Kez's First Cycle Log

[KezJona]

*Note* Please could an admin delete my old thread? ( http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/368293-my-1st-fishless-cycle-log/ )

So, this thread will serve as my daily log for my first fishless cycle, any answers to any questions I ask will greatly be appreciated.

All test photos will be added to the bottom of this post, marked as Figures and updated as time goes by.

My tank:Marina 160L Tank

Equipment:

2 x Marina Slim S20 Filter
1 x Tetratec HT 150 Heater
1 x black background
1 x API Master Test Kit

Substrate: Sand - thoroughly washed.

Filter Cartridges (per filter):

2 x Bio-carb
2 x Bio-Clear

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Cycle Log

I am using the Add and Wait method located here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling


29/07 - 21:00 - Day 01 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.2 - Pre-Ammonia Readings
29/07 - 22:00 - Day 01 : Ammonia: 5.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: > 8 - Dosed 5ppm, PH off scale - correct?
30/07 - 13:00 - Day 02 : Ammonia: 5.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: > 8 - Water change 50% Am now 5ppm rather than 10ppm
31/07 - 17.00 - Day 03 - Ammonia: 4.0 , Nitrites: .25 , Nitrates: 5.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6 - My first sign of Nitrites & Nitrates, woohoo!
01/08 - 19.00 - Day 04 - Ammonia: 3.5 , Nitrites: 2.0 , Nitrates: 5 + , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6
02/08 - 12:30 - Day 05 : Ammonia: 2.5 . Nitrites: 5.0 , Nitrates: 30+ , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6 - Nitrates between 20 - 40ppm.
03/08 - 19:00 - Day 06 : Ammonia: 1.5 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 35. , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6
04/08 - 19:00 - Day 07 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 40. , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6 - Dosed 2ppm of Ammonia
05/08 - 19:00 - Day 08 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6 - Inconclusive reading due to Nitrate value.
06/08 - 11:40 - Day 08 : Ammonia: 2.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 30. , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6 - Nitrate seems better, redosed to 2ppm of Ammonia
07/08 - 19:00 - Day 09 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 120 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.2 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppm, Nitrates shot up high
08/08 - 19:00 - Day 10 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 5?? , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.0 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppm, Nitrates being weird again
09/08 - 19:00 - Day 10 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5 + , Nitrates: 150 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.0 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppmm Nitrates normal again
10/08 - 19:00 - Day 11 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , Ph: 7.2 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppm.
11/08 - 19:00 - Day 12 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 1.5 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 6.6 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppm and added some bi-carb to raise PH
12/08 - 19:00 - Day 12 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: .25 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 8.0 - Redosed Ammonia to 2ppm.
13/08 - 19:00 - Day 13 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.8 - Double zeroes! Redosed to 4ppm.
14/08 - 07:00 - Day 14 : Ammonia: 1.0 , Nitrites: 5.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.4
14/08 - 19:00 - Day 14 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 5.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.4 - Redosed Ammonia to 2.5ppm
15/08 - 19:00 - Day 15 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: .25 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.2 - Redosed Ammonia to 2.5ppm
16/08 - 19:00 - Day 16 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.2 - Redosed Ammonia to 3.0ppm
17/08 - 19:00 - Day 17 : Ammonia: 0.5 , Nitrites: 1.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temo: 30C , PH: 6.4 - Put some bio-carb in to raise my PH slightly.
18/08 - 23:00 - Day 18 : Ammonia: 0.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 8.0 - Redosed Ammonia 4ppm
19/08 - 19:00 - Day 19 : Ammonia: .25 , Nitrites: 5.0 , Nitrates: 160 , Temp: 30C , PH: 7.6
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[Miles_hot]

you might want to standardise a format so that the measurements display as a sort of table / column. I found that setting a specific number of numbers (5.0, 0.5, .25) allows things to line up. THis mansi it much easier for people to read and comment on.
Update the front page of the thread and then put a new post in to bump it back up the order so that people can see that the log has been updated - especially if you have a comment or question!
Good luck.
Miles

 

[KezJona]

Firstly thanks to Miles_Hot for recommending the log layout for me and to moderator lljdma06 for editing my post for me as I am unable to do it at this time.

I have decided to go down the "Add and wait" method as well, but obviously because I have dosed to 10ppm I will just wait a while, taking another reading in a few days to see if the level drops. When it drops to around 1 - 0 ppm I will dose back to 5ppm and continue the cycle this way!

Kez

 

[Miles_hot]

If you're sitting at 10ppm you need to do a 50% water change to bring it down as levels above 5ppm inhibits the sort of bacteria you need

 

[Aqua Tom]

If you're sitting at 10ppm you need to do a 50% water change to bring it down as levels above 5ppm inhibits the sort of bacteria you need

+1, you want it at 5ppm or slightly less. Any more & it will stall the cycle. As Miles Hot states, a large water change is the way to go.

