The Chilly Dippers Fishless Cycle Log

[The chilly dipper]

Hi guys im back after a busy period and now i have my rio set up and heres my log of it.

Juwel rio 130
Biogrid HOB filter 160L/hour

i dont have an heater yet but i will be getting one soon

Please excuse the mess in my junk room (i really should tidy that up )

so last night i dosed the tank up to 8ppm (maybe a bit too high i will dose down next time)

Day 1 10:30pm PH low:7.6 > PH high 8.4 >Ammonia 8ppm
Day 2 11:00am PH low 7.6 > PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 7ppm (tank has settled nice but bacterial bloom not far behind)
Day 3 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 7ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 4 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 4ppm >nitrite 0.25ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 5 11:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 4ppm >nitrite 1ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 6 11:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 3ppm >nitrite 4ppm >nitrate 80ppm
Day 7 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 80ppm
Day 8 10.00am PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale Redosed to 4ppm
Day 8 10.00pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 2.ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 9 09:00pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 40ppm 25% water change to get ate and ites readable Redosed to 4ppm
Day 10 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 120ppmredosed to 4ppm again (no nitrate movement yet)
Day 11 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale 30% water change
Day 12 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 160ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 13 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 14 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 15 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high n/a >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scaleredosed to 4ppm
Day 16 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 17 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale50% water change redosed to 4 ppm
Day 18 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 1ppm >nitrate 100ppm

Day 19 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.0ppm >nitrite 0.25ppm >nitrate 100ppm redosed to 4ppm

Day 20 07:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate 100ppm
Day 20 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 120ppm
Day 21 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate 110ppm
Day 22 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0 >nitrate 140ppmredosed to 4 ppm
Day 23 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 2ppm >nitrate ?ppm
Day 24 07:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate ?ppmredosed 4pp
Day 25 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 2ppm >nitrate ?ppm
Day 26 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate ?ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 27 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite ?ppm >nitrate ?ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 28 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia ?ppm >nitrite ?ppm >nitrate ?ppm
Day 29 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate ?ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 30 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 120ppm
Day 31 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 0.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate ?ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 32 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 130ppmredosed to 4ppm
Now moving on to 12 hour tests
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 33 07:00am PH low ?? >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 2ppm >nitrate ???
Day 33 07:00pm PH low ?? >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 130ppmredosed to 4ppm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 34 07:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 130ppm
Day 34 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 130ppmredosed to 4ppm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 35 10:30am PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate redosed to 4ppm
Day 35 10:30pm PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 36 09:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate redosed to 4ppm
Day 36 09:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0.25ppm >nitrate redosed to 4ppm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 37 7:00am PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 38 07:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high ? >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate redosed to 4ppm













it is taking 24 hours to clear ammonia and nitrates as of day 32

if you guys have anything i can add to this then please say, i hope this is laid out well enough for you to gleam from.

i used Kleen off ammonia instead of the stuff from boots ,if you live in the uk this will be fine its made by jayes.

 

[StandbySetting]

Ignore your pH now, the ammonia is raising it, you might want to do a 20-25% water change just to bring the ammonia down a touch, 4-5Mg/L is the aim.

 

[The chilly dipper]

Ignore your pH now, the ammonia is raising it, you might want to do a 20-25% water change just to bring the ammonia down a touch, 4-5Mg/L is the aim.

right i dosed with 5ml of ammonia last time maybe i will use only 3mls but i will change the water right now
thanks standby.

when does the ph become an issue mate?

 

[StandbySetting]

The pH will become an issue if it begins to drop below 6, as this can stall the cycle, in the UK this generally isn't a problem due to the carbonate hardness of our water being sufficient enough to buffer the acidic nitrates produced during the cycle.

