Fishless Cycle Problems :s

[Eddsch]

Hey guys!

I'm ~7 weeks into my Fishless Cycle in my Aquaone Nano 40 (55l), been bumping into some problems (It's my first time, so be nice!)

Using an API Master Test Kit I've been able to get these results from my tank water as of yesterday:

Ammonia ~ 4.0 ppm
Nitrite ~ 0.50 ppm
Nitrate ~ 4-5.0 ppm
pH ~ 7.6
No/little traces of Chlorine.

To increase my Ammonia levels I'm using Homebase Value Household Ammonia, however my Ammonia levels in my tank almost *never* seem to drop, besides perhaps a little at the beginning. Thus I haven't needed to add more in a good while, however I am measuring slight levels of increased Nitrite and of recent Nitrate (but my levels of Nitrite don't seem to have changed in a good while).

Inside my tank there are several fake plants, some ornaments, ceramic noodles/foam in the filter, a few inches of gravel, my pump and my heater (set to around 30degrees). The tank sees a reasonable amount of sunlight (it's in the kitchen with lots of windows, so gets all the day's sunlight), though I rarely turn the tank's own light on.

It seems like my cycle has almost come to a stand still. Does anyone know what could be the problem? What I could do to resume the cycle? Any explanations as to what has happened would be greatly appreciated! I understand by this stage my ammonia levels should be dropping at least a little quicker! If I need to provide any extra information please let me know.

Many thanks,
Edd

 

[KittyKat]

From the readings you posted, I would say that you've been a bit enthusiastic with the ammonia (not a problem) and the cycle is progressing. Can you post the full log please? And your tap water parameters? (Test pH after tap water has been stood in a clean glass for 24 hours.)

You should not be using the tank lights at all for the moment, and when the cycle is over, you should put them on a timer so that the lighting period is regular. Ammonia with light often leads to algae, and so can an irregular lighting period.

 

[Eddsch]

I was keeping log of my results on my windows laptop which unfortunately died last week, so lost my log! Having to post from my computer at work at the moment

Nothing exciting had happened with the results. Ammonia seemed to dip at first, but hasn't much at all recently (perhaps I miss calculated how much extra ammonia to add to compensate!). As for Nitrite, it has only recently been detectable (about 5 weeks into the cycle!!) and hasn't spiked or rapidly increased, but seems to be remaining at the same levels. Nitrates have only just appeared, oddly since I haven't seemed to detect high Nitrites. I'll admit, testing became less frequent as I began to get slightly fed up with my problems! I'm a patient person but it seemed to be taking the Michael!

I'll start the prep to check the water parameters as soon as I get back home!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Quick one.. do you know of anyone with a mature, healthy tank? A cross media donation can always help a fishless cycle, but even more so in a case like this.
for having patience for the 7 weeks so far.

Terry.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Quick one.. do you know of anyone with a mature, healthy tank? A cross media donation can always help a fishless cycle, but even more so in a case like this.
for having patience for the 7 weeks so far.

Terry.

+1, mature media donation is the way forward for you.


Tom

 

[Eddsch]

Thanks for the advice!

I have a friend of a friend who has a tank, that's the best I've found so far. What kind of things should I ask for? Anything that's been in the tank for a while? And how much? Seeing as I don't know them too well, I feel like I can't ask for a great deal!

Cheers,
Edd

 

[The Taffy Apple]

If you find out a couple of basic things, then ask on here and no doubt you'll get your answer, ask things like;
Are you willing to help me? Mention you are fully prepared to offer new media in exchange for any that they are good enough to 'donate' to you.
Ask them how old it is. There wouldn't be much point in asking for some if the tank and filter is a matter of weeks old.

The media itself could be anything from sponges or filter floss to ceramic 'balls' or 'noodles', the latter probably being the best thing to get in a media donation.
If they are knowledgable about the hobby then they will understand why you want it and how much they can safely donate.

All the best with it, keep us posted.

Terry.

 

[Eddsch]

Thanks for the input guys.

On a side note, I was wondering if anyone could educate me as to why my ammonia levels aren't dropping for future purposes. Is it simply that I overdosed the amount of ammonia, and now it's taking longer to drop? Is it possible that the ammonia levels may never drop to if I don't get mature media? I'm worried that I won't be able to get any from an established tank, and may be left with few options but to restart my tank.

Edd

 

[JDs4me]

Thanks for the input guys.

