Fishless Log Cycle

[fshinggrl]

A colder temp will slow the bacteria's metabolism which will slow how fast they colonize, so a colder water temp will slow the cycle down.

-FHM

Yep.. I plugged in the heater as soon as I realized it. I should add some more ammonia then (now) and test it in the morning. Thanks! You've been a great help.

 

[fatheadminnow]

about ph level you may read this one....
<a href="http/discusfishcaresecrets.blogspot.com/...r-aquarium.html" target="_blank">http/discusfishcaresecrets.blogspot.com/...r-aquarium.html</a>
and your ammonia and nitrite level is little high.so do a partial water change...

The pH level is perfect, there is absolutely no need to lower the pH/adjust it in any way!

She is doing a fishless cycle, so again there is absolutely no need to do a water change to effect that!

Please discus_lover, read the entire thread before posting!!!!! You have been telling way too many members to lower their pH on a lot of threads lately, especially when there is no need to do so!

Yep.. I plugged in the heater as soon as I realized it. I should add some more ammonia then (now) and test it in the morning. Thanks! You've been a great help.

Yup, try to add up near 4-5 ppm of ammonia. Remember, only add ammonia at the 24 hour intervals! Sounds like you got this under control! When you can process ammonia from 5 ppm to 0 ppm in 12 hours (nitrite must also be zero at the 12 hours mark), then you are cycled. The first time this happens though, you still want to continue adding ammonia up to 5 ppm every 24 hours for 1 more week. This is called the qualifying week. In the qualifying week, nitrite is sometimes prone to have a mini spike. So it is best to have the mini nitrite spike during the qualifying week and not when you have fish in the tank.

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

Ok, tested after 12 hours and Ammonia was at .25

 

[fatheadminnow]

Ok, tested after 12 hours and Ammonia was at .25

Looks like you are doing good!

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

Ok, yesterday (10/18) I did a water change. I then put more ammonia in and tested it this morning. Zero on Ammonia & Zero on Nitrate. :happy dance:

Do I keep adding ammonia until this weekend and checking both levels then? This cycle has gone faster than I thought it would. That makes me think I'm missing something.

I am also trying to think of fish that like soft water. Any hints for my 13 gallon tank. I know I like swordtails, but am open to NICE fish possibilities.

 

[fatheadminnow]

For the cycle, continue adding ammonia back up to 4-5 ppm at the 24 hour mark, like you have been doing this entire time. Do this for one more week. This is called your qualifying week. After this one week is up, and your ammonia and nitrite have read zero at the 12 hour mark through out the entire week (Note: You may have a slight nitrite spike), then do a 90% water change. The 90% water change is to reduce the nitrate level that has accumulated throughout this whole time. Once you add water back to the tank, make sure it is dechlorinated, and the temp is up to normal, you are now read to add fish.

As for what kind of fish, I am not sure. Someone should give you a few pointers, if not, go ahead and start a new thread asking what fish would be suitable for your tank. Make sure to list everything about your tank and everything you have done to the tank is your question. This will give people a better chance of recommending fish for you.

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

OK, as of this morning, the stats are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
PH - 8.2

Ph seems too high... what can be done.
I plan on doing my water change tomorrow.

 

[fatheadminnow]

OK, as of this morning, the stats are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
PH - 8.2

Ph seems too high... what can be done.
I plan on doing my water change tomorrow.

I would not worry about the pH until the cycle has finished, as the pH is prone to fluctuations during a cycle.

Do you have live plants in your tank or done a large water change lately? As you should have a high amount of nitrate in your tank, tat least during a fishless cycle a fishless cycle?

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

The last water change I did was on 10/18. I think I forgot to add ammonia yesterday, would that make a difference? No live plants either (eta)

I've just been running so hard around here doing things that I think my batteries are wearing out. Researching what fish to buy etc... keeping kids happy... never ending battles.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I hear you,

Well, the only way to get the nitrates out is a water change, or plants will use nitrate as well.

Ammonia -> Nitrite -> Nitrate -> water change. So, you see that if you have not done a water change, then you should have nitrate.

Is your ammonia going from 5 ppm to 0 ppm within 12 hours? At this time, 12 hours, nitrite should be at zero as well. When this happens, then you are cycled.

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

Ok. Nitrate 5.0
Ammonia - 0

Seems to be cycling ammonia well.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Ok. Nitrate 5.0
Ammonia - 0

Seems to be cycling ammonia well.

That's good! As long as ammonia is going from 5 ppm to 0 ppm in 12 hours, and nitrite is at 0 ppm as well at that time, then you are cycled. Once this happens though, continue adding ammoina every 24 hours for one more week. Nitrite is prone to fluctuate during this time for some reason. This is called your qualifying week. At the end of that week, go ahead and do a 90% water change and then you are ready for fish!

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

I just tested Nitrite and it is at zero as well.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I just tested Nitrite and it is at zero as well.

So, ammonia and nitrite are at 0 ppm at roughly 12 hours from when you dosed ammonia up to 5 ppm?

-FHM

 

[fshinggrl]

yep