Steve's Fishless Cycle

[steve26-2008]

Ok, thanks my mistake I have been dosing every 12 when the ammonia hits 0.

 

[Skins]

Tank tested ammonia 0 nitrite 5 9.00am

nitrite is going up and down. Do I need to dosed the tank every 12 or 24 hrs nitrite hasn't reach 0 yet. Nitrate going off the scale.

Hello Steve,
May i suggest with your nitrAtes getting high to keep a check on your pH, depending on your waters buffering capabilities(gH/kH)you could quite easily see a pH crash which can result in your cycle stalling. If your pH gets down to 6.8 or lower you can do one or two things to correct this, if this became the case then let myself or any of the other members know so you can get your cycle back on track.

Keith.

 

[steve26-2008]

Ph is normally 6.2, but I have been keeping this up temporary with bi carb just for the cycle.

 

[Skins]

Ph is normally 6.2, but I have been keeping this up temporary with bi carb just for the cycle.

Has your pH been holding up ok?

Keith.

 

[steve26-2008]

I have not let the ph drop I have been testing and add bi carb when needed.

 

[Aqua Tom]

It is looking very good Steve. Glad to see you keeping on top of the pH.

Just to be absolutely clear the dosing & testing should be as follows.


Dose Tank - Wait 12 Hours - Test Water - Wait 12 Hours - Dose Tank


& repeat


Sorry to sound like i am saying the obvious but i fell into the trap of missdosing on my cycle so dont want others to do the same.


Tom

 

[steve26-2008]

It is looking very good Steve. Glad to see you keeping on top of the pH.

Just to be absolutely clear the dosing & testing should be as follows.


Dose Tank - Wait 12 Hours - Test Water - Wait 12 Hours - Dose Tank


& repeat


Sorry to sound like i am saying the obvious but i fell into the trap of missdosing on my cycle so dont want others to do the same.


Tom

No its not stating the obvious because I have been dosing every 12hrs, but will start dosing every 24 and testing every 12. Do you have any ideas on fish, I m looking for nice colors like neons but more hardy for after the cycle.

 

[Aqua Tom]

It is looking very good Steve. Glad to see you keeping on top of the pH.

Just to be absolutely clear the dosing & testing should be as follows.


Dose Tank - Wait 12 Hours - Test Water - Wait 12 Hours - Dose Tank


& repeat


Sorry to sound like i am saying the obvious but i fell into the trap of missdosing on my cycle so dont want others to do the same.


Tom

No its not stated the obvious because. I have been dosing every 12hrs, but will start dosing every 24 and testing every 12. Do you have any ideas on fish, I m looking for nice colors like neons but more hardy for after the cycle.

ooooo, now we are getting to the fun part.

You are right to steer clear of neons as they are a bit fragile in new tanks, no-one knows why but it is a documented observation that they dont do well in tanks less than 6 months mature.

Have you looked at cardinal tetras? Like neons but tougher & much more colourful.

here are some of mine

Tom.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Cardinal Tetras are a great choice, I shall be stocking 12 of them in my 125L once it's cycled.

 

[steve26-2008]

What about glow light tetras, are they a better fish, or are they like the neons ?

 

[steve26-2008]

Bought a Api test kit 9.00am 1/3/2011 Ammonia 0 not sure about the nitrite 5 dosed the tank up to 4ppm. The nitrite dont seem to be dropping and the nitrate has dropped to 40ppm, unless the dip test I did have was not accurate.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Bought a Api test kit 9.00am 1/3/2011 Ammonia 0 not sure about the nitrite 5 dosed the tank up to 4ppm. The nitrite dont seem to be dropping and the nitrate has dropped to 40ppm, unless the dip test I did have was not accurate.

Those test strip dip test have a reputation for being inaccurate. Your new liquid based test kit will be as accurate as you can get & FAR more accurate than any test your LFS will do.

The NitrAte test is tricky to get right. Make sure you count the drops carefully & give bottle 2 a few sharp taps on a hard surface before shaking it as this will give best results.

Tom

 

[steve26-2008]

I Have not been on here for a day or two. I have just tested the water in the tank Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate shade light than 160ppm. Now the nitrite is 0 do I still dose 24 hrs and test 12.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I Have not been on here for a day or two. I have just tested the water in the tank Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate shade light than 160ppm. Now the nitrite is 0 do I still dose 24 hrs and test 12.

Yes. Your aim is to now have your filter procesing 4-5ppm Ammonia & assosiated Nitrites in 12 hours for 7 continious days. This is what we call your qualifying week.

Remember dose at 24 hours, test at 12hours.

Congratulations on your first double zero.


Tom

 

[Skins]

I Have not been on here for a day or two. I have just tested the water in the tank Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate shade light than 160ppm. Now the nitrite is 0 do I still dose 24 hrs and test 12.

Yes. Your aim is to now have your filter procesing 4-5ppm Ammonia & assosiated Nitrites in 12 hours for & continious days. This is what we call your qualifying week.

Remember dose at 24 hours, test at 12hours.

Congratulations on your first double zero.


Tom

+1,

Congratulations on your first double zero, Keith.