Fishless Cycling Of A Newbie

[Corleone]

Sometimes it can take a while for wood to stop leaching tannins, especially a big piece. I treated two pieces with boiling water every day for two weeks and soaked them in between, and they still turned my water a dull brown. They've been in for two months and if I look at a sheet of white paper through the tank, I can still see the color a bit. It's harmless to fish, and some like it.

 

[Efren]

Sometimes it can take a while for wood to stop leaching tannins, especially a big piece. I treated two pieces with boiling water every day for two weeks and soaked them in between, and they still turned my water a dull brown. They've been in for two months and if I look at a sheet of white paper through the tank, I can still see the color a bit. It's harmless to fish, and some like it.

you're right, i'm observing it in a bucket of water which i'm puoring boiling water daily - -
and it's still leaching tanins - a bit f brownish coloring is not a problem to me at all...
but my wife is not amused with it - -

in some way i have to meet her standards - - -
so there goes the mopani wood, alone in a bucket - -

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Ef,

When you start to do some water changes during the 2nd phase, they are always -large- water changes, like 70% or 90% or 100% (hassling with plants being one of the things that can hold you back from 90% for instance.) Small water changes don't have any "meaning" in fishless cycling. Small water changes are a technique that is done to control various shocks to fish once you have them.

I've gotta run, but we'll talk about it more - you're still a long way away from it I think. It probably won't be more than just some weekend changes though, or less, its not that frequent.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Efren]

loads of thanks waterdrop - -

i'm still searching for ammonia though - -
and now my quest have even gone bigger--
aside from ammonia - i'm tryin to get hold of "bactinettes" as well.

been phoning maidenhead aquatics branches in London if they have any
and unsuccessful so far - -

and for a bottle of ammonia - i found one in Robert Dyas but
i didn't buy it yet.. just want to make sure if it's the right one to buy..

it's on yellow plastic bottle with a label of "household ammonia" on it...
been looking for the % but it had none...

somebody told me of a brand name "kleen-off"
but still unlucky....

 

[minxfishy]

Have you tried Homebase - they do household ammonia, in their cleaning products aisle, its a white bottle with dark blue writing on it

 

[wreckster]

loads of thanks waterdrop - -

i'm still searching for ammonia though - -
and now my quest have even gone bigger--
aside from ammonia - i'm tryin to get hold of "bactinettes" as well.

been phoning maidenhead aquatics branches in London if they have any
and unsuccessful so far - -

and for a bottle of ammonia - i found one in Robert Dyas but
i didn't buy it yet.. just want to make sure if it's the right one to buy..

it's on yellow plastic bottle with a label of "household ammonia" on it...
been looking for the % but it had none...

somebody told me of a brand name "kleen-off"
but still unlucky....

I got this bottle in Homebase, Preston - 500ml for just under £2.00

 

[Efren]

i'll be on my way there later.
luckily homebase is just a few minutes away from my place...

"dark blue writing on the bottle" got it...

thanks minxfishy



you're the man wreckster.. cheers mate!!!

 

[toshapetriji]

Yes go for the one in Robert Dyas it´s the one I used for my cycle and was fine. Good luck.

 

[Efren]

Yes go for the one in Robert Dyas it´s the one I used for my cycle and was fine. Good luck.

i've been there 'toshapetriji
but the colorful bottle gave me a second thought - -
i was presented with a yellow bottle with "household ammonia" writings
i thought it might be scented or whatever - (might not be pure)
cause at back says: for clothes stain etc etc.

however the photos above from homebase looks fine..
so we'll see....

 

[wreckster]

I did the foam test on the white bottle/blue writing from homebase and it passed - no foam

Also, the health & safety information on the back says CONTAINS: Ammonia Solution 9.5% E.C no 215-647-6
nothin else