Tetra Safe Start And Cycling My New Tank

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snazy

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Hi all,

After so many debates over whether bottled bacteria works or not, I agreed to open a thread and keep a log of cycling my new tank.

Now, this is a bit early, as my tank is still in the post, and I haven't bought yet the substrate, filter, etc..but all of us can use this thread for posting their own success/unsuccess logs with Tetra Safe Start, or similar products.

For those that missed it, I have cycled two tanks with Tetra Safe start, via a fish-in cycle and it took a week.
Conditions:
-No water changes during the cycle
-No ammonia removers of any kind, just simple tap water conditioner(I used Api Tap Safe)
-Water temperature between 20-28 max(mine was at 26.5-27)
-Fish and double the recommended dose of Tetra Safe Start go together(My tank was understocked)
-Ph of water apparently has to be over 7.2 to work properly(Ph on both my tanks is 7.6)
-Nitrite spike was achieved at day 5-6 of the cycle and I poured on both tanks a normal dose of Tetra Safe Start at this stage(Nitrites were gone to 0 in just 24 hours or slightly longer as that's when I came back from work to test. Ammonia was nearly undetectable when nitrite spike occured)
-Feeding of fish was normal( I feed them twice a day at least, but smaller ammounts)
-I remember looking at the expiry date on the bottles and all of them had passed over 6 months from manufacturing date B-), but I bought them from the same shop at different time.

I will be trying exactly the same on my third tank,but with some plants and it will also be a fishless cycle with ammonia.
In the mean time, please post your opinions and attempts here if you wish. And as soon as I collect everything I need, I will post mine.

Thanks for contributing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I will summarize the results of the tests for each day below

Date I started the cycle: 15th January.
For other info, read the thread. Pictures will be posted for each day.

Log:

Day 1: added 3.5 ml ammonia
ammonia-1ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-7.6, temp-26.8

Day2:no ammonia added
ammonia-1ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-8.2, temp-26.8

Day3:no ammonia added
ammonia-0.50ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-7ppm, ph-8.2, temp-26.8

Day4:no ammonia added
ammonia-0.50ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-8.2, temp -26.9

Day5:no ammonia added
ammonia-between 0.25-0.50ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-8.2, temp-26.8

Day6:redosed to 1ppm ammonia(3.5ml)
before ammonia added ammonia-0, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-between 3-5 ppm, ph-8.0, temp-26.8
after 3.5 ml dose: ammonia-1ppm, no other tests done

Day7:no ammonia added
ammonia-0.50ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-8.2, temp-26.9

Day8 earlier during the day:
ammonia-0.25ppm, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-5ppm, ph-7.6, temp-26.9
Day8 4 hours later:
ammonia-0
Day8: redosed to 1ppm ammonia(3.5ml)
ammonia-1ppm

Day9:no ammonia added(7PM in the evening)
ammonia-0.25ppm, nitrIte-0.15, nitrAte-10ppm, ph-7.6, temp-27.1

Day10: 5.30 AM in the morning
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0.10, nitrAte-10ppm, ph-7.6, temp-26.9
Day10: 6AM redosed to 1ppm ammonia(3.5ml)
no test done, ammonia should be 1ppm as usual.
Day10: about 13 hours since the ammonia was dosed to 1ppm
ammonia-0.25ppm, nitrIte-0.50, nitrAte-20ppm, ph-7.6, temp 26.9


Day11: 2.15 AM in the morning :sad:
(about 7hrs after previous test)
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0.25, nitrAte-10ppm, ph-not tested, temp 26.9
Day11: 2.40 AM redosed to 1ppm(3.5ml) ammonia
ammonia-1ppm, no other tests done
Day11: 16.45 PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm, nitrAte-20+ppm, ph-7.6, temp 27.1
Day11: 18:50 PM redosed to 0.50ppm ammonia(1.75ml)

Day12: 5.30AM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm, nitrAte-20+ppm, ph-not tested, temp 27.0
Day12: 5.40AM redosed to 0.50ppm(1.75ml) ammonia
Day12: 16.35 PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm, nitrAte-20ppm, ph-7.6, temp 26.9
Day12: 16.40 PM redosed to 0.50ml ammonia(1.75ml)

