Seeding
- Thread starter oswoldy
- Start date
good point! 
KyzaSoze
New Member
What are you talking about by saying you were lucky enough to have been given half of someones filter media and two pieces of floss to help you speed up your cycle? Also, there will be plenty of nitrate in that gunk? My Fish-Tank has been up in Running since last Friday 6/3, is there a quicker way off quickening up the process? Just wanting to know as my m8 has the exact filter as i have if that helps?
paulbr1
Fish Crazy
Hi Kyza, are you doing a fishless cycle - its in the "new to the hobby"
The mature media is from another filter and will help speed your cycle up, but you want to have a good read in the above section - I learned loads in just a few hours of reading!
ps. dont buy any fish .............yet
The mature media is from another filter and will help speed your cycle up, but you want to have a good read in the above section - I learned loads in just a few hours of reading!
ps. dont buy any fish .............yet
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
No Mike, I'd have every expectation that it'll be significantly faster, its just that its much better to -behave- as if its a normal fishless cycle that could take that long. I'd say the mature media donations usually "take" or "seed" correctly about 80% of the time. ...But optimism is very helpful for patience!
~~waterdrop~~
Yeah, I agree with Paul. Fire up your own thread Kyza, even if its just to say you are here and are starting to read the pinned articles. You've come to the right place.
Hi
I removed the 2 extra pieces of floss earlier so now only have the piece of mature media. Since removing the floss my tank has visibly cleared quite a bit in the last 2 hours.
Could I have been over working my filter?
Mike
I removed the 2 extra pieces of floss earlier so now only have the piece of mature media. Since removing the floss my tank has visibly cleared quite a bit in the last 2 hours.
Could I have been over working my filter?
Mike
Also I have just tested again and my Ammonia is still 4 for the 6th day?!?! When your testing with the API test kit are you supposed to look through the tube while holding it against the white card OR are you supposed to remove the lid and look down it while it is on the card??? I am doing it the first way.
Mike
Mike
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
You just hold it lengthwise against the white area like you're doing. Always use the same bright light and hold it the same distance, ideally with the light between you and the test you are holding (I use a small portable spotlamp type thing for this.) Its meant to be somewhat general of course and eventually you'll get the hang of it. Beginners always worry excessively about it. Dutifully recording day after day is more important than judging the color down to fractions.
With the adding of the extra mature media sponges to your existing filter, yes, it is possible to clog up the flow that the designer intended if you stuff sponge into an area that was originally intended to be open. Its better to cut a section of existing sponge with scissors in such a way that the replacement sponge fits reasonably tightly and is in an intended place within the filter -- hope that helps a little for figuring it out - its a case by case thing as they're all different.
Re the 4ppm still hanging there on day 6, don't sweat it - there are people who've had to wait 2 weeks for the first 5ppm to drop to zero - that's just the way it is. If you were able to search back and find one of the previous beginners who used a graphing feature, you can often see this same long slow curve (ammonia on vertical axis, days on horizontal axis) for the first week or two and then a variable phase before finally settling into a fast zig-zag of up-down where ammonia is added and clears within 24 hours.
~~waterdrop~~
With the adding of the extra mature media sponges to your existing filter, yes, it is possible to clog up the flow that the designer intended if you stuff sponge into an area that was originally intended to be open. Its better to cut a section of existing sponge with scissors in such a way that the replacement sponge fits reasonably tightly and is in an intended place within the filter -- hope that helps a little for figuring it out - its a case by case thing as they're all different.
Re the 4ppm still hanging there on day 6, don't sweat it - there are people who've had to wait 2 weeks for the first 5ppm to drop to zero - that's just the way it is. If you were able to search back and find one of the previous beginners who used a graphing feature, you can often see this same long slow curve (ammonia on vertical axis, days on horizontal axis) for the first week or two and then a variable phase before finally settling into a fast zig-zag of up-down where ammonia is added and clears within 24 hours.
~~waterdrop~~
KyzaSoze
New Member
Hiya, I'm just doing a fishless cycle. As a mentioned last night, its been up n running since last Friday. Was putting a pinch of food in everyday since, up until last night after reading some quotes on these Forums i've put about 6 pinches of food in, as i read that putting alot of food in was also good at the start to help boost the procees. The temperture was at 24c (75F) up until last night, like a said reading some quotes last night that has now been put up to 30c (mid to late 80's Farenheit) read this was good too at the start. How long should i keep the temp at 30c? Read about getting some Armonia (95% Armonia, 5% water... no chemicals etc,) from Boots the chemist, no joy with that! woman didn't know what a was talking about, thinking about putting a little bit of pee-pee in it, is that considered to be ok??? Also told by the LFS that after my 1st 7 days i could start to put some fishes in - Tiger Barbs from the shop as these were hardy.
