My Fishless Cycling With A Twist!

[waterdrop]

 

[Efren]

Okey - here we go again..

DAY 4

i've noticed that there's a change with my ammonia reading -
so i decided to check the NitrITES today - -and yup 0.25

*could anobody comment on these: Are the readings NORMAL?*

 

[minxfishy]

Small drop, I wouldnt say the nitrites are quite at 0.25 yet, maybe just a trace - although I could be seeing it wrong, on my API 0.25 is a definately lilac colour.

But going in the right direction - and with ammonia processing even just a tiny amount its a good start.

Edit: Actually looking at it, it does seem to read 0.25!!! Strange as on my test kit the 0.25 is a lilac colour not blue! My 0.25 is the next colour up that you have 0.50! Must have changed the kits.

 

[Efren]

it's good to know that i'm on the right track
and you're right - very small drop on ammonia- -
actually i found this method (fishless cycling) kinda cool - -
good thing i'm not getting BORED with the waiting - -"YET"

it's only 4days and runnin' so - don't want to conclude that i can
stand the wait.. but so far so good - -

and hey - -great stuff-- i'm learning a lot as i go along -

 

[Efren]

Edit: Actually looking at it, it does seem to read 0.25!!! Strange as on my test kit the 0.25 is a lilac colour not blue! My 0.25 is the next colour up that you have 0.50! Must have changed the kits.

strange indeed - -
but IMO - the color pattern in my chart makes sense - -
cause after Lilac (which is 0.50) is somewhat like a darker Lilac - (which is 1.0)
it wouldn't make sense if its- *lilac - blueish - darker lilac*

well hope it doesn't matter that much-
cause 0.0 nitrITES is what matters most on the end - -

 

[Efren]

Day 5

I was excited to check the test today - - *don't know why*
I've got a very small drop in ammonia yesterday - -"small" -nearly nothin'"

Then here goes the Test today - - I'm gonna check it again somewhere around 12noon today

i've got a dramatic drop in ammonia it's spot on 1.0
i'm about to check nitrITES -

edit: here's the NITRITE result:

DAY 5 - - niL

 

[minxfishy]

Looks like you will need to top up to 5ppm of ammonia tomorrow morning all being well.

The nitrite reading you got yesterday could have been false (happens sometimes), but as the ammonia is processing you should start to see it rise over the next couple of days.

Once ammonia gets to 0 then just remember to top it up to 5ppm.

Looking Good

Have you used the bactinetes you bought or not?

 

[Axleuk]

Looks like you will need to top up to 5ppm of ammonia tomorrow morning all being well.

The nitrite reading you got yesterday could have been false (happens sometimes), but as the ammonia is processing you should start to see it rise over the next couple of days.

Once ammonia gets to 0 then just remember to top it up to 5ppm.

Looking Good

Have you used the bactinetes you bought or not?

BUSTED!! lol

 

[Efren]

hello minxfishy - my bad.. can't stand peer pessure
i'm not intending to put fish straight away though - -still observing the stats..

okey here are the photos taken yesterday- got tempted to use
there's no harm tryin new stuff anyway - -(that's one way of learning IMo)

What i did: i took of the Filter(those colored sponges)

then: here's the "magic juice" *read someone used that name for it* (a bit unreasonable IMO)

next: i placed it in between filters and wait for nearly 24hrs to check the reading.

i'll check it again later - cause i put it around 12noon yesterday.

 

[minxfishy]

Hey no harm in using it, so long as you keep up the fishless cycle part before adding the fish.

That may well be why you are no longer seeing nitrites though

Just do me a favour, even if you see no ammonia by tomorrow, keep up the fishless cycle for at least 2 weeks to be absolutely sure before adding the fish - I would hate for you to go through the stress of dying fish if it backfires.

Keep posting your results though, its a good example for those thinking of using 'magic juice' to follow

 

[Efren]

thanks minxfishy - -you've been very helpful and understanding -
i'll keep posting my results, and about the Fishless part - i can assure you that.

everytime i get a 0 reading of ammonia - i'll raise it up (let's say 4-5) - and well let the "magic juice" do it's wonder LOL
i can add the ammonia today.. just want one more reading - - cause the LFS people assure me of 0 ammonia and nitrite in
24hrs time frame - -so i want to see how true that is.. (cause it's just been roughly 16-17hrs) when i conducted the test.



so far so good though..

 

[minxfishy]

Well what little nitrite you had, its got rid of, had it been me, i would have let the nitrites rise to a high level and then added the juice just to see if it can convert it, without having seen a nitrite spike its hard to say.

But yep, up the ammonia to 5ppm and see how quickly it converts it, in a fishless cycle, your aim at the end of cycle is to convert both ammonia and nitrite to 0 in a 12 hour period.

 

[Efren]

one more:

how accurate is the API MASTER KIT?
cause i'm relying to it BIG TIME..

and i'm a bit cautious -like what you've said -
i didn't undergo nitrite spike at all--

*i shouldn't have explain the results to my wife - -she want the FISHes now*

-good thing i'm the BOSS- (i think ) LOL

 

[minxfishy]

The API is very accurate providing you follow the instructions to the letter. The only problems some people find is with the nitrAtes test kit as it is very specific in the instructions and the slightest deviation from them can lead to a false result.

I know she wants fishes now, just a little more patience please Mrs Efren, you want healthy happy fish, you dont want to come down every morning to floating, half eaten, rotting fishes now do you?

 

[Efren]

The API is very accurate providing you follow the instructions to the letter. The only problems some people find is with the nitrAtes test kit as it is very specific in the instructions and the slightest deviation from them can lead to a false result.

I know she wants fishes now, just a little more patience please Mrs Efren, you want healthy happy fish, you dont want to come down every morning to floating, half eaten, rotting fishes now do you?

well good to know 'bout the accuracy of the KIT. cheers!!!
and as far as wife's concern all she need is a diversion -to keep
away her mind on my tank - - LOL any ideas? (shoppin' is a NO)