Unsure Where My Fishless Cycle Is At

[Daisyk8t]

Hiya,

I am fishless cycling with fish food (have been too busy to source ammonia!) I started 17/6 with a brand new 54l tank. I added some Stress zyme to get things started and a bit of food each day, but my water testing kit didn't turn up until 29/6. The tank went through a cloudy stage, but then cleared up. Now it's just clear with some patches of yucky decomposing food stuck in the gravel & the ornament. I have tested every 2 days since getting my kit and ammonia is always very low or 0, and nitrites the same. What should I be doing now??!! There is too much conflicting advice out there and I'm unsure where the tank is because of not having tested from the start...

 

[the_lock_man]

Mornin' Daisy.

In my opinion, the thing you should be doing now is sourcing some ammonia (whereabouts in the world are you?)

The problem with using fishfood is that you can't control the level of ammonia present in the water. Experience has shown that the bacteria like it best if they are given a regular boost of ammonia (5ppm daily). With fishfood, the ammonia is released gradually, and it's very difficult to know how much food is going to give you x amount of ammonia.

If your ammonia and nitrite are constantly 0, it sounds like you've made very little progress.

 

[Mauigirl]

Hiya,

I am fishless cycling with fish food (have been too busy to source ammonia!) I started 17/6 with a brand new 54l tank. I added some Stress zyme to get things started and a bit of food each day, but my water testing kit didn't turn up until 29/6. The tank went through a cloudy stage, but then cleared up. Now it's just clear with some patches of yucky decomposing food stuck in the gravel & the ornament. I have tested every 2 days since getting my kit and ammonia is always very low or 0, and nitrites the same. What should I be doing now??!! There is too much conflicting advice out there and I'm unsure where the tank is because of not having tested from the start...

Ok , I get being busy, It happens... but all of us are lost as you have no tests.
So for your sake and ours as we try to help you along I would suggest you find the time to get a Liquid test kit. ( no test strips)

You can follow your fish food method or switch over to the more controllable method of dosing household ammonia. not a bit deal as long as we can see your test results. dosing is again more controlled.

Welcome and glad you decided to fishless.

 

[Daisyk8t]

I have got tests now: Ammonia and nitrite is all low or zero each day - I did say!

I need to add more ammonia basically is what it sounds like then... Sigh. Another wait as I source some online then. I'm in the UK and I thought I saw a post recommending some sources so I'll go check.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Homebase!! It's their own brand and it's in a white and orange bottle with "Household Ammonia" on it

 

[Daisyk8t]

Thank you! I'll go tomorrow and get cracking!!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Actually...what don't I have a picture of on my Photobucket lol!

 

[the_lock_man]

Homebase!! It's their own brand and it's in a white and orange bottle with "Household Ammonia" on it

And it's in the Household Cleaning section!

 

[Daisyk8t]

Very helpful!! That's just what I need for when I rush in with two screaming kids and no time to search properly before one of them does something stupid ;-)

 

[the_lock_man]

Very helpful!! That's just what I need for when I rush in with two screaming kids and no time to search properly before one of them does something stupid ;-)

Make sure you keep the ammonia bottle well out of their reach. It does have a "childproof" lid, but better safe than sorry.

You'll be able to tell if they've sniffed it. They will look like this. then then and finally

 

[Yanks15]

Very helpful!! That's just what I need for when I rush in with two screaming kids and no time to search properly before one of them does something stupid ;-)

Make sure you keep the ammonia bottle well out of their reach. It does have a "childproof" lid, but better safe than sorry.

You'll be able to tell if they've sniffed it. They will look like this. then then and finally

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Maybe even this hehe

 

[Mauigirl]

I have got tests now: Ammonia and nitrite is all low or zero each day - I did say!

I need to add more ammonia basically is what it sounds like then... Sigh. Another wait as I source some online then. I'm in the UK and I thought I saw a post recommending some sources so I'll go check.

My mistake, you did, sorry.
Looks like your in great hands now.
Best of luck with the cycle.