Fishless Cycling Without Heater?

[OneOnion]

How much longer would it take if I fishless cycled without a heater? Is it even possible?I'm planning on starting the fishless cycle late november and getting the fish and heater for christmas. Thanks

 

[discus_lover]

It's not an exact science as it depends on so many different factors.

Water temperature, the bacteria multiply faster in warm water.
pH has an effect, the bacteria multiply faster if the pH is higher.
How many bacteria where on the rocks you put in? The more you add the quicker the cycle will establish.

But if you have Nitrite after one week, then things are working well. Hopefully you will have Nitrate increasing in another week, and then you are have some working cycle. Once you see nitrate going up you can stop adding ammonia, wait a couple of days for the ammonia and nitrite to drop and add some fish. If the ammonia or nitrite are slow to fall off after you stop adding, then let it cycle a bit longer to be sure.

It's a vauge guess, but one or 2 more weeks and you should be OK for some fish.

 

[fatheadminnow]

The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.

No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)

Nitrobacter is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas. In cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.

Sources:
http/www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

-FHM

 

[OneOnion]

It's not an exact science as it depends on so many different factors.

Water temperature, the bacteria multiply faster in warm water.
pH has an effect, the bacteria multiply faster if the pH is higher.
How many bacteria where on the rocks you put in? The more you add the quicker the cycle will establish.

But if you have Nitrite after one week, then things are working well. Hopefully you will have Nitrate increasing in another week, and then you are have some working cycle. Once you see nitrate going up you can stop adding ammonia, wait a couple of days for the ammonia and nitrite to drop and add some fish. If the ammonia or nitrite are slow to fall off after you stop adding, then let it cycle a bit longer to be sure.

It's a vauge guess, but one or 2 more weeks and you should be OK for some fish.

Cool. I have a high PH in my tap water, its about 8, so that's good.
Didn't get the question about the rocks. o.o I guess you were asking about how many rocks/things I will add from a established tank. I don't know any people with established tanks, so none. I'll start with warm water so it'll be a good start. Thanks

The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.

No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)

Nitrobacter is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas. In cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.

Sources:
http/www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

-FHM

Do you think heat packs would work to help keep temp. up? Ty.

 

[JustKia]

What's the general temp of your home, or where-ever the tank will be?
I don't use heaters in any of my tanks as my home is warm enough for them to keep the temps up.
I'm in the UK and some of my tanks are too warm, even now at the end of Sept.

Fill your tank and leave it overnight or so to come to room temp, check the temp and see where you're at. Depending on where you are you might not need a heater at the moment.

 

[Floyds mum]

Well basically it shouldnt matter cos we cycle a tank for goldfish and they dont need a heater.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others. In our cases here in the beginners section in recent years in the fishless cycles without mature media we generally see process times of 3 weeks to 2 months with many cases a bit over a month. Most of these are with a temp somewhere around our ideal of 84F/29C or so. I'd say there will be a definate slowdown at room temp but unless you happen to have one of the slower process times, you may not notice it in the end because individual case times are so unpredictable. Your pH sounds about perfect, so that should help.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[raptorrex]

What's the general temp of your home, or where-ever the tank will be?
I don't use heaters in any of my tanks as my home is warm enough for them to keep the temps up.
I'm in the UK and some of my tanks are too warm, even now at the end of Sept.

Fill your tank and leave it overnight or so to come to room temp, check the temp and see where you're at. Depending on where you are you might not need a heater at the moment.

lol, i had forgotten. i switched my heater off...... no idea when, but it was a long time ago. as you say, cooling is more of a problem than heating.

when i cycle a small tank, i put it on top of the fridge freezer, towards the back. i found the temp there to be, around 78-80f. just where i need it.

 

[OneOnion]

Okay, I'll find out what the room temperature is in my room, and the room temp of water.
boboboy- My refrigerator is attached to the wall, so I can't put it up there.

 

[waterdrop]

What's the general temp of your home, or where-ever the tank will be?
I don't use heaters in any of my tanks as my home is warm enough for them to keep the temps up.
I'm in the UK and some of my tanks are too warm, even now at the end of Sept.

Fill your tank and leave it overnight or so to come to room temp, check the temp and see where you're at. Depending on where you are you might not need a heater at the moment.

lol, i had forgotten. i switched my heater off...... no idea when, but it was a long time ago. as you say, cooling is more of a problem than heating.

when i cycle a small tank, i put it on top of the fridge freezer, towards the back. i found the temp there to be, around 78-80f. just where i need it.

My son and I were enjoying this as a good idea, although he was staring up at the top of the refridge, way out of his reach, asking me how one would do the tests day after day?