On a side note, I was wondering if anyone could educate me as to why my ammonia levels aren't dropping for future purposes. Is it simply that I overdosed the amount of ammonia, and now it's taking longer to drop? Is it possible that the ammonia levels may never drop to if I don't get mature media? I'm worried that I won't be able to get any from an established tank, and may be left with few options but to restart my tank.

Edd

Hi Edd, newbie here but learning loads! Have you checked out the 'Beginners Resource Centre' at top of page? Good source of info! From the little I've learned your temperature sounds good; you don't mention aeration...plenty of O2 needed; airstone in there, filter outlet disturbing water surface etc...

Good luck!

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Eddsch.
It is possible that your tap water supply is so "clean" that you have no bacteria to reproduce and use in your tank's filter. I have never seen it but it is theoretically possible. In that case a massive water change may well introduce that missing bacterium and let you get started. Depending on where you are located, there are also media donors here on TFF who have mature filters with plenty of media to get you started. It is an almost total guarantee that will give you a good start.

 

[Eddsch]

Hey guys!

So I've managed to find a friend who is willing to help me resolve my issues by donating his filter! It's the first time either of us have attempted a donation, so I just have a few questions if I may:


1. Unfortunately my friend has just replaced his filter only 3 days ago! I presume all the bacteria will be dead from the old filter by now. However, he has offered to give me his new filter once it has enough bacteria grown on it. How long would it take for a new filter to grow sufficient bacteria to help my tank?

2. What's the best way to transport the filter to my tank? He lives around 60mins away. Should it just be bagged up? Or should he try and bring it in some of his mature water? Any idea how long the bacteria will stay alive for?

3. Is there anything I should know before adding the filter into my tank/anything I must do to prepare?

4. Do I begin re-adding pure ammonia as soon as the new filter is in place? I presume it needs feeding!

5. Do I need to do any water changes etc?

6. His tank was not cycled via a fishless cycle, however the tank is over 12months old. Will this still yield the benefits of a fishless cycle?


Thank you very, very, very much! I appreciate some of these questions may be answered on other topics, however I wanted to make sure the answers there were relevant to my situation. Any additional information you think I should know would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Edd

 

[The Taffy Apple]

If at all possible, get round and see this stuff. If it has been kept warm, wet and with some oxygen passing through it then there is a chance it could still be very valuable to you. I wont bother answering any of the further questions (no offence) until you know the state of this donated media. for getting hold of some though, i hope it is still of value to you.

Terry.

 

[KittyKat]

1. Unfortunately my friend has just replaced his filter only 3 days ago! I presume all the bacteria will be dead from the old filter by now. However, he has offered to give me his new filter once it has enough bacteria grown on it. How long would it take for a new filter to grow sufficient bacteria to help my tank?

If the filter has been kept wet, then 25% of the bacteria should be alive. It will take 6-12+ weeks for the new filter to cycle if it was not seeded. 6 weeks is the minimum time even if it was seeded.

2. What's the best way to transport the filter to my tank? He lives around 60mins away. Should it just be bagged up? Or should he try and bring it in some of his mature water? Any idea how long the bacteria will stay alive for?

Bag up with a bit of water and air, don't let it dry out.

3. Is there anything I should know before adding the filter into my tank/anything I must do to prepare?

Dump it in should work fine unless it gets particularly chilled or warm in transit, in which case let the temperature adjust first.

4. Do I begin re-adding pure ammonia as soon as the new filter is in place? I presume it needs feeding!

Read about dose and wait method, re-add ammonia only when it has run out.

5. Do I need to do any water changes etc?

A large one won't hurt, temperature match and dechlorinate, of course.

6. His tank was not cycled via a fishless cycle, however the tank is over 12months old. Will this still yield the benefits of a fishless cycle?

..huh? The only long term benefit of fish-less over fish-in is that fish don't get hurt.

 

[Eddsch]

Thank you both for the responses.

I am going to get the filter tonight - so it'd been 4 days without much water/oxygen but it's my best shot at the moment!

 

[KittyKat]

I am going to get the filter tonight - so it'd been 4 days without much water/oxygen but it's my best shot at the moment!

Basically, if the filter has been kept moist, then around 50% of the bacteria will die off per day (so 100% of the bacteria are there on day 0, 50% on day 1, 25% on day 2, etc.). So now that it is day 4, only 6% of bacteria will still be alive, but that is still quite a lot more than are in tap water, so it's always better than nothing