Ifti's [Long] Fishless Cycle.....

[Gelt]

Hang in there ifti,

i just started my cycle today..only time will tell..

 

[Ifti]

Nothing seems to be moving in the tank at all - all reading are exactly the same......
Wondering if I should do a 50% water change?

 

[Gvilleguy]

At this point a water change would not hurt, and it might kick start some activity for you.

 

[Ifti]

How much of the water should I change out??

 

[Gvilleguy]

90%+ is fine. As long as you are dechlorinating the water going back into the tank, no problem replacing all of it. I fill my 26 gallon with a 3 gallon bucket, and I put a little dechlorinator in each bucket of water. Than I leave the filter off for a few minutes after the tank is full to make sure the chlorine has been neutralized.

 

[Ifti]

Cool, will go do that now and then add Ammonia again........

 

[Ifti]

Ok. Water changed and ammonia added to ppm.
Fingers crossed.

 

[menacer]

Good luck mate i feel your pain!

 

[Ifti]

Nitrite is at 0ppm since water change - is this good or bad, or neither??

 

[Ifti]

Just wondering if there is anyone in the Essex area who would be so kind as to donate me some mature media, or post to me (I cover P&P etc)......?

 

[menacer]

Hopefully it will follow mine lfti and the nitrite will fly sky high in a few days and then start eating your Ammonia

 

[Ifti]

I hope so - am getting tired of looking at an empty tank. My wife is taking the #101##. And my kids are losing interest! lol

 

[Ifti]

Still nothing - not sure what to try next?.....

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Still no luck with mature media? Pity i cant spare any at the moment otherwise i would have sent you some. Cant have another cycle as long as menacer!
Are you still putting the filter start in? If you are i would leave it and see how it goes.

Put an air stone in to keep the kids entertained for 5 minutes and it wll help with oxygenating the water.

 

[mishka83]

I feel sorry for you, i've been following your cycle (or lack of).

I really really recommend you get some mature filter media to add to your filter. It will REALLY make all the difference. Surely there must be someone who can help you?

I'm not even a week into my cycle but my Ammonia hit zero this morning. I bought a second hand dirty filter, then my dad gave me some extra media out of his filter (both externals). Depending on the health levels etc, a LFS might donate you some?

You must be fed up big time