 

[The chilly dipper]

The pH will become an issue if it begins to drop below 6, as this can stall the cycle, in the UK this generally isn't a problem due to the carbonate hardness of our water being sufficient enough to buffer the acidic nitrates produced during the cycle.

i had heared its too common to fret over ph lol

 

[The chilly dipper]

Day 3 I seeded the tank and the temp is 26C
nothing as of yet

 

[philrag11]

Day 3 I seeded the tank and the temp is 26C
nothing as of yet

Hope the seeding speeds things up for you - I'm not doing too badly on day 30 and having achieved 0ppm Ammonia and Nitrites in 24hrs....

I have my temp set around 28/29C which is apparently better for bacteria growth.

Regards,

Phil

 

[The chilly dipper]

Day 3 I seeded the tank and the temp is 26C
nothing as of yet

Hope the seeding speeds things up for you - I'm not doing too badly on day 30 and having achieved 0ppm Ammonia and Nitrites in 24hrs....

I have my temp set around 28/29C which is apparently better for bacteria growth.

Regards,

Phil

Hi phil would ya know it....!!! we have movement in the nitrites 0.25ppm so the little devils are munching away i have turned mine up to that too phil im on 28 C.

not be long until you get double 0's in 12 hours

 

[The chilly dipper]

added some more pics

 

[The chilly dipper]

Day 9 and ammonia is going after 24 hours but nitrite still remains.
still waiting for those double zeros

 

[The chilly dipper]

bump ^

 

[The chilly dipper]

Hi guys im back after a busy period and now i have my rio set up and heres my log of it.

Juwel rio 130
Biogrid HOB filter 160L/hour

i dont have an heater yet but i will be getting one soon

Please excuse the mess in my junk room (i really should tidy that up )

so last night i dosed the tank up to 8ppm (maybe a bit too high i will dose down next time)

Day 1 10:30pm PH low:7.6 > PH high 8.4 >Ammonia 8ppm
Day 2 11:00am PH low 7.6 > PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 7ppm (tank has settled nice but bacterial bloom not far behind)
Day 3 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.2 >Ammonia 7ppm >nitrite 0ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 4 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 4ppm >nitrite 0.25ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 5 11:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 4ppm >nitrite 1ppm >nitrate 0ppm
Day 6 11:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 8.1 >Ammonia 3ppm >nitrite 4ppm >nitrate 80ppm
Day 7 07:30pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 80ppm
Day 8 10.00am PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale Redosed to 4ppm
Day 8 10.00pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 2.ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 9 09:00pm PH low 7.6 >PH high 7.4 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 40ppm 25% water change to get ate and ites readable Redosed to 4ppm
Day 10 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 120ppmredosed to 4ppm again (no nitrate movement yet)
Day 11 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale 30% water change
Day 12 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.6 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite 5ppm >nitrate 160ppmredosed to 4ppm
Day 13 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 14 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 15 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high n/a >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scaleredosed to 4ppm
Day 16 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale
Day 17 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0ppm >nitrite off scale >nitrate off scale50% water change redosed to 4 ppm
Day 18 09:00pm PH low 0.0 >PH high 8.0 >Ammonia 0.25ppm >nitrite 1ppm >nitrate 100ppm







Movement 24 hours after seeding!!!!!

if you guys have anything i can add to this then please say, i hope this is laid out well enough for you to gleam from.

i used Kleen off ammonia instead of the stuff from boots ,if you live in the uk this will be fine its made by jayes.

 

[The chilly dipper]

WHEN DO I NEED TO LOWER THE AMMONIA DOSAGE FROM 4PPM?
IS IT WHEN I GET DOUBLE 0 AFTER 24 HOURS?

ANY HELP REALLY APPRECIATED

DIPPER

 

[XeroTolerance]

You want to lower it when your nitrites are off the scale. Slowly raise it back up to 4ppm after it can process 2ppm of ammonia and nitrite in 12 hours.

 

[The chilly dipper]

You want to lower it when your nitrites are off the scale. Slowly raise it back up to 4ppm after it can process 2ppm of ammonia and nitrite in 12 hours.

Now i am getting double zeroes after 24 hours
consitantly so what is best to do now lower the dose to 3ppm? or keep it at 4ppm?.
i will now be looking at the 12 hour testing marks