Fishless Cycle Progress

[rowdyates]

Hi All,

Still cycling my tank (180 litres), been going 14 days now and I'm at the point where I'm adding about 5ml of ammonia every other day (when the reading drops to 0). The nitrites are off the scale at the moment and have been for the last 6 days so I think everything is on track. My question is normally how long does it take before the nitrites peak and start coming down?

Cheers,

Keith

 

[houndour]

mine took about 2 weeks from first seeing nitrites to then going to zero. But it varies from tank to tank.

 

[modernhamlet]

Hi All,

Still cycling my tank (180 litres), been going 14 days now and I'm at the point where I'm adding about 5ml of ammonia every other day (when the reading drops to 0). The nitrites are off the scale at the moment and have been for the last 6 days so I think everything is on track. My question is normally how long does it take before the nitrites peak and start coming down?

[snapback]906253[/snapback]​

In my experience, nitrites take about twice as long as ammonia does to drop. Looks like you're right on track.

8 days ammonia + 14-17 days nitrite = around 3 weeks

That's about how long both of my fishless cycles took.

 

[rdd1952]

Hi All,

Still cycling my tank (180 litres), been going 14 days now and I'm at the point where I'm adding about 5ml of ammonia every other day (when the reading drops to 0). The nitrites are off the scale at the moment and have been for the last 6 days so I think everything is on track. My question is normally how long does it take before the nitrites peak and start coming down?

[snapback]906253[/snapback]​

In my experience, nitrites take about twice as long as ammonia does to drop. Looks like you're right on track.

8 days ammonia + 14-17 days nitrite = around 3 weeks

That's about how long both of my fishless cycles took.

[snapback]906642[/snapback]​

I agree 100%. I have cycled 4 or 5 tanks now and almost everyone has been within a day or so of running the same course. The reason it tanks nitrite longer is that with the ammonia, you add it once and then wait for it to drop. With nitrite, you are basically adding more everyday after the ammonia drops (the 5 ml of ammonia you are adding each day is turning into nitrite). So naturally, it tanks longer for enough bacteria to form to handle the larger amount of nitrite.

 

[rowdyates]

I'm still adding 5ml of ammonia a day and it's gone when I test the following day, the nitrites are still off the scale, today being the 17th day since I detected nitrite, hopefully this is still ok, I had expected to have seen it drop by now, but I must admit I am starting to get a bit worried somethings wrong especially as I read something about the fishless cycle stalling!

Should I just hang on in or should (if there is anything) I be looking to take some form of action.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Fish_Mike]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I'm cycling my tank, and my Nitrites have been off the charts for about 2 weeks now. I'm getting worried, but again, reading this post gives me some hope

 

[Durbkat]

I've cycled all my tank in 2 days. I know what you all are going to say "no you can't, thats not possible" But its true because after two days I got it tested and they said it was in good condition and all fish lived and are still alive today.

 

[Bloo]

I've cycled all my tank in 2 days. I know what you all are going to say "no you can't, thats not possible" But its true because after two days I got it tested and they said it was in good condition and all fish lived and are still alive today.

[snapback]915137[/snapback]​

Oh it's entirely possible. But that's generally achieved by cloning and using substrate, water or filter media from an established tank
Your tanks are also much smaller but if you did none of the above mentioned, I'd take a guess that your tank did not even start cycling.

 

[rowdyates]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I'm cycling my tank, and my Nitrites have been off the charts for about 2 weeks now. I'm getting worried, but again, reading this post gives me some hope

[snapback]915128[/snapback]​

How big is your tank, think mine equates to 40ish US gallons, so if your about the same size then maybe we'll be ok.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Fish_Mike]

Mine is 90 gallons.

I'm actaully getting REALLY annoyed of waiting for it to cycle, i'm so eager to get the fish in, but don't want to go wrong. I already have an established 20 gallon, so i may use that to help seed the other tank.

 

[rowdyates]

Wow, bit bigger than mine then, I guess you'll be waiting a bit longer than me as well, from what I've read seeding from your established tank would speed it along, I didn't have that option though. I'll post when mines cycled so at least you'll have an idea of times.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Durbkat]

Well it did. Gotta go guys.

 

[rowdyates]

Tell you now Durbkat, wish mine had cycled in 2 days as I'd now be looking at some fish instead of swaying green plants !

Keith

 

[modernhamlet]

Well it did. Gotta go guys.

[snapback]915185[/snapback]​

Don't confuse ignorance and luck with knowledge and skill.

 

[cyprinut]

Hang in there. In my experience when the nitrite starts to fall, it really goes fast. It seems like the bacteria population reaches a critical mass and bam.