Fishless Cycle Log

[Diesel Trout]

Well finally on day 57 there has been some movement on the ammonia processing. What was taking about 36 hours to process 4 ppm of ammonia recently now has done the job in about 24. Nitrites were still registering a tad and the nitrates are not out of control (have not been testing nitrates every day nor reporting them). I hope I have turned a corner and I am on my way to the much desired 12 hour cycle.

 

[waterdrop]

Admire your patience! Hang in there and continue with the good observations and testing!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Diesel Trout]

Day 58: looks like I spoke too soon regarding the ammonia processing. Today 7:00 am ammonia was 2 and nitrites 0.5; at 7:00 pm I was still at 1.0 and 0.25 respectively.

Got razzed by my coworkers today upon my return from holidays (hence the 7 and 7 schedule again) when they learned that there were still no fish in. I just keep explaining that the bacteria is taking its time and they keep looking at me like I'm crazy. Soon, I tell them, soon...

 

[Diesel Trout]

Day 63 update. This is week 9 so far and very little progress lately, except for the green algae which has found a home. I decided to leave the snails in cuz they look like they are having a good time chowing down on the stuff.

Still taking a day or more to process 4 ppm of ammonia. On day 29-30ish it was processing in 24 hours and then everything took a few steps back. I am not amused.

 

[Diesel Trout]

Day 65. Ammonia and nitrites are processing in 24 hours for sure now. I haven't been checking in the morning so as not to ruin my entire day. At the rate it has been going I will start the 12 hours checks in a couple of days. Algae is not totally out of control. I sucked some of the tufts up tonight and to make the sand a bit more appealing. Also I knocked back my lighting schedule by an hour.

 

[waterdrop]

Good move! Sounds like you are doing things right!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Diesel Trout]

Good move! Sounds like you are doing things right!

~~waterdrop~~

How can I do things more right? Seems to me that things are moving along at a snails pace. But at least the snails are happy.

 

[waterdrop]

Good move! Sounds like you are doing things right!

~~waterdrop~~

How can I do things more right? Seems to me that things are moving along at a snails pace. But at least the snails are happy.

I guess we could fly OM47 up to Thunder Bay... how's the beer up there

 

[Diesel Trout]

The beer is always cold, plentiful and delicious!

Nothing positive to report on the bacteria front. Ammonia continues to process slooooowly. Still at around 24 hours, give or take. Maybe it will be ready around Christmas.

 

[OldMan47]

With only a 3 ounce liquid allowance, I'm not sure I could bring enough viable bacteria to make much difference WD. I would want to carry at least a whole sponge from a filter to make the trip worthwhile, although the beer might be all I would need for that.

 

[waterdrop]

You're assuming we'd have to fool with the airlines. I'll bring the van so I can get hours of good advice!

 

[Diesel Trout]

You're assuming we'd have to fool with the airlines. I'll bring the van so I can get hours of good advice!

The drive from Forsyth should only take about 14-15 hours, depending on how many deer you have to dodge. Getting through the border crossing into Canada is easy, eh.

 

[waterdrop]

Since OM is an earlybird he can take over the driving at 2am and keep it going through sunrise

 

[OldMan47]

Not as easy as it once was DT. I now need to carry a passport and getting my Canadian passport renewed here in the middle of nowhere can be a challenge. Once I have it in hand, the trip is a breeze. I have driven to southern areas of Ontario in a day before. I have some connections in London as well as in the Montreal area of Quebec.

 

[waterdrop]

Any opinion on Queens U. in Kingston? On one of our college lists to look at...