My "add And Wait" Fishless Cycle Diary :)

[Tropical_Noobie]

Yep. Well established tanks will have really good bacteria which hopefully (not always) will help the cycle.

They'll also help turn the ammonia into nitrite remember. Once your nitrite starts going to 0 in 24 hours after adding the nitrite, you'll be back to putting 5ppm in the tank to get the whole colony of bacteria strong.

edit:

here is one of the reasons for using 3ppm

"In fact, 3ppm -is- a good dosing level for the nitrite spike phase of the fishless cycle (to lessen the overall nitrogen going in) but 5ppm are better for the first and third phases, before and after the nitrite spike."

Why is 5ppm better for the first and last phase? it develops big colonies of bacteria so that when you do at fish, there will be so much bacteria its less likely you'll have a 'mini cycle'

Ok I didn't know that I would be adding 5 ppm again once my Nitrite starts going to 0 in 24 hours. (Thanks for pointing that out )

Nice edit by the way. It is clear now!

Clint.

 

[PDSimon]

I think it helps to hide the later phases until people start to understand more. It can be all confusing in one go and I'm not very good at explaining either.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

I think it helps to hide the later phases until people start to understand more. It can be all confusing in one go and I'm not very good at explaining either.

Confused thats my nick name

Just one more question Si if you don't mind?

Where abouts would I put the Mature media in my filter? ~~WD~~ did tell me match fine corse media for the same etc but I cannot recall if I put it above or below it? If that makes sense!

1) TetraTec CR Ceramic Filter Rings remove large particles of waste, and help to even out the flow of water through the filter. They can be cleaned with tap water and do not need regular replacement.

2) TetraTec BF Biological Filter Foam doubles as a media for removing finer particles of solid waste, as well as providing a high surface area for bacterial activity. To operate the foams purely as a mechanical media for solid waste removal, clean them under tap water as necessary. To maximise their biological activity, clean them in a jug of aquarium water. Our recommendation is to use foam 2.a. as a mechanical media, leaving foams 2.b. as biological ones.

3) TetraTec BB Bio Filter Balls are a specific biological media, providing an excellent environment for friendly bacteria to break down ammonia into harmless nitrate. Because they are not too porous they allow a good flow of water through them, which ensures that all the bacteria receive a supply of oxygen and nutrients. This keeps them working effectively, and avoids ‘dead areas’. Clean in aquarium water only, as and when necessary.

4) TetraTec CF Carbon removes organic contaminants, reduces odours, and prevents the water from going yellow. Its use will keep the water looking like new, as well as improving its quality for your fish. Carbon should be replaced every 4 to 6 weeks, as over time it becomes saturated.

5) TetraTec FF Filter Floss reliably removes very fine particles of waste, thus helping to give the water leaving the filter a final ‘polish’. This, coupled with the carbon, ensures the aquarium remains crystal clear. TetraTec FF Filter Floss should be replaced when it becomes dirty.

Edit: What way dose the water come in? I take it in is down?

Clint.

 

[PDSimon]

i'm not sure I just bunged mine in the only place it'd fit

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

i'm not sure I just bunged mine in the only place it'd fit

K no problem I'm sure ~~WD~~ will pop along sometime soon and advise!

I Think ~~WD~~ said I should place the media below the same corse media in the direction of water flow!

Speak tomorrow now Si, I'm up early tomorrow as I have to go up North to collect my Media.

Clint.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Just an update:

5 year old Mature Media now in the filter plus I had some extra media which I washed in my tank (nice black water now lol) Lets hope the bacteria will take?

I will water test latter at 2200 and see what is going on in my tank.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

MY FISHLESS "ADD & WAIT" CYCLE.

Day 1:

Time: 2200 Date:6th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

Day 2:

Time: 2200 Date:7th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 3:

Time: 2200 Date:8th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 4:

Time: 2200 Date:9th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 5:

Time: 2200 Date:10th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 6:

Time: 2220 Date:11th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 7:

Time: 2200 Date:12th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.50 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 8:

Time: 2200 Date:13th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: 0.25 ppm (This was a dodgy test) :stupid:

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 9:

Time: 2200 Date:14th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 10:

Time: 2200 Date:15th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm (Dropped again)

Nitrite: inbetween 0.25 & 0 ppm Looks Grey to me! (Any comment on this?)

I am now adding 1.8ml Ammonia. (3 ppm) daily

Day 11:

Time: 2200 Date:16th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Day 12:

Time: 2200 Date:17th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: +5 ppm Off the scale

 

[PDSimon]

It doesn't say you've added ammonia. Is that just cos you forgot to write it in?

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

It doesn't say you've added ammonia. Is that just cos you forgot to write it in?

Lol

I just made an edit stating "I am now adding 1.8ml Ammonia. (3 ppm)" Talk about weird!

 

[OldMan47]

Just put the mature media in the basket you have marked as number 1. It will put the media right into the filter flow path and if any bacteria start to move around by coming loose from the mature media the first thing it will run into is another stage of media where it can get established and grow.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Just put the mature media in the basket you have marked as number 1. It will put the media right into the filter flow path and if any bacteria start to move around by coming loose from the mature media the first thing it will run into is another stage of media where it can get established and grow.

