Fishless Cycling - Stalling, Plants To Blame?

[Jonno]

Thanks rdd, will do a water change tonight and hope for the best

Gawd my water bill will be sky high this month

 

[raptorrex]

yawn... got in and same results... nitrite test still dark dark purple.

is it normal for it not to even drop in the slightest?

i'm getting increasingly cheesed off

what test kit are you using? (brand)

i would really leave the plants in, unless they are rotting they will do no harm, indeed their root systems may well hold the very bacteria you are trying to grow. you dont say what temp you have your tank at, my i suggest the mid eightys during the cycle. the need for water changes during a fishless cycle is to be avoided, like throwing the baby out with the bath water, if possible.

this may be worth a look:
http/www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/pH-Ammonia.htm
this says that the removal of co2 by plants can have the effect of raising ph during the day. whilst it should make it rise during the dark.

 

[raptorrex]

yawn... got in and same results... nitrite test still dark dark purple.

is it normal for it not to even drop in the slightest?

i'm getting increasingly cheesed off

what test kit are you using? (brand)

i would really leave the plants in, unless they are rotting they will do no harm, indeed their root systems may well hold the very bacteria you are trying to grow. you dont say what temp you have your tank at, my i suggest the mid eightys during the cycle. the need for water changes during a fishless cycle is to be avoided, like throwing the baby out with the bath water, if possible.

this may be worth a look:
http/www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/pH-Ammonia.htm
this says that the removal of co2 by plants can have the effect of raising ph during the day. whilst it should make it drop during the dark.

 

[Jonno]

API test kit, which has always been right for my other tank.

Don't really see what else there is to do other than what rdd says... what he says does seem to make sense RE: the nitrite processing too slow than the nitrite buildup.

Temp is 30 Degress.

 

[raptorrex]

API test kit, which has always been right for my other tank.

Don't really see what else there is to do other than what rdd says... what he says does seem to make sense RE: the nitrite processing too slow than the nitrite buildup.

Temp is 30 Degress.

well you could keep your lights on 24 hours, that should, if your cycle is good, bring up the ph, but only with the plants in!

but yes i would agree with rdd. that may be the best cource of action. though in a normal fishless cycle water changes are to be avoided.

 

[Jonno]

After water change:

PH 7.6
Nitrite: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm

Added 4ppm ammonia now so hoping for the best

 

[Jonno]

nipped out for about 4 hours, came back, and nitrite is at 2ppm

ammonia is at 0.5ppm.



i'll give it some more time and post back

 

[rdd1952]

That would seem to mean that some of the nitrite has been processed although I would liked to seen no reading at all on nitrite which would have meant that the bacteria could process it as fast as it was being produced. Hopefully, in another 4 to 8 hours, they will both be back to 0.

 

[Jonno]

yeah same, although in a tank with fish in it the ammonia wouldn't come all at the same time though would it!

This morning, approx 14 hours after waterchange/adding ammonia:

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite 0.5ppm

Going to add some more ammonia later, can't be far off now surely

Does this mean i won't have to do a that large water change before adding fish?

 

[Leitch]

Check your nitrAtes. These are the reason you do the large water change.

 

[Underwurlde]

Interesting: on the subject of plants: Reading Ecology of the Planted Aquarium.

Page 4:

Tanks with water that become acidic (lower pH)…due to excessive Nitrification in the filter.

Page 5:

[Plants] stabilize the pH: Photosynthesis is a major acid consuming reaction.

Andy

 

[Jonno]

what is going on with my tank

Added another 4ppm of ammonia at 3pm yesterday. Tested 6 hours later, nitrite was at 2ppm. Just woken up, and it's still at 2ppm, 18 hours after i added ammonia?

PH about 7.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrates about 40ppm (maybe more, can't tell)

Surely this nitrite processing should be getting quicker and not slower??!?!?!

 

[Leitch]

Hey Jonno, when testing nitrates (if your using API) make sure you follow all the test intructions on the back. That involves shaking bottle 2 for 30 seconds, etc.

I thought my nitrates were 40 for ages, then i did the test according to the back of the card, and my nitrates are actually only 5-10ppm.

 

[Jonno]

Hey Jonno, when testing nitrates (if your using API) make sure you follow all the test intructions on the back. That involves shaking bottle 2 for 30 seconds, etc.

I thought my nitrates were 40 for ages, then i did the test according to the back of the card, and my nitrates are actually only 5-10ppm.

yeah i've done that - definately 40ppm+

 

[Leitch]

Good Good =]