Karawr - Fishless Cycle

[karawr]

I've got a 20G tank running on an Aquaclear 30 filter, Fluval M100 100W heater, and I'm using API freshwater test kit.

Tap
pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Temp 78C (so far having no luck getting it higher)

Day 1 - Ammonia 0 (dosed 2ppm), Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, pH 8
Day 2 - Ammonia 2 (dosed 1ppm), Nitrite 0
Day 3 - Ammonia 3 (dosed 1ppm), Nitrite 0
Day 4 - Ammonia 4
Day 5 - No Testing
Day 6 - Nitrite 0
Skipped Days 8-13
Day 14 - Ammonia 1 (dosed), Nitrite 1
Day 15 - No Testing
Day 16 - Ammonia 0.5 (dosed 1ppm), Nitrite 5
Day 17 - Ammonia 2~3, Nitrite 5
Day 18 - No Testing
Day 19 - Ammonia 0 (dosed), Nitrite 5
Day 20 - Ammonia 2
Day 21 - Ammonia 3
Day 22 - No Testing
Day 23 - Ammonia 2, Nitrite 5
Day 24 - Ammonia 0.25 (dosed)
Day 25 - Ammonia 2, Nitrite 5, Nitrate 10~20, High pH 8
Day 26 - Ammonia 1 (dosed)
Day 27 - Ammonia 2, Nitrite 5
Day 28 - No Testing
Day 29 - Ammonia 1ppm, Nitrite 5
Day 30 - Ammonia 0.25ppm
Day 31 - Ammonia 0.25ppm
Day 32 - Ammonia 0.25ppm (topped off the tank and added prime after testing)
Day 33 - Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0.25ppm, pH 7.4 (dosed 2ppm)
Day 34 - Ammonia 2.0ppm, Nitrite 1.0ppm
Day 35 - Ammonia 0.25ppm (did 50% water change, dosed 2ppm)
Day 36 - Ammonia 2.0ppm, Nitrite 1.0ppm, pH 7.4
Day 37 - Ammonia 1.0ppm, Nitrite 2.0ppm
Day 38 - Ammonia 0.5ppm, Nitrite 2.0ppm, Nitrate 5.0ppm
Day 39 - Ammonia 0.25 (dosed 2ppm)
Day 40 - No Testing
Day 41 - Ammonia 0.5ppm, Nitrite 0.5ppm
Day 42 - Did a 90% water change; Dosed 2ppm ammonia
Day 43 - Ammonia 0.5ppm
Day 44 - Ammonia 0.25ppm (dosed 2ppm)
Day 45 - No testing
Day 46 - Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0ppm!!! (dosed 4ppm)
Day 47 @ 12 hours - Ammonia 4ppm
Day 48 - No testing
Day 49 - 90% Water Change (dosed 2ppm)
Day 50 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm (dosed 2ppm)
Day 51 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm (dosed 2ppm)
Day 52 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm (dosed 4ppm)
Day 53 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm (dosed 4ppm)
Day 54 @ 12 hours - Ammonia 1ppm (dosed 4ppm)
Day 55 - pH Crash to 6 -> 90% W/C (dosed 2ppm)
Day 56 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 7.6 (dosed 2ppm)
Day 57 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 7.2 (dosed 3ppm & 2TSP baking soda)
Day 58 - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 8.2 (dosed 3ppm)

12 Hour Testing
Day 59 7PM - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 8.2 (dosed 4ppm)
Day 60 7AM - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0.5ppm
Day 60 12AM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 61 12PM - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0.5ppm, pH 8.2
Day 61 1AM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 62 1PM - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0.25ppm
Day 62 12AM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 63 12AM - No Testing
Day 63 11PM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 64 11AM - Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm
Day 64 7PM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 65 7AM - No Testing
Day 65 7PM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 66 7AM - No Testing
Day 66 8PM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 67 8AM - Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, pH 8.0
Day 67 8PM - No Testing (missed dose)
Day 68 7PM - No Testing (dosed 4ppm)
Day 69 7AM - No Testing
Day 69 10PM - pH 8.8 (dosed 4ppm) (siliconed plexiglas to tank = ammonia/nitrite spike??)
Day 70 10AM - Ammonia 0.5ppm, Nitrite 5ppm, pH 6.8 (95% w/c)

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

You should initially dose 4-5ppm ammonia and test daily (24hrs). Wait for it to drop to 0ppm and then re-dose back up.

When the nitrites go above 5ppm, what we term as a spike, then drop ammonia dosing to 2-3ppm. Again, only re-dose once it has dropped to 0ppm. You are still testing daily (24hrs).

Once nitrite has dropped to 0ppm, dose back up to 4-5ppm. Again, you only re-dose when ammonia is 0ppm. When the ammonia and nitrite are getting to 0ppm in 24hrs, you can then start to test 12hrs after dosing. You are looking to get ammonia and nitrite down to 0ppm in 12hrs after dosing. Yes, at that point you can add fish but the general recommendation from experts on this forum is to to do a qualifying week where you get double zeros (ammonia & nitrite dropping to 0ppm) in 12hrs for 7 days just to be certain.

