My 1st Fishless Cycle...

[MattM1124]

Ok, I'm starting my first fishless cycle and just a had a few questions. Also any pointers would be helpful. I have a 20 gallon tank and I plan to get tropical fish. I may decide to get Black mours but not sure yet. I'm going with the 'add & wait method'. I had my tank set up before but I unfortunately didn't know about the fishless cycle so they all ended up dying after about a year. Of course now I'm going with the safe way. Here are my questions:

1. I tested my tap water before I added any ammonia into the tank and my nitrates from the tap starts out at 5ppm. What do you suggest I used to lower them if anything?

2. I have my heater on at 80 degrees during the fishless cycle, is that good?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as the cycle goes on.

thanks,
Matt

 

[toshapetriji]

You don´t need to worry about Nitrates during the cycle, you will be fixing that with a very large water change once the cycle is complete. 80 degrees is fine for the cycle too this will help the bacteria to grow. Keep us all informed of progress and we can give advice as you go on. I re read the fishless cycle thread many many times during my cycle and I suggest you do to. It seemed everytime I got a little more information.

You have made a great choice going this route.

Use this time to do research on the fish you would like. Ask lots of questions and you will do just fine.

Welcome to TFF by the way.

 

[gaz gun man]

dont worry about your nitrates from the tap, I have 10ppm straight from it too, and its constantly around 40ppm in my tank.

as your cycle finishes the nitrates will be high anyway - 1 large waterchange will sort that then you'll be ready for fish

 

[MattM1124]

Thanks for the info so far and I'll definitely keep you all updated.

Another question, I know it's good to keep the ph at around 7-8 so the bacteria can grow. During this fishless cycle if the ph drops under 6 should I do a partial water change or just add the PH up stuff?

 

[minxfishy]

Yep you can do up to a 100% w/c if needed, just remember to re-charge the ammonia to 5ppm

You can also add baking soda (although I dont know the amounts required to up the ph with soda).

 

[Dan81192]

Thanks for the info so far and I'll definitely keep you all updated.

Another question, I know it's good to keep the ph at around 7-8 so the bacteria can grow. During this fishless cycle if the ph drops under 6 should I do a partial water change or just add the PH up stuff?

aim to keep the PH betwen 6-8

any less i'd start to worry lol

aka have you tried using peat to keep the ph down?

 

[PlatinumAngel]

Hey, I'm doing my first fishless cycle as well. Good luck to you. I'm on day three right now.

I was under the impression not to worry about the ph while cycling.. hmm.


btw, my condolences on being a Steelers fan

 

[Sarette]

Im on day 4 of my first fishless cycle! My tap water's ph is 8.4, now I am worried it's not going to work!

 

[MattM1124]

Thanks for the info so far and I'll definitely keep you all updated.

Another question, I know it's good to keep the ph at around 7-8 so the bacteria can grow. During this fishless cycle if the ph drops under 6 should I do a partial water change or just add the PH up stuff?

aim to keep the PH betwen 6-8

any less i'd start to worry lol

aka have you tried using peat to keep the ph down?

I actually don't have a problem with keeping the ph down. The problem I had in my last tank was trying to keep the ph up. It would keep dropping to under 6. I started to use ph up to get it back around 7.

Hey, I'm doing my first fishless cycle as well. Good luck to you. I'm on day three right now.

I was under the impression not to worry about the ph while cycling.. hmm.


btw, my condolences on being a Steelers fan

Thanks, good luck to you as well. The ph definitely matters. I found out the hard way with my last tank that when the ph drops under 6 the bacteria stops growing. Plus I read that in the forum which confirmed it lol.

ps. Sorry to hear your not a Steelers fan. Who do you like?