Jmac's New Fishless Cycle Log

[JMcQueen]

Okay, so i got myself a API PH Test Kit yesterday but unfortunately they only had the narrow range one in stock. I thought that would be better than nothing in the short term. The results are off the (admittedly narrow) chart showing greater than PH 7.6 for both the tap water and the tank water (though Im not sure how much thats going to be exaggerated by the ammonia I added).

Any thoughts?

 

[JMcQueen]

So does anyone have any advice? I havent seen a drop in the ammonia level for nearly three weeks. Im tempted to start again as nothing seems to be happening. Or at least do a 80% water change (without cleaning filter and media) and see if that helps things

 

[JMcQueen]

lol, I feel like Im talking to myself here but after a couple of weeks of no movement with the ammonia I've performed about a 80% water change and dechlorinated the water before redosing with ammonia.

 

[waterdrop]

Sounds like your pH is ok. The water change will be a good thing I think in this case. We knew it would be slow due to the lack of warmth but this seems slower than I would have expected, but I don't know what else to suggest as you seem to doing things about right.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JMcQueen]

Im not averse to the idea of purchasing an inexpensive heater to use whilst cycling and then remove it once complete if anyone can recommend one?

 

[LondonguyJ]

I am bouncing around this section of the forum reading from thread to thread on add and wait fishless cylces and figured I'd post here because we are using the same test kit.

My ammonia took roughly a day to drop from 4.9 to 2.4 but I figure that thats because I am using a heater and you were not. Though, like your results after the initial drop I have been stuck at 2.4 for some time now and am growing concerned.

But I'm not sure why you decided to do an 80% water change?

Feel free to take a look at my cycle. Perhaps we newbies can help each other out

 

[JMcQueen]

Mainly for no other reason than to try something to get the cycle moving. I was concerned that maybe the PH had dropped too much (it was before I had a PH test kit to hand) or someother unknown factor that had basically brought everything to a standstill.

I left the filter media and substrate under water though so as not to risk any damage to any beneficial bacteria that may have started to develop. I've now added a heater and raised the temperature to 29oC to try and get things going too. I can always take the heater out once I have a sustainable colony working.

 

[LondonguyJ]

How's the progress of this new cycle?

 

[JMcQueen]

Still the same unfortunately, though I only did the water change a few days ago and only added the heater last night. Apparently its not unusal for a cycle to take several weeks. I've seen a few logs that are into weeks 7 and 8.

 

[LondonguyJ]

See thats the thing...

Going by the guide I expected the ammonia to drop to nil within a week or there abouts but it's stuck at 2.4

Have you seen my fishless cycle log?

 

[JMcQueen]

See thats the thing...

Going by the guide I expected the ammonia to drop to nil within a week or there abouts but it's stuck at 2.4

Have you seen my fishless cycle log?

Yes, I had a quick look and to be honest, it doesnt look out of the ordinary. I wouldnt worry yet. The one thing I would say is that although the guide doesnt recommend it, test for nitrite anyway. That way you can see if the ammonia reduction is accompanied by an increase (even if its small) of nitrite which is what you'd expect to see happen.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Good idea

I'm at work at the mo using my time economically aka skiving so I'll do that when i get home and post it on my thread.

 

[JMcQueen]

Im not averse to the idea of purchasing an inexpensive heater to use whilst cycling and then remove it once complete if anyone can recommend one?

Heater now added and my water is lovely and warm.

 

[JMcQueen]

Bought I wide range PH kit today and its indicating that my PH is 8. Is this ok or should I try and lower it?

 

[PDSimon]

a pH of 8-8.4 is optimum for cycling

Quite high for tap water though