is to get some established gunky media from another filter. you could try ringing your local fish shops to see if they will give you some

I agree 100%.

 

[TraceyB]

Nope - the beneficial bacteria you're trying to grow live in the filter, not in the water. If you have an already cycled tank, you can take a third of the media from that filter and put it in the new one. Your tank will then theoretically be able to take a third of the original tank's stocking right away, or you can use it to give your fishless cycle a massive jump start.

Have you been adding bottled ammonia or is that reading from your tap?

No I haven't been using ammonia (although I have some in the cupboard).... The readings are from the new tank water...

I have been adding a little food each day ... and I have put in some old media in the new filter and have a secondary pump running with old media also........

How much of a size difference is there between the 2 tanks?

[/quote]


Exactly.
[/quote]

125litres

How much of a size difference is there between the 2 tanks?

[/quote]


Exactly.
[/quote]

125litres

 

[CezzaXV]

If you've not added any bottled ammonia then you're not doing a fishless cycle. On the upside, you have ammonia, either from your tap or the food so something is happening. The fish food method can be done in an emergency though we don't recommend it to complete a cycle with. If you do some research on fishless cycling you'll soon come to realise how important it is. Many guides will explain this to you before they've even described how to do one.

 

[TraceyB]

If you've not added any bottled ammonia then you're not doing a fishless cycle. On the upside, you have ammonia, either from your tap or the food so something is happening. The fish food method can be done in an emergency though we don't recommend it to complete a cycle with. If you do some research on fishless cycling you'll soon come to realise how important it is. Many guides will explain this to you before they've even described how to do one.

I did the conversion should I add the recommended amount of ammonia on a daily basis?

 

[balajake]

your tank will need 6.6mls of ammonia to get it to 4ppm


there are 2 methods

add and wait ( which im doing right now)

or add daily


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/

 

[CezzaXV]

Add and wait is the best method.

What kind of ammonia have you got? You'll need to make sure it's just ammonia and water. Chelating agents are also okay.

 

[TraceyB]

Add and wait is the best method.

What kind of ammonia have you got? You'll need to make sure it's just ammonia and water. Chelating agents are also okay.

Jeyes ammonia

 

[balajake]

Add and wait is the best method.

What kind of ammonia have you got? You'll need to make sure it's just ammonia and water. Chelating agents are also okay.

Jeyes ammonia

is it jeyes kleen off ?

if so its good

 

[TraceyB]

Add and wait is the best method.

What kind of ammonia have you got? You'll need to make sure it's just ammonia and water. Chelating agents are also okay.

Jeyes ammonia

is it jeyes kleen off ?

if so its good

Yes it is

Added the recommended dose about 4:00pm did a test following readings

Ammonia 8.00ppm Is this to high at this stage?
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Nitrate 5.0 (ish)ppm


Read the article on this site... was very good

I didn't expect things to go as quick i.e nitrites Guess the ammonia works.. Need to re read the article and figure where to go from here

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Add and wait is the best method.

Just to add my wooden spoon, add and wait is best for the op in question but there are tank and stocking that add daily has massive benifit

 

[Aqua Tom]

Add and wait is the best method.

What kind of ammonia have you got? You'll need to make sure it's just ammonia and water. Chelating agents are also okay.

Jeyes ammonia

is it jeyes kleen off ?

if so its good

Yes it is

Added the recommended dose about 4:00pm did a test following readings

Ammonia 8.00ppm Is this to high at this stage?
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Nitrate 5.0 (ish)ppm


Read the article on this site... was very good

I didn't expect things to go as quick i.e nitrites Guess the ammonia works.. Need to re read the article and figure where to go from here

8ppm ammonia is very high. Do a 50% water change & voila, 4ppm.

Tom