KyzaSoze
New Member
Hiya, I'm just doing a fishless cycle. As a mentioned last night, its been up n running since last Friday. Was putting a pinch of food in everyday since, up until last night after reading some quotes on these Forums i've put about 6 pinches of food in, as i read that putting alot of food in was also good at the start to help boost the procees. The temperture was at 24c (75F) up until last night, like a said reading some quotes last night that has now been put up to 30c (mid to late 80's Farenheit) read this was good too at the start. How long should i keep the temp at 30c? Read about getting some Armonia (95% Armonia, 5% water... no chemicals etc,) from Boots the chemist, no joy with that! woman didn't know what a was talking about, thinking about putting a little bit of pee-pee in it, is that considered to be ok??? Also told by the LFS that after my 1st 7 days i could start to put some fishes in - Tiger Barbs from the shop as these were hardy.
Sorry how do i go about firing up my own Thread as you mentioned?
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
Hi there Kyza,
When you are looking at all the different people's subjects in the "New to the Hobby" forum, look at the uppermost right and you will see a "New Topic" button. That's how you start a topic (thread) of your own.
Yes, good that you have raised your temperature and are starting the attempt to find pure household ammonia. Trying to fishless cycle with fish food is very difficult and uncontrolled and sometimes leaves people in complete frustration. The problem is that there's a large delay while the fishfood is broken down by hetertrophic bacteria in the water (completely different from the autotrophic bacteria we are trying to grow in the filter) and the level of ammonia is almost completely out of control, which causes even more problems.
Having the LFS tell you that you can put fish in after 7 days is the classic major problem we end up trying to help dozens of people solve every month or two here. Its terrible advice, causing you to be put in what we call a "Fish-in Cycling Situation" and leaving you with no option but major daily water changes, or sometimes multiple changes a day.
The ammonia you want is not 95%amm. 5%water, its the other way 'round, mostly water with usually less than 10% ammonia, technically called aqueous ammonia (ammonia normally is a gas.) The members in Scotland will be the best help about places to try. Its usually with the mops and brooms and ideally if you can see it you want to shake it and make sure it just bubbles like water, without significant foam. That's because you don't want any surfactants, dyes or fragrances in it. It can be like a detective game finding the right stuff. Sometimes the store workers have even been instructed not to tell people where it is because apparently it can be used for other bad purposes or something.
~~waterdrop~~
When you are looking at all the different people's subjects in the "New to the Hobby" forum, look at the uppermost right and you will see a "New Topic" button. That's how you start a topic (thread) of your own.
Yes, good that you have raised your temperature and are starting the attempt to find pure household ammonia. Trying to fishless cycle with fish food is very difficult and uncontrolled and sometimes leaves people in complete frustration. The problem is that there's a large delay while the fishfood is broken down by hetertrophic bacteria in the water (completely different from the autotrophic bacteria we are trying to grow in the filter) and the level of ammonia is almost completely out of control, which causes even more problems.
Having the LFS tell you that you can put fish in after 7 days is the classic major problem we end up trying to help dozens of people solve every month or two here. Its terrible advice, causing you to be put in what we call a "Fish-in Cycling Situation" and leaving you with no option but major daily water changes, or sometimes multiple changes a day.
The ammonia you want is not 95%amm. 5%water, its the other way 'round, mostly water with usually less than 10% ammonia, technically called aqueous ammonia (ammonia normally is a gas.) The members in Scotland will be the best help about places to try. Its usually with the mops and brooms and ideally if you can see it you want to shake it and make sure it just bubbles like water, without significant foam. That's because you don't want any surfactants, dyes or fragrances in it. It can be like a detective game finding the right stuff. Sometimes the store workers have even been instructed not to tell people where it is because apparently it can be used for other bad purposes or something.
~~waterdrop~~
KyzaSoze
New Member
Hi there Kyza,
When you are looking at all the different people's subjects in the "New to the Hobby" forum, look at the uppermost right and you will see a "New Topic" button. That's how you start a topic (thread) of your own.
Yes, good that you have raised your temperature and are starting the attempt to find pure household ammonia. Trying to fishless cycle with fish food is very difficult and uncontrolled and sometimes leaves people in complete frustration. The problem is that there's a large delay while the fishfood is broken down by hetertrophic bacteria in the water (completely different from the autotrophic bacteria we are trying to grow in the filter) and the level of ammonia is almost completely out of control, which causes even more problems.
Having the LFS tell you that you can put fish in after 7 days is the classic major problem we end up trying to help dozens of people solve every month or two here. Its terrible advice, causing you to be put in what we call a "Fish-in Cycling Situation" and leaving you with no option but major daily water changes, or sometimes multiple changes a day.
The ammonia you want is not 95%amm. 5%water, its the other way 'round, mostly water with usually less than 10% ammonia, technically called aqueous ammonia (ammonia normally is a gas.) The members in Scotland will be the best help about places to try. Its usually with the mops and brooms and ideally if you can see it you want to shake it and make sure it just bubbles like water, without significant foam. That's because you don't want any surfactants, dyes or fragrances in it. It can be like a detective game finding the right stuff. Sometimes the store workers have even been instructed not to tell people where it is because apparently it can be used for other bad purposes or something.