Day13: 5.10AM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm, nitrAte-20+, ph-not tested, temp-27.6
Day13: 5.35AM redosed 2.5ml ammonia(by accident)
ammonia-between 0.50-1ppm
Day13: 5.30PM
ammonia-0ppm, nitrIte-2ppm, no other tests done, temp-27.7
Day13: 5.35PM redosed 2.5ml ammonia(on purpose :hey: )
ammonia should be between 0.50-1ppm, no point testing

Day14: 4.35AM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm, nitrAte-30+ppm, ph-7.6, temp-29.9
Day14: 4.50AM redosed 0.75ppm(2.5ml) ammonia
no test done, no pic taken
Day14: 17.50PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm-3ppm, no other tests done, temp-30.0
Day14: 18.00PM redosed to 0.75ppm ammonia and added 250ml tetra safestart
Day14: 22.35PM, less than 5 hours from adding ammonia and TSS
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2ppm-3ppm, nitrAte-40ppm+, no ph test done, temp-30.0
Day14: 23.00PM, redosed to 0.50ppm ammonia

Day15: 7.40AM
ammonia-0, nitrite-2ppm-3ppm, no ph test done, temp-30.0
Day15: 7.50AM redosed to 0.60ppm ammonia(2ml)
Day15: 12.40PM
Day15: 12:40PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-2-3ppm
Day15: 12:50PM redosed to 0.60ppm ammonia(2ml)
Day15: 16:30PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-4ppm, nitrAte-not tested, ph-7.6, temp-30.0
Day15: 16:35PM redosed to 0.60ppm(2ml) ammonia
Day15: 17.25PM redosed another 1.40ppm+ ammonia(5ml)

Day16: 17:50PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-4ppm+, no other tests done, temp-29.8
Day16: 17:55PM redosed to about 2.10ppm ammonia(7ml)
Day16: 22:50PM just a test out of curiosity
ammonia-1ppm, nitrIte-2ppm

Day17: 16:45 PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-5ppm, no other tests done
Day17: 19:00PM dosed 2ppm ammonia(7ml)

Day18: 19:30PM dosed 2ppm ammonia(7ml)
no tests done

Day19: 19.00PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-1-2ppm, nitrAte-80ppm, ph-7.6, temp-30.0
Did a 70% water change
Day19: 21.45PM dosed 2ppm ammonia(7ml)
ammonia-2ppm, nitrIte-0.15ppm, no other tests done, temp-26.1(ran out of hot water during the water change)

Day20: 5:50AM
ammonia-0.50, nitrIte-0, no other tests done
Day20: 21:00PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0.25, no other tests done, temp-29.9
Day20: 22:30PM redosed to 2ppm ammonia

Day21: 5.40AM
ammonia-1ppm, nitrIte-2ppm
Day21: 22:00PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0.25+, no nitrAte test done, Ph-7.6, temp-29.9
Day21: 12:00 AM redosed to 2ppm ammonia

Day22: 8:30AM
ammonia-not tested, nitrIte-0, nitrAte-40, Ph-not tested, temp-30.0
Day22: 8.50AM redosed to 2ppm ammonia
Day22: 13:00PM(4 hours after redosing ammonia)
ammonia-1ppm, nitrIte-1ppm


Day23: 12:30PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0
Day23: 12:50PM redosed to 2ppm ammonia


Day24: 16:00 PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0.25, nitrate and ph not tested, temp-30.1
Day24: 17:20 PM
nitrIte-0ppm
Day24 : 17:35PM redosed to 0.50ppm ammonia(1.7ml)
Day24: 18:00PM
ammonia-0.50ppm, nitrIte-0-ish
Day24: 20.25PM(3 hours after dosing 0.50 ppm ammonia)
ammonia-0ppm, nitrIte-0.50ppm
Day24: 23:30 PM redosed to 1.50ppm ammonia (5ml)

Day25: 21:30 PM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0, ph-7.6, temp-30.1
Day25: 21:45 PM large 90% water change

Day26: 5:20 AM redosed with a common pleco :lol:

Day28: 2:30 AM
ammonia-0, nitrIte-0
Day28: 3:30 AM added 6 albino corys
Day28: 18:00 PM
So far the ammonia and nitrIte are holding on to 0. Temp is set to 25 degrees.


