My Fishless Cycle !

[kazc31]

As I'm ever eager to get this done an done right I thought I'd explain how I plan to go about my fishless cycle so as to make sure I have no confusions and if so any suggestions or comments may be very much appreciated!

Right so I have a 25 litre which has been running for well over a month! This evening I added 1.3MLS of ammonia to bring a reading of around 5ppm! But have recently been told by some helpful members on here that it be better to stick to 2-3ppm, So I'm planing on waiting for that first dip in ammonia then plan to bring it up to 3ppm. Remembering each night it remains at 3ppm until I go from that in the evening to 0ppm in 24 hours. Then check for nitrites remembering to bump the ammonia back up and wait until my nitrates go to 0ppm also.

Does this sound about right? Any comments, fantastic, and while I'm asking does any one know more about the change in ppm from 5 to 3? What's the sudden change lol!!

 

[Sophie]

Have you read the fishless cycle topic in the beginners section?

 

[kazc31]

Yeah have read through the beginners resource pages! Some people had seemed to get a little confused about it so was just making sure what iv processed in my mind is correct or if any one else had any further ideas!

 

[Sanjay]

Hi there.
I have been running a fishless cycle since the 28th April. I was dosing to 4ppm ammonia but changed it to 2ppm under the helpful advice by the guys on this forum.
The ammonia went from 4 to 0 in 10/12 hours after about 10 days but the nitrite went from being off the scale to 0 after 33 days.
I also did a 45 litre water change (I have a 46litre tank). It does take time but stick at it - it will be worth it in the long run.
Im not sure why the change from 4/5 ppm ammonia to 2ppm but i follow any advice given!!
Now my ammonia and nitrites are 0 after 10 hours and i am continuing the cycle for another week to make sure these readings are consistent.
Good luck with your fishless cycle!!

 

[kazc31]

Hello, thanks for sharing your experience! You must be glad your almost there! I don't mind waiting to be honest. Im enjoying just getting to know the hobby again and reading up on things, so once I'm ready for any fish I'm deffo confident with all required!! So what fish to you plan to keep?

 

[Sanjay]

Im enjoying all the research and learning everyone elses experiences.
Im thinking of either celestial pearl danios or male endlers along with a few red cherry shrimp.
The male endlers would certainly provide some colour and the celestial pearl danios ive been told only grow to an inch long so a group of 6/8 would be ideal for my size tank. To be honest, ive been reading up so much and now im almost there, im already thinking of a bigger tank in the future!!
What fish are you planning to keep??
(Sorry, i have a 54litre!)

 

[kazc31]

Nice, I've only a 25 litre so options limited really! I was thinking of a betta and some shrimps! My partners work friend is giving us a much larger tank, but I've not got a place to set it up at the mo! But Atleast I'll have it at hand for the near future as I really liked the idea of a sorrority of bettas! Good luck with yours!!

 

[Mamashack]

hi Kaz and

 to TFF!
A single male betta and shrimp would be great for a tank that size. It wouldn't be good to put anything else in there tbh.
Here's the link to a pinned thread on nano tank stocking - yours is a nano tank @ 25L.
Good luck with the cycle - stick with it even when it gets to the point where you feel all you do are water tests. If you want to get your ammonia level down straight away you could do a 50% water change to reduce it to 2.5% immediately instead of waiting for it to drop.

 

[kazc31]

Hi there. Thank you for your advise! I done a slight water change then checked the next day and it had gone down to around 3ppm so I'll see what it is again tonight! I'm guessing not much of a change but ya never know I guess! Iv had this tank going awhile now so seems a shame to ditch it so thought I'd stick with it for now and upgrade at a later date! Many thanks for the replies!

 

[Mamashack]

Oops! Looks like I forgot to actually paste the link so here it is now! lol
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/