~~waterdrop~~
Cool m8 thanks, tried another few stores today for the ammonia stuff still no joy. I was askin the other day about the gunk from a filter how do i go about getting that? or would i be better getting a handful of gravel from a mates tank n puttin that in a stocking n helping the tank along that way? Would you advise putting a few no more than 4 Tiger Barbs in at least tomorrow or Saturday maybe, went into the LFS today n seen some Convicts ah bless the cute little f.cukers, gonna get 2 when the tanks ready for them... would they be ok with a Bumblebee Goby in the tank? Just read get 1 of the Gobies as they're territorial with each other but don't mind other species in the tank. Read about the Bumblebee Cichlid the 2 Cichlids ( Convicts beings the other ) cant be placed together as they are foreign to each other and don't understand each others terrorities, leading to chaos
Hmmmmm now im getting worried day 8 of Ammonia at 4PPM and still no drop! Im getting worried as there is still only 10 NitrATE no NitrITE and 4 Ammonia can the mature filter media I have had for 4 days survive on only Ammonia as I dont want it to die off and for it to be a waste of time
?
Mike
?Mike
KyzaSoze
New Member
Hi there Kyza,
When you are looking at all the different people's subjects in the "New to the Hobby" forum, look at the uppermost right and you will see a "New Topic" button. That's how you start a topic (thread) of your own.
Yes, good that you have raised your temperature and are starting the attempt to find pure household ammonia. Trying to fishless cycle with fish food is very difficult and uncontrolled and sometimes leaves people in complete frustration. The problem is that there's a large delay while the fishfood is broken down by hetertrophic bacteria in the water (completely different from the autotrophic bacteria we are trying to grow in the filter) and the level of ammonia is almost completely out of control, which causes even more problems.
Having the LFS tell you that you can put fish in after 7 days is the classic major problem we end up trying to help dozens of people solve every month or two here. Its terrible advice, causing you to be put in what we call a "Fish-in Cycling Situation" and leaving you with no option but major daily water changes, or sometimes multiple changes a day.
The ammonia you want is not 95%amm. 5%water, its the other way 'round, mostly water with usually less than 10% ammonia, technically called aqueous ammonia (ammonia normally is a gas.) The members in Scotland will be the best help about places to try. Its usually with the mops and brooms and ideally if you can see it you want to shake it and make sure it just bubbles like water, without significant foam. That's because you don't want any surfactants, dyes or fragrances in it. It can be like a detective game finding the right stuff. Sometimes the store workers have even been instructed not to tell people where it is because apparently it can be used for other bad purposes or something.
~~waterdrop~~
Cool m8 thanks, tried another few stores today for the ammonia stuff still no joy. I was askin the other day about the gunk from a filter how do i go about getting that? or would i be better getting a handful of gravel from a mates tank n puttin that in a stocking n helping the tank along that way? Would you advise putting a few no more than 4 Tiger Barbs in at least tomorrow or Saturday maybe, went into the LFS today n seen some Convicts ah bless the cute little f.cukers, gonna get 2 when the tanks ready for them... would they be ok with a Bumblebee Goby in the tank? Just read get 1 of the Gobies as they're territorial with each other but don't mind other species in the tank. Read about the Bumblebee Cichlid the 2 Cichlids ( Convicts beings the other ) cant be placed together as they are foreign to each other and don't understand each others terrorities, leading to chaos
Since Tuesday my water has become a very misty lookin tank, thats it only been up and running 7 days, so done a 50% - 60% water change, still lookin misty, hope to see an improvement for the morning. Managed to get a handful off (MATURE FILTER)-gravel from a mates Matured Tank, so thats in the end of a stocking and nestling nicely bang centre at the bottom of my tank hopefully giving it a kick start.
waterdrop
Enthusiastic "Re-Beginner"
It does seem possible that the mature media either did not survive or that the bacteria has survived at such a slow rate that their processing has not reached the detectable range for the ammonia test yet. The A-Bacs (ammonia oxidizing bacteria) can be muliplying in the 10's of thousands and not be detectable. You've got to get up into the millions, or something like that before they process enough for us to see. Remember that I said it sometimes takes up to two weeks for people to see the first drop-down of ammonia, so 8 days is not there yet.Hmmmmm now im getting worried day 8 of Ammonia at 4PPM and still no drop! Im getting worried as there is still only 10 NitrATE no NitrITE and 4 Ammonia can the mature filter media I have had for 4 days survive on only Ammonia as I dont want it to die off and for it to be a waste of time
Mike
I assume we've got good flow through the filter. We've got good disturbance of the tank surface. We've got the temperature up at 84F/29C and the pH is somewhere between 7 and 8.5 and all water going into the tank originally was conditioned (treated with a product to remove chlorine or chloramines.)
~~waterdrop~~
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
315 -
178 -
172 -
156 -
138 -
128 -
113 -
106 -
91 -
83 -
78 -
77 -
76 -
53 -
A
51