Pictures of the tests day by day are below:

Day1:Before 3.5 ml of ammonia was added
p1140641.jpg

Day2:
p1140658n.jpg

Day3:
p1160675.jpg

Day4:
p1170684p.jpg

Day5:
p1180691.jpg

Day6:
p1190710.jpg

Day6:3.5ml ammonia added
p1190714.jpg

Day7:
p1200724.jpg

Day8:
p1210729.jpg

Day8 4 hours later
p1210735o.jpg

Day8:after 3.5ml ammonia added
p1210741z.jpg

Day9:
p1220748d.jpg

Day10: 5.30AM
p1230751.jpg



Day10: 5.45 AM dosed 3.5ml ammonia to raise the level to 1ppm
No test done and no pic taken


Day10: test done about 13 hours since 3.5ml(1ppm) ammonia was added
p1230757.jpg


Day11: 2.15 AM((yeah, I know I am crazy :lol: )7 hours after previous test
p1240761.jpg


Day11: added 3.5ml ammonia at 2.40 AM
p1240770.jpg


Day11: 16.45 PM
p1240776.jpg


Day11: 18.50 PM 1.75ml ammonia added to raise to 0.50ppm
p1240788.jpg


Day12: 5.30 AM
p1250792.jpg



Day12: 5.40AM redosed to 0.50ppm ammonia
no pic taken, no test done


Day12: 16.35PM
p1250795.jpg




Day12: 16.40PM redosed 0.50ppm ammonia
no pic taken, no test done


Day13: 5:10 AM
p1260796.jpg



Day13: 5.35 AM redosed 2.5ml ammonia(by accident) to 0.75ppm
p1260801.jpg


Day13: 5.30 PM
p1260802.jpg



Day13: 5.35 PM redosed to 0.75ppm(2.5ml ammonia)
No test done, no pic taken


Day14: 4.35 AM
p1270809.jpg




Day14: 4.50 AM dosed 0.75ppm ammonia(2.5ml)
no test done, no pic taken



Day14: 17.50 PM
p1270813.jpg




Day14: 18:00 PM redosed to 0.75ppm ammonia(2.5ml) and added 250ml tetra safe start



Day14: 22.35PM, less than 5 hours from dosing ammonia and TSS
p1270815.jpg

p1270820.jpg




Day14: 23.00PM, redosed to 0.60ppm(2ml) ammonia



Day15: 7.40AM
p1280827.jpg




Day15: 7.50AM redosed to 0.60ppm ammonia(2ml)



Day15: 12:40PM
p1280874.jpg




Day15: 12:50PM redosed to 0.60ppm ammonia(2ml)



Day15: 16:30PM
p1280876t.jpg




Day15: 16:35PM redosed to 0.60ppm ammonia(2ml)
Day15: 17.25PM redosed another 1.40ppm+ ammonia(5ml)
Pic taken at 19.20PM
p1280881.jpg




Day16: 17:50PM
p1290884.jpg





Day16: 17:55PM redosed to 2.10ppm(7ml) ammonia




Day16: 22:50PM seems that nitrIte colour is lot lighter
p1290888.jpg




Day17: 16:45 PM
p1300892.jpg




Day17: 19:00 PM dosed 2ppm ammonia



Day18: dosed 2ppm ammonia
no tests done


Day19: 19.00PM
p2010900.jpg



Day19: 21:45PM after about 70% water change
p2010902.jpg



Day20: 5:50AM
p2020903.jpg



Day20: 21:00PM
p2020908.jpg




Day20: 22:30PM redosed to 2ppm ammonia



Day21: 5.40AM
p2030909.jpg



Day21: 22:00PM
p2030911.jpg




Day21: 12:00AM redosed to 2ppm



Day22: 8:30AM
p2050918.jpg





Day22: 8:50AM redosed to 2ppm ammonia



Day22: 13:00PM(4 hours after redosing ammonia)
p2050920.jpg




Day23: 12:30 PM ammonia and nitrite 0
Day23: 12:50 redosed to 2ppm ammonia


Day24: 16:00 PM
p2070932.jpg


Day24: 17:20 PM
p2070934.jpg





Day24 : 17:35PM redosed to 0.50ppm ammonia(1.7ml)



