Cycling

[Harry1996]

i didnt have a cycle in mine. i left it a week before anything went in

 

[jaylam]

i didnt have a cycle in mine. i left it a week before anything went in

Well thats what I have decided to do, do a water change maybe tonight if not the weekend then leave it a week and continue testing and if all is the same get some snails etc.

 

[jaylam]

01st Setp - Day 6 of cycle
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 50-10
Nitrite = 0.0.5

 

[seffieuk]

Ah ha - interesting

Wait for the nitrite to disappear and then big water change

Seffie x

 

[jaylam]

Ah ha - interesting

Wait for the nitrite to disappear and then big water change

Seffie x

Re tested earlier and ammonia and nitrite both at zero so have done a 100lt water change.
Will re test over the next 2 days then go get some cuc at the weekend.

 

[jaylam]

Todays test results:

02nd Sept - Day 7 of cycling
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 100 high range 20 low range
Nitrite = 0

 

[Morri]

If your Nitrates are at 100 you are still cycling or there is an issue somewhere

Did you buy your LR from a LFS or second hand?
How much flow have you got in the tank ?

 

[jaylam]

If your Nitrates are at 100 you are still cycling or there is an issue somewhere

Did you buy your LR from a LFS or second hand?
How much flow have you got in the tank ?

I tested again after a big water change and now ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all 0. Am going to leave it 2 or 3 days and re test before getting some cuc.

I got the LR from LFS.
Flow at the moment is only from external Ehiem filter and the internal filter, I am awaiting 2 powerheads to be delivered.

 

[seffieuk]

Morri, that is his Nitrate spike

Excellent, so water change has now been done and all params are as to be expected - test again in 24 hrs and lets see if they hold steady

Seffie x

 

[Morri]

100 is very high for a spike but I guess this is down to a lack of flow adding the powerheads is essential before adding anything to the system as there will be dead spots which will be exposed to flow once the power heads are started and could mini cycle again.

 

[jaylam]

Morri, that is his Nitrate spike

Excellent, so water change has now been done and all params are as to be expected - test again in 24 hrs and lets see if they hold steady

Seffie x

Am going to be safe and test for the next week before adding anything, rather be safe than harm the fish.

100 is very high for a spike but I guess this is down to a lack of flow adding the powerheads is essential before adding anything to the system as there will be dead spots which will be exposed to flow once the power heads are started and could mini cycle again.

Powerheads fitted today, pics in journal.

 

[jaylam]

After testing today the nitrite test colour has changed a lot, its normally a light blue indicating no nitrite but today its defo a light red, is this a sign that something is starting to happen?:

03rd Sept - Day 8 of cycling - After 100lt water change
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0.1
Nitrite = 0

04th Sept - Day 9 of cycling
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 25 high range 5 low range
Nitrite = 0.05

05th Sept - Day 10 of cycling
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 25 high range 5 low range
Nitrite = 0.05

06th Sept - Day 11 of cycling
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 25 high range 5 low range
Nitrite = 0.05

07th Sept - Day 12 of cycling
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 25 high range 5 low range
Nitrite = 0.02

 

[seffieuk]

So what are the readings? Remember, in the cycle, its ammonia, nitrite and then nitrate (not the other way round). It looks to me as though you are having a mini cycle, but lets see the results that you talked about

Seffie x

 

[jaylam]

So what are the readings? Remember, in the cycle, its ammonia, nitrite and then nitrate (not the other way round). It looks to me as though you are having a mini cycle, but lets see the results that you talked about

Seffie x

Here are my results so far, how am I looking. Does everything look like it should:

 

[seffieuk]

Is that nitrate reading <0.1? If it is I really do think its time to get your cuc in after doing a weekly water change of approx 20%

Seffie x