Another Cycle Question.

[dgwebster]

cheers, I've stuck this into a spreadsheet, hopefully some others will stick their details in... mines will be added eventually.

 

[kris-b-]

I've read posts from people on here saying there's completed so quickly so if yours doesn't don't get fed up with it, I nearly did but once things do get moving it happens quickly!

 

[dgwebster]

ps i take it you meant the temp at 87F and not 87C??

 

[kris-b-]

oops yep thats the one F not C

 

[dgwebster]

ive started a simple speardsheet to collect data in. if there are any others out there about to start a cycle, the same above info would be great.

Also anyone who has started one and got this information, or done one and has this information, feel free to post it or IM me with it.

 

[dgwebster]

ok heres an update:

my tank has now been running for: 19 days.

Ammonia: circa 5ppm.

Same since day 1.

Looks like I will be a while waiting for my tank to cycle, one of the longer people. only problem is, Im off to America come the new year, so it looks like itll be 8-10 weeks before I go stocking my fish tank. I may end up getting a pal in to top up my tank with a few drops ammonia every day whilst im on holiday to ensure the bacteria do not die. Ultimately it depends on the cycle finishing, I dont want to add the fish just before I go when they should be closely monitored.

Suppose, the planting is started, can focus on establishing my tanks plants a bit.

 

[kris-b-]

That's a shame. It can take a while to see the drop in ammonia but once that happens things seem to move along quicker. But I guess you'll be away by the time it does get going!

 

[dgwebster]

certainly seems to be heading that way. I had been hoping for the cycling to be completing at the start of jan to add the fish and get about 3 weeks of monitoring done. but its just coming too close now.

 

[kris-b-]

You could always ask your LFS if they have any media that you could have or buy from one of there established tanks and put some of this into your filter to speed things up?

 

[dgwebster]

will give one of the more reputable stores a tele-bone after the bank holidays next week and see what they will offer. hell, take a trip up there anyway, its always fun.

 

[rdd1952]

my tank has now been running for: 19 days.

Ammonia: circa 5ppm.

Same since day 1.

Something's not right. You definitely should have seen some change since the start. In 19 days, the ammonia definitely should have dropped to 0. I would almost question whether the test kit was faulty but you can check that with tap water. Is 5 ppm the highest reading on your test kit? Could it possibly have been much higher than that and is falling but not below the highest reading yet? Do you have any nitrite yet? The only thing I can think of is if you didn't use dechlorinator that could keep it from cycling. Besides that, I can't imagine why the ammonia would not have changed at all.

 

[dgwebster]

The chart goes (missing out the low ones):

2ppm
4ppm
8ppm

There is a quite large difference between the 4 and 8 in colour and the colour is a shade away from the 4ppm towards the 8ppm, which i estimate to be about 5ppm. may be towards 6 though, but definately not dark enough to be towards the 8.

I stuck in dechloronator, with an extra measure for good will. that had run for two days to let stuff settle before adding the ammonia.

What may be causing the issue is that I have had extremely little bacteria source. mostly a crap bottle (just done bother with these things) and a couple of plants just added. So its been down to pot luck of whatever has been in the air at the time of filling etc. Think it may be a cause of any bacteria source I have gained has been extremely small and its going to take some time for them to multiply enough to have an effect. well, at least any of them in there are having a banquet.