Would you belive that is where I put the Mature Media oldman47. (Lucky for me ) It was the same coarseness as the Media I recieved.(Tip from ~~waterdrop~~)

The filter is doing it's job and the water is clearing now, so hopefully the little critters are enjoying the Ammonia I am feeding them on and mutiplying like Crazy

Thanks also for popping in on my Thread.

Clint.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, everyone's right here. Si is correct that just the act of getting mature media somewhere inside the filter (regardless of where in the filter it is) is much more important than if it sat out in the tank or something. But as long as you have the choice of where to put it then OM47 and I are just trying to help it be optimized by having in earlier in path of water flow before the prime biological media. The idea is that bits of debris with bacteria or individual bacterial cells that drop off the mature media will go a short distance with the flow and then be caught by your biological media, where they will begin a new colony spot. Great news that you've managed some mature media!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Yes, everyone's right here. Si is correct that just the act of getting mature media somewhere inside the filter (regardless of where in the filter it is) is much more important than if it sat out in the tank or something. But as long as you have the choice of where to put it then OM47 and I are just trying to help it be optimized by having in earlier in path of water flow before the prime biological media. The idea is that bits of debris with bacteria or individual bacterial cells that drop off the mature media will go a short distance with the flow and then be caught by your biological media, where they will begin a new colony spot. Great news that you've managed some mature media!

~~waterdrop~~

Loverly ~~WD~~ just what I wanted to hear!

You will have to stop praising that PDsimon ~~WD~~ as he is having trouble getting through doors frames now!

I am a little late posting tonight due to my ISP crashing but my results of the test are the same as yesterday...

Clint.

MY FISHLESS "ADD & WAIT" CYCLE.

Day 1:

Time: 2200 Date:6th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

Day 2:

Time: 2200 Date:7th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 3:

Time: 2200 Date:8th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 4:

Time: 2200 Date:9th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 5:

Time: 2200 Date:10th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 6:

Time: 2220 Date:11th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 7:

Time: 2200 Date:12th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.50 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 8:

Time: 2200 Date:13th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: 0.25 ppm (This was a dodgy test) :stupid:

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 9:

Time: 2200 Date:14th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 10:

Time: 2200 Date:15th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm (Dropped again)

Nitrite: inbetween 0.25 & 0 ppm Looks Grey to me! (Any comment on this?)

I am now adding 1.8ml Ammonia. (3 ppm) daily

Day 11:

Time: 2200 Date:16th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Day 12:

Time: 2200 Date:17th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: +5 ppm Off the scale

Day 13:

Time: 2200 Date:18th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: +5 ppm Off the scale

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

MY FISHLESS "ADD & WAIT" CYCLE.

Day 1:

Time: 2200 Date:6th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

Day 2:

Time: 2200 Date:7th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 3:

Time: 2200 Date:8th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH: "off the scale"

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 4:

Time: 2200 Date:9th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.25 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 5:

Time: 2200 Date:10th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 4.0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Day 6:

Time: 2220 Date:11th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH high: 8.00 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 7:

Time: 2200 Date:12th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0.50 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 8:

Time: 2200 Date:13th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: 0.25 ppm (This was a dodgy test) :stupid:

Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

Day 9:

Time: 2200 Date:14th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: 5.0 ppm

Day 10:

Time: 2200 Date:15th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm (Dropped again)

Nitrite: inbetween 0.25 & 0 ppm Looks Grey to me! (Any comment on this?)

I am now adding 1.8ml Ammonia. (3 ppm) daily

Day 11:

Time: 2200 Date:16th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Day 12:

Time: 2200 Date:17th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: +5 ppm Off the scale

Day 13:

Time: 2200 Date:18th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 7.8 ppm

Nitrite: +5 ppm Off the scale

Day 14:

Time: 2200 Date:19th May 2010

Temp: 84F/29C

Ammonia: 0 ppm

pH High: 8.0 ppm

Nitrite: Between 2.0 & 1.0 ppm

When I dropped in the test soluation for Nitrite's the colour went between 5.0 & 2.0 ppm and after 5 mins I would say it was between 2.0 & 1.0 ppm

We now have Nitrite movement or ? Or is it to early to tell?

pH is back up also !

When should I start testing for NitrAte's ?

Thanks for looking.

Clint.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Clint, Day 14 is probably too soon to be coming down off the nitrite spike, so we should remain suspicious about what this reduced nitrite reading might ultimately be. It could be that your nitrite is so high that you are getting weird readings. When the nitrite reagent is first dropped in to the test tube of tank water, do the drops turn a dark shiny color (like dark shiny purple, or a weird greenish or grayish?) That can be a way that the test shows that the nitrite level is too high for it to properly measure. And yes, its time to get a nitrate reading in there. Be sure to follow all the shaking instructions for -at least- as long as you are instructed. Its even good to whack the #2 reagent bottle against the edge of a table a few times before the testing process begins. It can get a sediment that sticks in clumps.

~~waterdrop~~