Mola Mola - Fishless Cycle Log

[Mola Mola]

Hi,
I bought my new 80L Boyu MT-50 tank yesterday and below I intend to record the log of my fish-less cycle.

Day 1

Filled the tank and switched on the filter and heater (the light is not currently on), also added some gravel to the tank.

The tap water pH is 7.8, and there is no presence of ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. I did not test again after adding the gravel.

Day 2

Took about 3 hours to add the ammonia today (added 4ml then another 5ml and then a final 10ml). The tank temperature has been between 29-31C all day. After adding the last of the ammonia (at 5pm), the readings are

ammonia - 4 ppm
nitrite - trace (less than < 0.25 ppm, but not zero)
nitrate - 0

I was a bit surprised to find some nitrite, so did a side by side comparison with tap water and there is a clear colour difference. It is probably not quite as dark as the 0.25 ppm reading, but it is definitely more than zero.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Good for you for you for choosing to go fishless . I'm currently in the same process ( 4 days in).

 

[Mola Mola]

Day 3

I had to take the heater out for about 4 hours today, to get it changed. However, according to the thermometer, the temperature stayed at 31C for those 4 hours.

Results taken at 7pm tonight:

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 2 ppm

There is a definite decrease in ammonia today, and also definite rises in nitrite and nitrate.

 

[Mola Mola]

Day 4

Still struggling with temperature control. Was 31C earlier today, but is now down to about 29.5C.

The readings (at 5:30pm) are:

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

 

[Mola Mola]

Day 5

The tank temperature today has been between 28.5 and 29C

The readings (at 7:30pm) are:

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

exactly the same as yesterday.

 

[XeroTolerance]

We are almost in the same place. Currently I have

Ammonia 3-4ppm
Nitrite 0-.25ppm
Nitrate 0ppm

You have Nitrate though.

 

[Mola Mola]

We are almost in the same place. Currently I have

Ammonia 3-4ppm
Nitrite 0-.25ppm
Nitrate 0ppm

You have Nitrate though.

Thanks, great to get a comparison.

I find it a bit surprising that I have any nitrate, but that is what the test kit seems to be telling me, it is very clearly different to the reading that I got on Day 2.

When I got nitrite on Day 2 and then nitrate on Day 3, I thought that something magical was happening, but it seems to have gone quiet now.

The tank is quite a bit cooler than it was for the first couple of days, mainly because I am struggling with the heater. But I might try to raise it again, and get those bacteria cooking.

 

[Halo2928]

Day 5

The tank temperature today has been between 28.5 and 29C

The readings (at 7:30pm) are:

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

exactly the same as yesterday.

Its been quite hot lately, currently my tanks at 30C without a heater!

 

[Mola Mola]

Day 6

The tank temperature today has been 29C. I also measured the pH today, and it seems to be 8.2 - I wonder if that is a bit too high (will have the research).

The readings (at 6:30pm) are:

pH - 8.2
ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are exactly the same as yesterday.

EDIT: Having read up on it a bit, it doesn't seem that a pH of 8.2 is a problem, so it is back to patiently waiting

 

[Mola Mola]

Day 7

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

No change again today. Getting frustrated. Come on bacteria!

 

[Tizer]

Dont expect miracles, be prepared for another 2 weeks of this to be honest.

 

[Mola Mola]

Dont expect miracles, be prepared for another 2 weeks of this to be honest.

Yeah, I'm expecting at least 4 weeks overall, just tired of looking at an empty tank.

Day 8

ammonia - 3 ppm
nitrite - 0.25 ppm
nitrate - 3 ppm

Surprise, surprise, exactly the same again.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Good luck! My Nitrite just got boosted up from .25 to 5ppm overnight! I hope the same happens for you too.

 

[Mola Mola]

Good luck! My Nitrite just got boosted up from .25 to 5ppm overnight! I hope the same happens for you too.

Thanks. That's really encouraging!

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yep. I'm just waiting for the nitrites to get 5+. Ammonia has only dropped to 3ppm though.