Day24: 18:00 PM
p2070936.jpg



Day24: 20:25PM (about 3 hours after 0.50ppm ammonia dose)
p2070937.jpg



Day24: 23:30 PM redosed to 1.50ppm ammonia (5ml)



Day25: 21:45 PM large 90% water change

Day26: 5:20 AM redosed with a common pleco


Day28: 2:30 AM
p2100937.jpg


Day28: a couple of videos with the fish in

The corys enjoying the extra room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeGBEkw3g4c&feature=youtu.be

My part time corysitter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh6JsgV5aCM&feature=youtu.be
 
Something tells me you're going to have some success with this :good:














.
Sorry I couldn't resist lol
 
Well, I will say that the truly "scientific" response would be for you to replicate his methods and refute his findings with documented findings of your own.


For skeptics on both sides, I would suggest that you take pictures of your tubes for each test, just to share that little tidbit. Sure someone could fake the pictures, but that is a harder thing to do than merely type in fake numbers.
 
For skeptics on both sides, I would suggest that you take pictures of your tubes for each test, just to share that little tidbit. Sure someone could fake the pictures, but that is a harder thing to do than merely type in fake numbers.

Will do :good:
 
Tank is staying empty until the filter and air pump arrive and I also need to get sand when the shops open :sick: I haven't even bothered to clean it yet, as delivery around Christmas is not going to be speedy
I got a filter from APS, external 2000 litres an hour+ UV sterilizer in one, hopefully arriving this or next week.
And I have also ordered the Eheim 3704 air pump 400.

I might be able to pick some driftwood this week, but there is plenty of time for decoration.

Well, no one has posted a picture yet of a dirty empty tank, so here I go :crazy: :lol:

pc260540.jpg
 
You do know you have a large tank a filter thats only going to turn over approx 900LPH right? :good:
 
OK, finally... So I think I am nearly ready to start the cycle. I just need to buy a few more things tomorrow.

Yesterday I cleaned the tank and setup most of the stuff. It turns out that the stupid heater that came with the APS tank has a super short cable that is impossible to use even if I had a plug just outside the opening of the back of the tank, just ridiculious :sick:

So tomorrow I am going to get a bit more filter media as I removed the carbon, the tetra safe start bottles and a heater of course.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, my lovely half has decided to decorate this tank as I apparently have done a horrible job in my attempts with my other two tanks :lol: .
So I have been asked to wait before I fill the tank with water, until all decoration and planting has finished.

I know plants and cycle is not a good idea, first because of possible algae blooms and second because I am trying to do a viable test with Tetra Safe start, but I just can't say no to a such a nice offer :* The plants have been ordered and are supposed to arrive tomorrow or Friday the latest. Then I can start the cycle.

Here are a few pictures from the tank from yesterday before and after:

Tank with the drift wood being soaked for a couple of weeks:

p1070583k.jpg



Tank now:


p1100620x.jpg


p1100622o.jpg


p1100624k.jpg
 
Quick FYI mate you may as well bin the spray bar, you will get alot more flow without it and with APS you need it :good: The hood will ripple the water enough
 
OK. I'll take it into consideration.
Is the APS ext that bad :crazy:

I just want to see how it looks first when on and I will take it from there.
 
it will look great it just wont do much, there a fair few bends in that pipwork, plus 3 media baskets full lol
 
Would you suggest a third filter, maybe an internal?
The two filters combined are 2900L/H but if the flow is actually not as advertised as you said, then it seems a bit not enough for the tank size?
 

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