Fishless Cycling

[lizjamie]

Hi,

I have been trying to fishlesscycle for about 4 months now (yes I know it should be more than done by now! - When it was almost done I topped up my tank with non dechlorinator and ruined everything and had to start again). Anyway due to some miscalculations I added a bit too much ammonia but the levels are coming down now. The thing is that my tank is FILTHY. THere is white solid scummyish stuff on the top and when i topped up the tank with water lots of debris came out my gravel.

Is there someway I can clean out the tank without having to start again AGAIN?

Thanks xxx

 

[waterdrop]

Wow, that one is over -my- head! You'd better wait for RDD or one of the other experts to help you make the call!

(I've noticed at least one other case of over-shooting the amount of ammonia, which argues for doing what rdd says in the article, testing drops in a bucket to know what amt will be correct or slightly under correct and then patiently counting drops into the aquarium the first time & rechecking with tests.)

 

[doresy]

4 months! Crikey, you could have cycled around the UK by now

Apart from now owning a 'septic tank' what stage are you at with ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels?

My first reaction would be to take out the filter media and gently squeeze out in dechlorinated water, keep it moist then completely empty the water and fill with fresh dechlorinated after a good cleaning of the tank.

Better still, aquire some matured filter media either from here or the LFS.

Ok, so lets have the stats and tank/filter info

 

[emmsy]

+1 doresy

 

[waterdrop]

+1 doresy

I agree emmsy, I think of dorsey as one of those experienced ones who can get you on track!

 

[doresy]

+1 doresy

I agree emmsy, I think of dorsey as one of those experienced ones who can get you on track!

 

[lizjamie]

My ammonia is 4 ppm and the nitrite is 0.25. So Empty the whole thing and keep the filter wet? And then keep going but be careful not to add too much ammonia too fast and letting it build up? ( I think this may have been the problem.....)

Sorry seem to be a bit thick at this!

 

[pastabake]

Take out all your water (though don't let the tank dry out) - you can hoover the gravel and give the tank a light clean as you do it. Don't forget to keep your filter immersed in tank water while you do it and don't forget to use dechlorinated water when you refill it. Test your water again and then add your ammonia - don't forget that less is considerably better than more.

Have a look at the thread by Bignose called "Why Water Changes During Cycling Are Good" and have a re-read of the "Fishless Cycling, Two methods in one thread" by rdd1952

 

[lizjamie]

Thank you everybody!

 

[waterdrop]

I love this thread. This is the only current person mucking with their fishless cycle longer than me and then there is the bonus of hearing from dorsey who was an inspiration to all of us slow cyclers when he made that statement about how someday you too will get to see the sky blue (or some such nice poetic api reference!)