Something's Fishy With My Fishless Cycle

[hotpink143]

Yesterday evening, I filled my 10 gallon tank. In it, there is a hang-on-back filter with a new carbon filter along with a snippet of some mature media. There's also the substrate and an air stone. Temp is stable at 81 F.

Also living in there are some Copedpods that sprung up while the tank sat fishless for 2 weeks, and some hitchhiker snails. No fish.

So, last night I did about 8 drops of pure ammonia. Tested it an hour later, Ammonia read at .25. I did not add anymore because I had put everything away, and just figured I would add more tomorrow.

Today, I test:

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 15, looks in between.

Haha, I'm shocked! It couldn't possibly have cycled already!! But, there's already a measurable amount of Nitrate with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite?

What's happened?

 

[surreykeeper]

Does your tap water contain nitrate? That might be where that reading's coming from.

 

[hotpink143]

Not sure, I'll test it.

 

[hotpink143]

Tap water tests at the same level for Nitrate. Around 15.

What does that mean? Is it a kick start for my cycling process, or is not the kind of Nitrate I need? (If that even makes sense).

 

[LionessN3cubs]

Tap water tests at the same level for Nitrate. Around 15.

What does that mean? Is it a kick start for my cycling process, or is not the kind of Nitrate I need? (If that even makes sense).

You dont need nitrate. Nitrate is the end result of the cycle. Ammonia turns to nitrIte, NitrIte turns into NitrAte. Thats why he asked if you had nitrAte in your tap water, which you do. Because you have NitrAte in your tap water, your tank has the exact amount tap does, means you didnt cycle.

IMO ...Im guessing that (and JUST a guess) you put such a minute amount of ammonia in the tank that once its all went through the filter ..its immeasurable now...wasn't enough in other words. Just a guess tho.

 

[hotpink143]

Ohhhhhhh. That makes sense.

My thinking was completely out of whack on this one.

Lol. Thanks all for your input.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Use the 'Aquarium Calculator' at the top right of this page to figure out how much Ammonia to add to your tank.

For a fishless cycle, you are looking at around 4-5 ppm of Ammonia you want to add to your tank every time you add Ammonia.

Also, raise the temperature up to 84 F, this is an optimal temp for the A-bacs to grow.

-FHM

 

[hotpink143]

Thanks!

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with Lioness's analysis.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[hotpink143]

Ok, it's getting even fishier now.

After reading the replies of this thread yesterday evening, I proceeded to add 1.8 mL of ammonia to the tank. Didn't test the levels again after that, I figured that was quite enough!

What do I get when I test ammonia this morning? 0 ammonia!

Didn't test for Nitrite or Nitrate though.

Again I ask, What's happening??

This same tank sat for 2 weeks after I moved my fish to bigger tank. It sat with the substrate, an inch of water, Several hitchhiker snails, and eventually some copepods sprung up. No filter going, no heater. Could any of that possibly have something to do with what's going on?

 

[fatheadminnow]

What do I get when I test ammonia this morning? 0 ammonia! I love this, my new favorite quote...lol.

There could of been some Autotrophic bacteria still on the substrate, but highly unlikely.

It looks like to me that your A-bacs are already processing the Ammonia.

Try to get a NitrIte reading, just to see for sure.

Also, after you add 1.8 ml of ammonia, wait for like 15 minutes and test for ammonia, just to make sure it is up near 4-5 ppm.

Looking good!

-FHM

 

[hotpink143]

Thanks for your reply!

Nitrite is at 0.

I added another 1.85 mL (roughly) of ammonia. I'll test in 15 minutes.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks for your reply!

Nitrite is at 0.

I added another 1.85 mL (roughly) of ammonia. I'll test in 15 minutes.

Your welcome!

Also test for NitrAte, just to see if the Ammonia really went to NitrIte, and then ultimately nitrAte.

Your Ammonia went somewhere, and I want to know where...lol.

Yup, check in 15 min to see where your Ammonia level is at.

EDIT: What kind of test kit are you using?

-FHM

 

[hotpink143]

Hmm, Ammonia only came out to 1.0

That's not enough, right? Should I add more?

Nitrite 0

Nitrate about 15 (it always fall a shade darker than 10 and a shade lighter than 20)

My tap water tests at the same level for Nitrate.

My test kit is API freshwater master test kit.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Okay, good test kit you got there!

Yes, you need to add up to 4-5 ppm of ammonia.

What is your % of Ammonia you are using?

I would go ahead and add 6 ml of ammonia, and please test again in 15 min to see where you are at.

Post your findings on here.

-FHM