Gelt's Fishless Cycle Log

[KittyKat]

It may be worth trying a water change, to bring the nitrites back into readable levels so that you can follow the progress better..

 

[Gelt]

Just done a 50% waterchange as Kat suggested and to move a few things about and first maintenance check of the 305
letting settle before my 1800 readings for Day 17.





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[Gelt]

Day 17 - 50% Water change done, Ammonia seems to be now at tap water level of 0.25 ppm, WC to get rid of high off chart NitrIte levels and re-energise to add water nutrients and much needed minerals!
Gave the tank a welcome clean with remaining 50% old water. Double dosed declorinator to added water. Temp steady at 29C as fresh water added was temp matched. expecting to see Ammonia down to 0 ppm as has been the norm over 24 hrs, No2 slowing showing decrease , promising to see N03 now at 80ppm ( so really 70 pmm , taking into account tap water NO3 stats of 10ppm )so some N-bac crunching is going on!

i long for the light blue of the N02!

All tests full range done and readings in daylight always helps i suppose...

G

 

[Gelt]

Day 18 - yes..we have N02 movement down to 2 ppm , N03 is getting darker red by the day, a bit darker than 80ppm but not quite 160 ppm

Temp 28.9
PH stable@ 7.6 -7.4
Ammonia re-dosed to 2 ppm

Great onwards and upwards

 

[Ragtagcurtis]

Congrats I wish my Nitrite would move

 

[Gelt]

Day 19 - Ammonia hitting zeros nicely now, N02 dropping day by day now at 1 ppm, N03 over 80 ppm alot darker than yesterday but not quite 160ppm, as tested readings in daylight!

could i be into my 12 hrs testing phase tomorrow , Day 20 results will tell....


comon you double zeros...

G

 

[waterdrop]

Glad to see you progressing like myself. Hopefully we will both be adding our fish sometime in May
Decided to go for a species only Neolamprologus brichardi tank myself, well I'm 90% sure thats what I'm going to do. Cant wait to see pics or your setup once up and running.

Wow, very interesting fish! Ive never read about them before. WD

 

[Gelt]

Day 20 - so close now, Ammonia continues to burn to zero in 24 hrs , N02 is at 0.25 ppm well actually between 0.25 and 0 pmm but nearer 0.25 , could'nt belive it so tested twice!!

N03 is darker red than 80 ppm but not as dark as 160 ppm

PH is nice and stable at 7.6- 7.4 - stable temp at 29.5 C , no lights, no plants .

what i have found is that the nearer to 30C (but not over) the N-bacs pretty much thrive
take last 4 days temp:

29.5 / 28.9/ 29.4 /29.5 C the days actually over 29C have seen a more significant drop in N02 .

G

 

[FraggyFragbait]

Day 20 - so close now, Ammonia continues to burn to zero in 24 hrs , N02 is at 0.25 ppm well actually between 0.25 and 0 pmm but nearer 0.25 , could'nt belive it so tested twice!!

N03 is darker red than 80 ppm but not as dark as 160 ppm

PH is nice and stable at 7.6- 7.4 - stable temp at 29.5 C , no lights, no plants .

what i have found is that the nearer to 30C (but not over) the N-bacs pretty much thrive
take last 4 days temp:

29.5 / 28.9/ 29.4 /29.5 C the days actually over 29C have seen a more significant drop in N02 .

G

Looking good

 

[Gelt]

Day 21 - First double zeros.. although i have a relativley trouble free cycle so far this was nice to see

Ammonia re-dosed to 4 ppm now into 12 hour testing starting at 1900 hrs on the 22/04/11

Typical have to do 0700 hrs test on Bank holidays...oh well needs must and all that.

PH steady at 7.6 - 7.4
No3 deep red 160 ppm +
Temp being consistent at 29.5C

any comments as always welcome

G

 

[doodleing]

Congrat's are in order.
Day 21 - First double zeros.
Hope to see purple turn to blue to soon.

 

[Gelt]

Congrat's are in order.
Day 21 - First double zeros.
Hope to see purple turn to blue to soon.

yea within 12 hrs is the aim... thanks

 

[Gelt]

Day 22 - after yesterdays first double zeros i expected to see some N02 left as readings show @ 1ppm due to the first re-dose back up to 4ppm Ammonia.

Ammonia continues to be zero for the fith day in a row,

As for the first 12 hr test at 0700 hrs i expect to see No2 maybe at 1-2 ppm.

comments welcome

G

 

[Gelt]

Day 23 - 0700 hrs - nearly doubles again...Ammonia 0.25 and N02 0.25....

@ 1900 hrs double zeros...great


PH stable 7.6 - 7.4
Temp 29.5C

Tank looks messy ! needs a clean lol

G

 

[Ragtagcurtis]

Day 23 - 0700 hrs - nearly doubles again...Ammonia 0.25 and N02 0.25....

@ 1900 hrs double zeros...great


PH stable 7.6 - 7.4
Temp 29.5C

Tank looks messy ! needs a clean lol

G

Congrats Gelt your getting there. What's in your tank at the moment? mines as clean as a whistle. I do have one of those magnetic algae cleaners however.