My Fishless Cycle (Add And Wait Method)

[LondonguyJ]

I'm a bit confused about your blog, you've had loads of days of double 0's which look like they're for 24 hour tests. Why didn't you start doing 12 hour tests when you had completed doing 24 hour ones?

A few days of double 0's now presuming you've definately got double 0 after 12 hours today and you should get fish imo.

My apologies

I did a 12 hour test today and the day before yesterday and write *12 hour test* on the log. to try and make it more easily identifiable.

Note: I didn't add todays result until just now because I was waiting for the 24 hour mark to add ammonia and complete the test/adding for the day.

I have conducted an number of 12 hour tests my last was on day 55 But since I did not reach 12 hours did not post the result and instead wrote about it s a post.

I'm going to do a 13 hour test every day next week and will record it on my log as *12 hour test*

I think I just saw a new thread by you that said you had double zeros Londonguy. I think you may have discovered a flaw in your test or your test method. Since your readings are consistent and two other tests have independently confirmed that your nitrites are zero at about 12 hours, why are you waiting? Do your huge water change and get your first fish.

I don't think there is a flaw just that the nutrafin records nitrite differently. I have had a trace on nitrite at the 12 hour mark since day 55 and 0 in 13 hours some times at 12 hours and 20-30 minutes later.

 

[BethK]

Personally think you're going too deep with it, full water change and get your fish in

 

[LondonguyJ]

I have adjusted my temp to 28C and have added my grass mat and bog wood (yesterday) and today counted 6 shoots

The 6 shoots are barely noticeable and only viewable under the moonlights but they are there

I do not see my N-bacs processing any quicker than they have been for sometime and don't believe a lower temp will really affect their growth if they have reached capacity already.

Personally think you're going too deep with it, full water change and get your fish in

While I understand the point you're making I completely disagree. I would rather cycle for another two months as opposed to having a spike of nitrite or ammonia after I stock.

 

[PDSimon]

I never had double 0's but stocked at approx. 70 days because I felt it was a strong enough colony of bacteria which it certainly has been. No ammonia or nitrite issues at all. Obviously up to you but just so you know

I didn't even add anything in one go either, 2 bolivian rams...couple of days later, 8 kuhli loach. Couple of weeks later, 6 rummy nose, then 2 rummy nose the day after, then 2 cockatoo cichlids a week after that. All young fish though.

 

[LondonguyJ]

I never had double 0's but stocked at approx. 70 days because I felt it was a strong enough colony of bacteria which it certainly has been. No ammonia or nitrite issues at all. Obviously up to you but just so you know

I didn't even add anything in one go either, 2 bolivian rams...couple of days later, 8 kuhli loach. Couple of weeks later, 6 rummy nose, then 2 rummy nose the day after, then 2 cockatoo cichlids a week after that. All young fish though.

I'm adding my entire stock on fish day. I am buying from various non commercial (aka no chemicals used) breeders/hobbyists. My three honeys look gorgeous.

I want to make use of the bacs I've cultivated and honestly don't see the point in cycling only to lose your colonies by stocking a tiny amount.

My Green neon tetras and shrimp are the most susceptible to less than idea water parameters. If I have made a mistake then you'll know about it but I am quietly confident. Especially after Saturday's api and salifert nitrite readings.

 

[LondonguyJ]

So today I took the day out and got all the stock I planned to get. Swapped the garnet tetras for Diamonds because although they reduce the temperature range of my tank once I saw them schooling together, I simply had to have them.

According to the 4 stock calculator I've used I'm between 60-65% stocked. And my stock list is as follows

Note: My niece christened them all with nonsensical names

3 Honey gourami - (Banus, tree-lah, & Ferry-em)
2 Guppies - (Ploon and floss-striss)
8 Wild green neon tetras - leader of the pack is called pancine. (large female with round belly)
6 Diamond tetras
2 bumblebee and 2 Crystal red shrimp

My temp is a steady 25C

I had a lot of trouble getting the neons because until today I didn't know there were variants of the green neon and I really liked the look of what turned out to be "Wild green neons" and after several calls had to make a long detour.

I saw some beautiful black patties and might add them to my aquarium tomorrow depending on my stats (which should be double 0's) I will try and get some pics done and a vid taken but for now please enjoy the rather distant pic below

It looks quite scruffy at the moment but the design will change next week

 

[BethK]

welcome to the world of fish keeping

nice stocking list x

 

[Liverbird36]

Well done mate !!!! You got there in the end !!! Beautiful fish. I'm soooooooo envious of the Diamonds....gotta have me some....probably in a couple of months time when i've finished cycling AGAIN !!!!

 

[PDSimon]

Congrats, good to see this stocked! I've got diamond tetras too...lovely fish

You could add way more shrimp if you wanted btw...

Good luck

 

[LondonguyJ]

Cheers guys I really appreciate your comments


Went to my lfs and got a black platty with yellow fins. A balloon Molly 2 Ammano and 1 cherry shrimp (cheers for the advice pdsimon)

I'm now at 75% stocking level and am thinking about a new aquarium

Lol I have started a two week log (first page) just to see how the water parameters hold. And am paying particular interest to the nitrate test as thats the only way to record what my n and a bacs have been up to.

Umm what else...

Oh I was quite worried about this mornings test because I gave the fish daphnia and they didn't eat any of it so I had to spend ten minutes trawling the aquarium to collect the uneaten food and was worried that it might create a spike for all the daphnia I missed/settled.

J

 

[PDSimon]

I wouldn't worry about the overfeeding, I did it plenty of times and never experienced any spike. Its difficult to guage how much they'll eat. I'd be more worried that the fish aren't eating?

 

[BethK]

that's just too over cautious, if the don't eat it straight away, then leave the food in there and they will eventually eat it.

Personally,new fish in a new tank, i'd feed pellets or flake of your choice, once they start eating, then go onto frozen/live food.

it won't cause an ammonia spike, i never had an issue

 

[LondonguyJ]

Day 1 Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: Between 5-10ppm
Day 2 Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: Between 5-10ppm

I've just bought 6 more fish...

2 Female (at least I think they're females) red honey gouramies
1 Female Platy (total of two now)
2 ballon mollies (total of three)

According to the calculators I'm 93-95% stocked so perhaps for one crystal red cherry I think I'm done. By the way I blame pdsimon for saying I could go for 100%

I find it really interesting that my nitrates are still between 5-10ppm because when cycling, by day 2 (after each water change) my nitrates were 20pmm so as it stands I'm really confident I wont get a spike. But as I said before if I do then this forum will be the first to know about it.

J

 

[PDSimon]

I agree, cycling produces a lot of nitrate, I havn't been worried about my nitrates at all since adding fish.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Of all the fish I have the balloon's poop but I'm sure my stats will be 0 because I don't see how my fish could produce the equivalent of 10ml of pure ammonia.

As it stands I think I'm going to lose a lot of the a/n bacs because the waste produced wont be enough to feed them all.