 

[KezJona]

If you're sitting at 10ppm you need to do a 50% water change to bring it down as levels above 5ppm inhibits the sort of bacteria you need

After reading this I immediately grabbed my bucket, the hose and began syphoning the water! Got it down to 50% and then added more water once again after dechlorinating it.

My reading for today should now read:

30/07 - 15:00 - Day 02 : Ammonia: 5.0 , Nitrites: 0.0 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 30C , PH: 8 - Water change 50% Am now 5ppm rather than 10ppm

Thank you so much Miles, I feel annoyed I keep making such mistakes But it is my own fault for switching

Kez

 

[Miles_hot]

Ah, that's the thing - these are not mistakes they're opportunities for further learning which you have cunningly set up

 

[KezJona]

Well I have an update! Still can't edit my original post yet so will just do it here for now:

31/07 - 17.00 - Day 03 - Ammonia: 4 , Nitrites: 0.25 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6 - My first sign of Nitrites, woohoo!

 

[KezJona]

Well I have an update! Still can't edit my original post yet so will just do it here for now:

31/07 - 17.00 - Day 03 - Ammonia: 4 , Nitrites: 0.25 , Nitrates: 0.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6 - My first sign of Nitrites, woohoo!

Sorry for the double post, but I still can't edit. I just left my test tubes out, laziness and my Nitrate seems to have gone darker in this time.... it shows to me as 5ppm, maybe 3-4 but definitely not 0. Is this normal for day 3?? My readings should now read:

31/07 - 17.00 - Day 03 - Ammonia: 4 , Nitrites: 0.25 , Nitrates: 5.0 , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6

 

[KezJona]

Got an update on my readings, they are as follows:

01/08 - 19.00 - Day 04 - Ammonia: 3.5 , Nitrites: 2.0 , Nitrates: 5 + , Temp: 28C , PH: 7.6

 

[KezJona]

Just updated my log for day 5. But the Nitrite seems to be more purple then the chart is offering as the max is 5ppm (API Master test kit), is this normal?

Also, my nitrates are between 20ppm and 40ppm, it isn't completely red as it still has a tint of orange in it.

Does everything seem normal so far?

 

[KezJona]

Just updated my log for day 5. But the Nitrite seems to be more purple then the chart is offering as the max is 5ppm (API Master test kit), is this normal?

Also, my nitrates are between 20ppm and 40ppm, it isn't completely red as it still has a tint of orange in it.

Does everything seem normal so far?

Bump

 

[Miles_hot]

If your Nitite has gone off the scale as soon as you added it you're in the spike. If on the other hand your colour has changed when you left it for longer than the test suggests (i.e. how I read the 31st) you can ignore this as the tests are designed for a specific time with the exception of the spike reading which is instant.

If you're spiking then very well done - into stage 2 now. Reduce the ammonia dose to 2ppm as you don't want to drive the Nitrite readings sky high as anything much above 5ppm inhibits the baccteria we want to grow. You could consider a full water change to reset the chemistry and re-dose till it shows 2ppm ammonia if you like. Alternativly you can ignore it and wait for it to slowly come down on it's own. I would tend to ignore it for a few days and then get bored waitign and change the water to bring it back under control. Note that in the short term there are likely to be many little spikes which the filter brings down under control in a day or so...

Going well

Miles

 

[KezJona]

If your Nitite has gone off the scale as soon as you added it you're in the spike. If on the other hand your colour has changed when you left it for longer than the test suggests (i.e. how I read the 31st) you can ignore this as the tests are designed for a specific time with the exception of the spike reading which is instant.

If you're spiking then very well done - into stage 2 now. Reduce the ammonia dose to 2ppm as you don't want to drive the Nitrite readings sky high as anything much above 5ppm inhibits the baccteria we want to grow. You could consider a full water change to reset the chemistry and re-dose till it shows 2ppm ammonia if you like. Alternativly you can ignore it and wait for it to slowly come down on it's own. I would tend to ignore it for a few days and then get bored waitign and change the water to bring it back under control. Note that in the short term there are likely to be many little spikes which the filter brings down under control in a day or so...

Going well

Miles

Yay, thank you for your reply! When I do my tests I do each seperately, so do the PH shake it, then move to Ammonia etc. By the time I had done the Nitrite and finished the Nitrate testing the Nitrite had already turned the dark colour of purple, so maybe there was a waiting time of a minute or so?

I just done a test and timed it to see how long it takes to get to the colour I had before and it took just under 1 minute to change to the dark colour purple I got earlier. So have I hit the spike part of the cycle based on this?

 

[Miles_hot]

In it's full glory the spike is shown by the test turning dark purple almost before the drops have hit the bottom of the tube (which I'm not sure we actually got) - other than that use a buzzer to measure out your times for each test (you may need two buzzers ). If you don't follow the timings fairly accuratly you're not going to be consistent which will be a swine for you.

Regards

Miles