Jmac's New Fishless Cycle Log

[JMcQueen]

a pH of 8-8.4 is optimum for cycling

Quite high for tap water though

Sorry - should have made it clear, that is the tank water after the ammonia has been in for a few days.

 

[JMcQueen]

Little bit of a breakthrough today. I tested early as I knew I was going to be out for most of the day and the ammonia had dropped to 0.6. The nitrites hadnt risen much but Im hoping thats due to having some degree of a colony surviving from the tank before I did the water change. Heres hoping the ammonia has dropped again tomorrow when I can get the test times back on track.

 

[JMcQueen]

Definately starting to see some movement in the ammonia processing capabilities. Tested tonight and it was between 0.6 and 2.4 but nearer the 0.6 so I estimate at about 1-1.2. Slightly redosed heavily by adding 2ml (should only really have been about 1.2 but its so bloody difficult with such small amounts) which took it to a bit over 4.9 on the retest but we'll see how it goes.

 

[PDSimon]

Boots do 1ml plastic syringes... don't worry, as long as it doesn't go over 8ppm for days and days it won't make much difference day wise if any

 

[JMcQueen]

Do they? I'll have to pop in and ask. Just hope they dont expect you to be part of a needle exchange program or ask my how I take my heroin!

 

[PDSimon]

lmao, I thought that... but they're the little plastic ones that you use to feed people medicine orally...they do 5ml too.

 

[JMcQueen]

Ammonia processing seems to have slowed. Knew I should have got excited!

 

[LondonguyJ]

Ammonia processing seems to have slowed. Knew I should have got excited!

In an effort to get this long and at times arduous process right the first time I have been reading up on many add and wait cycles and try to take the best bits of advice from other sites/blogs/forums as well as this.

And I strongly believe that you need to allow your ammonia to drop to 0ppm and give the A-bacs 36 hours. I would say 24 hours but your aquarium has had ammonia present for 29 + days.

 

[JMcQueen]

The ammonia is moving again but hasnt dropped sufficiently yet to warrent a full colour change but its definately getting paler over the last couple of days.

 

[PDSimon]

This is irratating but sometimes happens, for example two logs on here, twinklecaz had a longer ammonia stage yet my nitrite stage was longer...so it turned out we're pretty much at the exact same stage at the end, its just how it goes sometimes and hopefully soon it will go down quicker.

 

[JMcQueen]

Big ammonia drop last night. Im hoping that the processing capabilities are starting to build up.

 

[JMcQueen]

Currently taking about 2 days to go from 4.9 to 0.6. I think Im going to redose to 3-4ppm after the next drop, test every 8-12 hours and see how long it takes to go to 0. The only concern I have is that Im not generating any nitrites (and have only seen a small rise once) but as long as the ammonia is reducing I'm guessing this isnt a problem.

 

[LondonguyJ]

I'm no expert but I find your Nitrite and nitrate readings very peculiar. Your Nitrates are showing readings that should be attributed to your nitrites?

I'm very confused by this but I'll keep an eye on your log to see what the more experienced members say?

 

[BethK]

What are your current Nitrate vs Nitrite readings?

pH of 8 is fine, if it hits over 8.5, then I would look into buying a reducer. Out of interest, what is your pH reading from your tap, untreated?

 

[JMcQueen]

What are your current Nitrate vs Nitrite readings?

pH of 8 is fine, if it hits over 8.5, then I would look into buying a reducer. Out of interest, what is your pH reading from your tap, untreated?

Nitrite is consistently reading zero or a very slight pinkish trace. I was expecting this to increase as the ammonia decreased but the substrate had been used in a tank before and although I cleaned it, it is possible as waterdrop said early in the thread that sufficient bacteria survived to generate a colony quicker than those that process the ammonia.

Nitrate is between 20-50 depending on interpretation (i.e. close and different light levels makes it difficult to tell between them). Tap water PH was about betweem 7.0 and 7.6 if I recall correctly, will check again tonight.

I'm no expert but I find your Nitrite and nitrate readings very peculiar. Your Nitrates are showing readings that should be attributed to your nitrites?

I'm very confused by this but I'll keep an eye on your log to see what the more experienced members say?

The nitrate level is very close to that of the tap water and hasnt really increased much.