My Fishless Cycle

[Twinklecaz]

I think it was just impatience making me want to do that now. I will however prob do a big water change either tomorrow or Sunday just to see if it kicks it to the finish.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ammonia is 0 at 12 hours today but Nitrite still 0.25.

My PH has dropped a bit again so I've dosed some more bicarb and also added some more Prime just to see if it helps.......hope that's ok is it?

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ewww my tank does seriously need a big water change. Just switched the light on for the first time in ages and it's FILTHY! How can it get like this with no fish in it, I don't get it?


Also, the surface of the water has floating on it loads of what I can only describe as "gold dust". Does anyone know what it is?

 

[JoshuaA]

Ewww my tank does seriously need a big water change. Just switched the light on for the first time in ages and it's FILTHY! How can it get like this with no fish in it, I don't get it?


Also, the surface of the water has floating on it loads of what I can only describe as "gold dust". Does anyone know what it is?

The filth could be a lot of bio matter from the bacteria, the gold dust I have no idea?

 

[Twinklecaz]

lol it's very bizarre. I had stuff floating before but it was white

 

[JoshuaA]

lol it's very bizarre. I had stuff floating before but it was white

Have you used Bicarb? That could explain the white. We used it for the first time about 4/5 days ago. pH has stayed 8 perfectly since, was very impressed.

 

[waterdrop]

Its normal for fishless cycling to be a big mess of one sort or another in your tank. Its part of the process of going from a bunch of inorganic materials and equipment straight to an operational natural environment. Its really kind of amazing when you think about it as now forming something that really starts to mimic the outdoors.

And after the big water change with fish and plants added, it will work toward what to me is that magic moment about six months down the road where one day you look at the the thing and its just so crystal and healthy its hard to believe.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Twinklecaz]

WD, I can't wait!

Joshua yeah have done a few times. God I just wanna clean the thing now I know how dirty it is lol.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Right before I do this big water change today 2 questions:

1. Will it be ok to just put my sand in? I'm not gonna do the plants and stuff yet anymore but will it hinder the cycle if I take out the gravel and put a new substrate in?

2. Shall I rinse my filter sponges (in the tank water obv) or will that hinder the cycle too? Just Im thinking it's been 2 months now and if I had the fish in there that would have been done like twice.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Im just bumping this up coz I never got to do my water change today so figure I may aswell find out the answers before I do

 

[PDSimon]

1. yes its fine imo
2. I havn't but maybe I should? would like to know too

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hiyaaaaaaaaaa!

Thanks. I hope to do it tomorrow but I am hindered at every corner of my life


Not long now, we'll both have fish

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ok should I be concerened about this, a couple of times when I've done my tests I've noticed a slight bleach type smell.Is this normal? Interestingly it seems to happen when both my Nitrite is nearly clear but not quite.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I've just done my water and substate change. God it really was filthy brown alge everywhere! I like the look of the sand except for the bits of bogwood all over it

One thing though, I'm a little concerned about my fitler. I switched it back on about half hour ago and it's making a noise almost like bubbling would....except I don't have it bubbling. It's definitely a water noise. Why's this?

 

[PDSimon]

Maybe air trapped? not sure.

not sure about the bleach smell...sure it isn't the ammonia you've just dosed?