Text Book Fishless Cycle!

[Gary D]

In the interest of maintaining a balance, I thought I would post details of our recently completed Fishless Cycle.

Not because I wanted to gloat or anything, but it is just that as a beginner myself, I felt intimidated when I first joined after reading so many posts about lengthy and problematic cycles, and I thought our story might give some people encouragement.

Ours took 44 days from start to finish

It took 17 days after the initial Ammonia dose for the readings to drop back to zero.
Shortly after that, the Ammonia was dropping to zero within 24 hours consistently.
It only took a further 8 days for the Nitrite to drop to zero as well.
4 or 5 days after that, both the Ammonia and Nitrite were dropping to zero 24 hours after dosing.
It then took a further 10 days or so before the Amm. and Nitrite were dropping to zero in 12 hours. This happened on day 37.
We then carried on with the seven day qualifying.

On day 34 I did about an 80% water change as the water was getting really dirty and tainted. This did no harm whatsoever, in fact I think it improved matters.

I also did another 90% water change when we finished as the PH was starting to drop a little.

We will be adding fish on Friday I hope!! (Just haven't decided exactly what sort and quantity yet )

In my opinion, the "secret weapon" of our success was the purchase of some mature ceramic noodles from our LFS. They weren't introduced immediately, but at about 10 days in. Although there weren't that many of them, and they cost £7.50 , I think it kick started the process somewhat - exactly as it is supposed to - and was well worth it.

I hope this is of interest.
Gary.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, that then makes it textbook fishless cycle... with mature media! A different animal from one without mature media but an important example nonetheless, as it demonstrates for beginners how helpful mature media can be.

I think its also always really good to point out that we have plenty of evidence that a larger number of the normal quick fishless cycles don't get reported as much or have as lengthy threads as the ones that have a few more problems or where beginners take a few wrong turns.

Beginners should also be reminded that there are many factors completely out of their control (number of initial bacteria in the tap water, differing chemicals that are not measured and that we don't consider, differing materials in the tank, differing hardness and mineral makeup, all sorts of factors) and should not be discouraged if their particular fishless cycle is taking a long time.

In the end, any cycle is a very small time out of the years you will be running the tank!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Gary D]

Thanks Waterdrop

There was one glaring omission from my post though!

A big Thank You to yourself, and all of the other contributors on this forum, for the really helpful and useful information that is available on the site. I have learnt so much in the last few weeks and could not have got to where we are now without that info.

Cheers,
Gary.

 

[LondonguyJ]

I should state that I am no expert. But after reading almost all the fishless cycles I have found on this and two other aquatic forums. I have come to the conclusion that those who use a sponge based filter system have slower cycles

While I'm aware that this is a generalization I'm pretty sure that the ceramic clay rings and other forms of bio media promote better conditions than the sponge filtration.

 

[Twinklecaz]

My filter has sponge and noodles and I've been cycling 2 months today

I did get one double 0 reading at 12 hours but besides that I keep getting 0.25 mostly. I think I am nearly there but the patience I had loads of is starting to wear thin.....which I think is fair enough after 2 months lol.

 

[Gary D]

My filter has sponge and noodles and I've been cycling 2 months today

I did get one double 0 reading at 12 hours but besides that I keep getting 0.25 mostly. I think I am nearly there but the patience I had loads of is starting to wear thin.....which I think is fair enough after 2 months lol.

Keep at it Twinklecaz - it sounds like you are nearly there!

I haven't read all of your "cycle" post, but have you done a large water change recently?

From what I read, it can't do any harm, and my opinion is that it nudged us along a little when we did.

Good luck,
Gary.

 

[OldMan47]

I am starting to become more and more convinced that a slow or stalled cycle can be moved along quite nicely by a huge, over 90%, water change. It brings the nitrite levels down where you can read them and prevents any inhibiting effect the nitrite may be having. It also removes much of the nitrates and again removes any chance of nitrates inhibiting the cycle progress. I have seen only a single reference to high nitrites inhibiting bacterial growth of the nitrite processors in the scientific literature and it gave no numbers about what level of nitrites it took to slow things, but why not try it. After all, what could it hurt?

 

[Gvilleguy]

I am on day 48 of my fishless cycle. It took 26 days for ammonia to drop to zero within 12 hours, and 20 days later I'm still waiting for nitrites (currently measuring "high") to take the first drop to zero. Last week I did a 90% water change. Within just a couple days the nitrites were back to reading off the chart. I'm going to hang in there. Hopefully we will get the nitrites dropping soon! This is looking like a 60 day cycle for my tank.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks Gary and Oldman. Am planning to do a big change tomorrow for a few reasons. IF I'm not hindered again lol

 

[fishy55]

Well Done Gary D.

Fishy55.