Halo's First Fishless Cycle Log

[Miles_hot]

just wait it our mate - day three is very early. No need to strip the tank down - sounds like the ich will die off anyway. The ammonia is still there feeding the bacteria, all is well in the world.

 

[Halo2928]

Day 3 (22:35)

Ammonia: 4ppm
Nitrite: 0.15ppm i think (not sky blue but not purple)
Nitrate:40 to 80ppm (what the hell is going on here!)

Now im really comfused. How can a nitrate spike be present when ammonia is so high and there is hardly and nitrites?

 

[Halo2928]

Day 3 (22:35)

Ammonia: 4ppm
Nitrite: 0.15ppm i think (not sky blue but not purple)
Nitrate:40 to 80ppm (what the hell is going on here!)

Now im really comfused. How can a nitrate spike be present when ammonia is so high and there is hardly and nitrites?

Just retested the tank water for nitrates, still the same reading

 

[Tizer]

test ur tap water

nitrate doesnt matter, not worth testing

 

[Miles_hot]

I would disagree Tizer - when ever our cycle stalled it was always in the presence of 80++ Nitrates. A massive water change (i.e. two large with a flushing of the filter between) always restarted it.

 

[Tizer]

its not worth testing at this stage is what i mean. get some ammonia movement then it migth be worth the odd test.

 

[Halo2928]

I would disagree Tizer - when ever our cycle stalled it was always in the presence of 80++ Nitrates. A massive water change (i.e. two large with a flushing of the filter between) always restarted it.

So a large (say 90%) water change is in order?, Do i then dose up to 4ppm ammonia again?

thanks

 

[Tizer]

what did your tap water test at? there is every possibility its actually at 60+ ppm nitrate anyway, mine is.

 

[Halo2928]

what did your tap water test at?

Im going to test it now , give us 5 mins

 

[Halo2928]

Right, just tested water, comes at 5ppm for nitrates

 

[Tizer]

lucky you wish mine came in so low

maybe do what miles said then, i always fish in cycle with my hardcorepro water change skills....or something, fishless fannying around isnt my thing

 

[Halo2928]

lucky you wish mine came in so low

maybe do what miles said then, i always fish in cycle with my hardcorepro water change skills....or something, fishless fannying around isnt my thing

lol, whats ur nitrates there? ,

I wish i could put my shrimps in already but like they say, cycle cycle cycle!

I cba with changing the water at this time at night so will do it tommorrow !

 

[Miles_hot]

understandable. We got pretty good at water changes. The favourite method was to push a long pipe into the tank, cover the end and pull down and release to get the flow going, walk the end over to the drain. Weight the end in the tank to the floor and have dinner / drink what ever till the flow stopped. Add de-clorinator, fill from hose (wedged in by the condensation cover) - return to drink / dinner checking after x mins. Monitor filling and stop when needed. Done

 

[Tizer]

lucky you wish mine came in so low

maybe do what miles said then, i always fish in cycle with my hardcorepro water change skills....or something, fishless fannying around isnt my thing

lol, whats ur nitrates there? ,

I wish i could put my shrimps in already but like they say, cycle cycle cycle!

I cba with changing the water at this time at night so will do it tommorrow !

My nitrates out of the tap are generally in the 'orange/red' zone so around 40/50. I've not actually done a nitrate test on any of my tanks for 6 months or so now. But thats because i normally do a 50% water change every saturday so it should never become an issue. Mind you, havnt done a water change on the new tank yet, not looking forward to them

 

[Halo2928]

Day 4:

(Morning)

Ammonia: 4ppm or 2ppm (Has gone much lighter than last time but plz comfirm)

Nitrites:0.25ppm

Im considering doing a 90% water change as nitrates are through the roof(from yesterday) and i have been told that nitrates at this level can stall the cycle(thanks miles ;] )

Here is my plan of action

1.Very large water change
2.dose ammonia back to 4ppm

is this ok?