 

[karawr]

That looks to be the same thing as I posted. So I'm assuming I've got it correct?

And I also take that as to NOT re-dose ammonia at this time because I have to wait for it to drop to zero.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Yes you have - its easier for me to type what i was thinking than correct the slight bit about allowing ammonia to drop to 0ppm!!!!!

This is the add and wait method which is the common method used.

The other is add daily.

 

[karawr]

Okay, thanks for the reply. I think I've got it now!

 

[karawr]

Bump - updated first post... if anyone can give their thoughts that would be great.

 

[karawr]

Bump again, falling off the first page.

Someone please help with pH issue.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

By editing your fist post, it has confused the thread!

Your ph seems fine. Why do you want to change it?


Do you have a running log of your cycle? Is it posted anywhere?
Its easier for people to see whats happening with your cycle and then advise you.

 

[karawr]

I will update my post with my log... I was just keeping a log on paper.

I thought 8 is high and inhibiting the beneficial bacteria... either way I bought some malaysian wood (that I was going to use anyways to decorate the tank) and will toss it in after I'm done soaking it.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

The ph is fine for cycling, dont worry about it.

Your cycle log is confusing.
Why are you dosing different ammounts of ammonia? There appears to be no correlation between what you are doing and the recommended add and wait method from this forum.
If you are not sure then let us know? Does my post from 03/04/2011 make sense?
Also, read the beginners resource section and below is a link to Gvilleguys topic which is excellent. My only change to his advice that would be to allow ammonia to drop to 0ppm.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/352862-your-fishless-cycle-the-do-and-do-not-list/

 

[karawr]

I am redosing ammonia at different amounts because I don't redose at 0ppm. So if it's at 1 (and I need 2~3) I'll redose 1ppm, or if it's at 2 and I need 4 I'll do 2ppm, etc...

Also I've been really busy with exams and work (I'm in uni) so I don't have time to test a bunch of times during the day to see when it drops to 0. I test once a day, if it is below what it should be I redose...

My tap water pH is 8 should I worry once I get fish? And I've been following Gvilleguy's guide this whole process. Re-reading it again I noticed his note on pH 8.0-8.4 is a good spot. Thanks for refreshing me with the link.

Also, just out of curiosity, why is my tank taking so long even though I used mature media? Is it just a hit and miss sort of thing? Like sometimes mature media will help but sometimes it won't..

Sorry my log is confusing. Yes I understood your post and also made this thread (if you remember my original post..) to clarify the steps and make sure I got it right. As you corrected it, the only thing I got wrong was to only redose when ammonias at 0ppm.

To clarify again, I'm pretty sure this is where I'm at :

1. Once you see a spike in the nitrite level (literally off the chart - a color not on your test card), reduce the level of ammonia “top-offs” to 2-3 ppm rather than 4-5 ppm.

My nitrite is 5ppm (I'm assuming it spiked because it turns purple right away once I put the drops in), so I'm keeping my ammonia 2~3ppm.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

I take my hat off to you - study/work/fishless cycling!
Good luck with your exams!

Im no expert so i cant say how the varied dosing will effect your cycle with the nitrite at 5ppm you appear to be in the second stage.
The reason why it is better to let the ammonia get to 0ppm is that you know where you are with dosing thereafter and apparently it helps to build a stronger colony.

If you can, try and pick a time to test and dose at which you are going to be abe to regularly dose and test. It might be early in the morning or later at night. (just dont dose the tank if you have been on the sauce as you might add too much like somebody on this forum! ).
As you are testing every 24hrs at this stage, you could do say 8am. But if commitments dont allow it on some days then thats fine, just try and keep it there abouts. Bear in mind that when you get into the third stage, you will dtill only be dosing at the 24hr mark but will also be looking to test at 12hrs as well so you would need to be there for 8pm. But again you may end up testing at say 10pm.

Put some tap water in an open cup/jar and test the ph. Then test at 24,36 and 48hrs. By 48hrs you will have the ph that your future fish are going to reside in. The water in your LFS will probably be the same as yours so should be fine (unless your LFS is hundreds of miles away!).

You are spot on about the mature media. Also the bacteria that processes nitrite takes longer to develop so it will help you by giving you a good start but then its up to nature.

I would agree with you and treat it so that you are in the second stage and dose 2-3ppm.

Good luck!

 

[karawr]

Thank you! I'm doing my last exam tonight so I hope I'll have more time to focus on the tank...

I normally test around 5:30 at night... unfortunately mornings are no good for me because I work 7AM shifts. And I'd rather get the extra sleep than wake up a little earlier to make time for testing!! haha I think I will make a testing time later in the evening.

I will leave a cup of water out for testing too.

Thank you!!

 

[karawr]

I feel like somethings wrong just from looking at other peoples cycles. They have nitrite 5 but their dose of apprx 2ppm ammonia drops to 0 in a day. I've had 2ppm 4 days ago and it still hasn't dropped.

 

[karawr]

Ammonia still at 0.25ppm and not dropping to zero...