Not Another Fishless Cycle Journal?!

[waterdrop]

Pretty bad. Have you been exploring any ways of finding mature media from someone? Over the years we have had a few people who have just had a terrible time and none of us could figure out why. It happens sometimes. Maybe someone else will have some new ideas we should check on.

WD

 

[nehpets81]

Day 42

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 43

Ammonia 4ppm

The water change and addition of fish food seemed to have little effect.

I have started trying to source some mature media - I've contacted the person who is listed under London in the relevant part of this site and I have a blog of this fiasco which has had a comment on it from someone who may be willing to donate some. That might be my best option.

Also, is it time to take out the poly/carbon pads? Last time I asked I was advised against this as there was concern there might be some bacteria seeded on them but that looks unlikely now. Also, it was mentioned that they also filter out physical particles and the like. They are two thin pads (black on one side, which I assume is where the Carbon used to be) that fit infront of the main white sponges. Maybe just take one out? Pointless operation?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

If you are lucky enough to get hold of some donated media (the best way, i have found) then depending on the amount you are given i would sit on the idea of installing a small external filter for the mature media. Add with that the media that is currently in your internal filter, then maybe some brand new Bio-Max or Sponge/wool and you'll have far more options once it does finally 'complete', which is what i am hoping to do.

I added mature media to my Fluval 205 filter on my 110L sand substrate tank (not sure if they do a smaller version?)upon set-up and the fishless cycle is running along nicely (but don't get me started on 'Tannis' )

I shall keep a close eye on this thread, best of luck with it nehpets

Terry.

 

[nehpets81]

Thanks Terry, I think I need it!

Day 44

Ammonia: 4ppm


I am definitely going to try and source some mature media from someone. Also, it seems the external filters may be the way forward as they seem to get some good recommendations and the must be easier to maintain. A few hours till my next test. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[nehpets81]

Day 45

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 46

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 47

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 48

Ammonia 3ppm - can't be, surely?! Let's check the nitrite...
Nitrite 0ppm

#41####!

IF nothing has changed today I'm going to fling some cycle aid in. I NEED to see some light green!

 

[nehpets81]

Well I have done a few things to the tank over the last few days to keep myself interested and try and get something to happen.

Day 49:
Ammonia 4ppm. Added some Nutrafin Cycle I had lying around. I wonder if this will do anything? I also removed one poly/carbon pad.

Day 50:

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 51:

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 52:

Ammonia 4ppm


(I'm glad I'm not relying on this particular cycle aid to remove Ammonia in an emergency situation...)

Day 53:
Ammonnia 4ppm.

This was yesterday and after this reading I did a 75% water change and took out a rock I had in the tank for some time. After dripping some Nitrate tester on it, it fizzed like crazy so it is now sat well away from my tank.

 

[nehpets81]

Well, it's all change since last time! Figures below:

Day 54:
Ammonia 4
Nitrite 0

Day 55:
Ammonia 2-3
Nitrite 0.5


Also on day 55 I received some mature media from a kind person who read my blog. This was added after taking the above readings so I'm not allowing myself to get too excitied as I've been here before but I'm cautiously optomistic about this now. So, I wonder what caused the reduction? Due to my impatience I may never know for sure but this is what I have done recently:

1. Added Nutrafin cycle
2. Removed a poly/carbon pad
3. Added fish food
4. Conducted a 75% waterchange (I did not match temp this time and just added cold water)
5. Removed one rock


Now, technically I think No. 4 above should have had the biggest effect, but the reduction happened only about 48 hours after the water change. For some reason I also can't shake the feeling that No. 2 had an effect too. Of course it could just have been the right time for the bacteria to start working...

 

[nehpets81]

Well things have been moving in the right direction over the past few days, here are the readings:

Day 56:
Ammonia 1.5ppm
Nitrite 0.3ppm

Day 57:

Ammonia 1ppm
Nitrite 0.2ppm

Day 58:

Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

Day 59:

Ammonia 0.3ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

Day 60:

Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm.

I'm not leaving it on 0.25ppm again so added Ammonia up to 4ppm

Ammonia 4ppm

Day 61:

Ammonia 2ppm
Nitrite 1ppm

Day 62

Ammonia 0.4ppm
Nitrite 0.2ppm
Nitrate 20ppm - doesn't seem like much?
ph 8.1


So, that's where I am now... both Ammonia and Nitrite seem to be processed at similar speeds so I'm cautiously optomistic. I am surprised the Nitrite is so low but I'm willing to put that down to inadequete shaking (my arm was starting to ache) for now...

 

[nehpets81]

Well it's been a while since I last posted. The last week or so has been like this:

Day 63
Ammonia 0.2
Nitrite 0

Added Ammonia up to 4ppm

Day 64
Ammonia 1.5
Nitrite 0.3

Day 65
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0

Added Ammonia up to 3ppm

Day 66
Ammonia 0.4
Nitrite 0

Day 67
Ammonia 0.1
Nitrite 0

Added Ammonia to 4ppm

Day 68
Ammonia 0.7
Nitrite 1

Day 69
Ammonia 0.1
Nitrite 0

Added Ammonia to 4ppm

Day 70
Ammonia 0.8
Nitrite 0.7

Day 71
Ammonia 0.2
Nitrite 0

Added Ammonia to 4ppm

Day 72
Ammonia 0.8
Nitrite 0.25


Incidently I tested the hardness of the tank water today, the results were:

KH: 9-10
GH - Off the scale - it took 17 drops which if I extrapolate the figures seems to suggest it is about 300! Is this something I should be worried about?