Kissfn's Fish In Cycle

[KISSfn]

Aquarium setup: 50 U.S. gallons 48 x 19 x 12.5", Eheim Ecco canister filter #2234, Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater 150W, 60 pounds CaribSea gravel (bags packed in water and alleged beneficial bacteria), API freshwater master test kit, digital thermometer, 8.5" blue led bubble wand, Fusion air pump #500, 7 plastic plants, 5 plastic ornaments, large plastic waterfall bubbler ornament, 16 small aquarium rocks.

Day 1 - 3/25/11 - Tap water test - PH - 7.6 - High PH - 7.4 - NH3 - 1ppm - NO2 - 0 - NO3 - 0. Just added ammonia so I will test later.
Night 1 - NH3 - 2ppm, dosed to 4ppm. Will wait a few days before retesting as it seems from others' logs NH3 doesn't budge at all until around 5 days in.

Day 5 - NH3 - 4 ppm - High PH - 8.0. Addition of 2.5 gallons to replace water lost from evaporation as I had the hood off thinking it would increase oxygen content (then Kitty Kat set me straight). Assuming this is another reason NH3 level has not decreased as tap has 1ppm.

Day 6 - NH3 - 2ppm - NO2 - 0- High PH - 7.4.

Day 7 - NH3 - 2ppm - NO2 - 0.

4/2/11 - Obtained mature filter media and switched to a fish in cycle.

 

[menacer]

Tap water 1ppm Ammonia?

 

[KittyKat]

Tap water 1ppm Ammonia?

Happens sometimes, I've seen people on here with tap reading of even 3 ppm.

 

[KISSfn]

Tap water 1ppm Ammonia?

Yes. I was suprised too. I guess Dallas treats the heck out of their water.

 

[Skins]

Tap water 1ppm Ammonia?

Yes. I was suprised too. I guess Dallas treats the heck out of their water.

Hi Gene(simmons i quess)
When dosing with your h/h ammonia remember to account for your tap waters ammonia level.

Keith(aka Paul)

 

[KISSfn]

Tap water 1ppm Ammonia?

Yes. I was suprised too. I guess Dallas treats the heck out of their water.

Hi Gene(simmons i quess)
When dosing with your h/h ammonia remember to account for your tap waters ammonia level.

Keith(aka Paul)

Hi Paul (Stanley)
Thanks for the advice.

Frank aka Gene Simmons

 

[KISSfn]

Will the blue LED lights of my bubbler interfere with the cycling? i.e. promote algae.

 

[KittyKat]

Quite possibly.. I find that blue tubes appear to encourage certain types of algae for me, but I have never heard of something I could call definite proof in either direction. At any rate, any light + ammonia = algae. The question is, how much light is enough to cause a problem? After all, I don't think most people black out natural light, nor room lights when cycling.

 

[KISSfn]

Quite possibly.. I find that blue tubes appear to encourage certain types of algae for me, but I have never heard of something I could call definite proof in either direction. At any rate, any light + ammonia = algae. The question is, how much light is enough to cause a problem? After all, I don't think most people black out natural light, nor room lights when cycling.

Thanks Kitty Kat! I think I will wait and see what happens. I'd like to leave them on as they are the most interesting feature in the absence of fish!
Your name reminds me of another Cat I am fond of.

 

[KISSfn]

Should my tank be covered with my hood? (Light off)
If so, should one or both access lids be open?

 

[KittyKat]

Nice kitty?

Yes, cover and keep them shut to reduce evaporation

 

[KISSfn]

Nice kitty?

Yes, cover and keep them shut to reduce evaporation

Thanks Kitty Kat!
Can I top off the water level as long as it's dechlorinated?

 

[KittyKat]

Of course!

 

[KISSfn]

Thank you!

 

[KISSfn]

May I have your expert opinions on products such as Tetra SafeStart and other alleged biological additives please?