Fishless Cycling In Progress

[DebraAustin]

Good good debra.

my fish had a small set back. one died yesterday from Flexibacter Columnaris, or mouth rot. Sadly identifying symptoms didnt appear untill yesterday morning, up untill then many diff diseases were suspected, from lack of air in water to gill flukes.

It has been slightly saddening in that i spent alot of care and time doing my fishless cycle to ensure the best start for my wee guys and gals.

However, going over all my records, the water parameters were superb, everything is the way it should be, as evident from the other fish not showing any symptoms.

So even though the fishless cycle is not infallible, it is still good.

OOO, sorry to hear about your fish. I think my tank is about ready. I won't be able to do anything until the end of this week, though, so will continue to watch all the parameters. Maybe the fish that died had been infected before you bought it. I hope so and that is isn't something rampanty catching. I'm sending all your other fishies good thoughts.

Keep me posted!

Debra

 

[wheelyfeet]

In high school I actually had 5 Debbies in one class,

I do volunteer work at a small agency where I also served my internship. We have me, 1 staff, 1 other volunteer, and 1 client named either Debra or Debbie! I am nicknamed "Indy" for "intern Debra."

My nitrites are definitely starting to cycle, yippee!

I'm getting ready to do the happy nitrite dance!

That will mean it has been about three weeks for my tank to completely cycle.

About perfect for a good supply of bacteria.

Deb

 

[Iann]

I'm nearly there, two weeks and a few days on the fishless cycle. i've had enough of friends saying,"Eh there's no fish in your tank, how come?"

 

[dgwebster]

i know the feeling about people wondering why i had no fish.

The store only guarantees against death (well refund/replace) within 48 hours, but at 99p each buy 5 get 1 free im not going to bother with that, as it will also be a bit of time before i get to go there again (the store is about 20 miles away in another town.)

I will say though, although they only guarantee against death within 48 hours of purchase, this store is incredibly immaculate and they take great care and lengths to help ensure the ill/unfit for sale ones dont really get through and is owned/run by a Marine Biologist. I was extremely impressed with the store and the maintenance of the tanks. I have never before met such a fish store.

 

[wheelyfeet]

I have never before met such a fish store.

Alas, Scotland is a bit of a "drive" for me. I wish we had a few truly quality stores near me. I have heard and seen some crazy things out of the mouths of those who should know more than I.

My husband and I just purchased a 90 gallon (340L) tank to dedicate to discus. The discus will be a while coming, so I have I plenty of time to do the fishless cycle and get the plants ordered and planted. It will be our showcase tank and the first one out in the public area of the house. I'm sure we'll get a few comments about our fishless tank!

 

[dgwebster]

well im flying to chicago IL (airport), tampa FL (odessa) and Dallas TX (Fort Worth) this Saturday morning. want me to bring anything? We've alread been requested for Mars bars, Dairy Milk chocolate, Whiskey (we are actually over the tex free import limit), shot glasses, tartans and a few other nik-naks. lol.

 

[wheelyfeet]

well im flying to chicago IL (airport), tampa FL (odessa) and Dallas TX (Fort Worth) this Saturday morning. want me to bring anything? We've alread been requested for Mars bars, Dairy Milk chocolate, Whiskey (we are actually over the tex free import limit), shot glasses, tartans and a few other nik-naks. lol.

Even THOSE places are a bit of a drive. Anyhow, I think it's illegal to bring in fish! Have a great trip.

 

[DebraAustin]

Well today is the day. My ammonia and nitrites are cycling quite nicely. I am going to clean my tank this morning, then later this afternoon I'll be out running a few errands and I will pick up my first fish. I'm pretty excited. Hope they do well. I've certainly tried to create a good home for them.

Debra

 

[Vicky99]

So cool!! I'm really enjoying reading your progress - it's so exciting when you can see everything coming together and then it's Fishy Time!!

Makes me want to start a new one for myself!!

 

[DebraAustin]

So cool!! I'm really enjoying reading your progress - it's so exciting when you can see everything coming together and then it's Fishy Time!!

Makes me want to start a new one for myself!!

Well I didn't get to buy my fish today and it seems like it was good that I didn't. I had an emergency client that took up most of my morning so I didn't get to clean out my tank and do the large water change. However, since I wasn't going to get any fish I went ahead and put ammonia in it to keep the bacteria fed. Well I checked last night and both the ammonia and nitrites were back off the scale. Any ideas what is going on? Everything was cycling so well.

Debra

 

[wheelyfeet]

Any ideas what is going on? Everything was cycling so well.

Perhaps your pH has dropped too low, this can be caused by the household ammonia. When the pH drops too low the nitrogen cycle won't work. I would test for KH levels and for pH levels, since good KH is necessary for stable pH.

 

[DebraAustin]

Any ideas what is going on? Everything was cycling so well.

Perhaps your pH has dropped too low, this can be caused by the household ammonia. When the pH drops too low the nitrogen cycle won't work. I would test for KH levels and for pH levels, since good KH is necessary for stable pH.

Thanks for the idea. I ended up doing a water change (no-one answered my question in 12 hours and I felt I had to do something). After more than 24 hours my ammonia was still at 4 and my nitrites were off the scale. This has set me back a little, but at least the cycle is continuing although not at the 12 hours. I'll just have to wait another week or so to get my fish. I don't know what happened. I will check the pH. With the water change I don't expect I have much in the nitrate level. It seems something killed off most of the bacteria. When you say low do you mean too acid or too alkaline. People say it different ways. Some say low when they mean alkaline (even though the number is high) and other say low when they mean acidic (because the numbers are getting lower). Believe it or not when I lived in NM our soil was so alkaline that if you poured vinegar on it it frothed!

I didn't clean the filter with regular water, just water from the tank. So at least I have some bacteria from that. I'll just have to wait for it to build back up. I'm beginning to think that I am always going to just have a tank, sans fish. Sometimes I think I'm five years old I get so antsy to have something swimming in the water, LOL.

Debra

 

[Vicky99]

Oh no - so sorry - it's really disappointing (my tank seemed to take forever when I started it!) - it'll get there though! I'm the same - I get excited about something and can't wait to get it done - it is all the better for the wait though and knowing that you've done everything right to give your fish a good start!!

Keep giving the updates!

 

[wheelyfeet]

When you say low do you mean too acid or too alkaline.

I mean low numbers, too acid. The ammonia in grocery store ammonia cleaner is in the form of ammonium hydroxide plus detergents. When ammonium hydroxide dissociates, NH3 and carbon dioxides are formed. CO2 is acidic. An aquarium is a closed system and all these molecules stay in the tank unless water changes are preformed. Also, over time, the KH drops too low to hold the pH stable any longer. The pH may fluctuate or crash low. KH is also called temporary hardness. It is what you see when you see deposited where faucets drip. You may see it deposited in various place in your aquarium. Especially under the top. You'll want your KH in your tank to be relatively close to your tap water.

I didn't clean the filter with regular water, just water from the tank. So at least I have some bacteria from that.

Good. Hopefully, you have enough bacteria left to get the cycle going quickly. I'd do a large enough water change to get your KH and pH in order if that turns out to be the problem. I'd also wait for the ammonia to hit 0 before adding any more drops. Then I'd go really light.

Sometimes I think I'm five years old I get so antsy to have something swimming in the water, LOL.

I can't say I am any different, and you've been more than patient!

 

[DebraAustin]

When you say low do you mean too acid or too alkaline.

I mean low numbers, too acid. The ammonia in grocery store ammonia cleaner is in the form of ammonium hydroxide plus detergents. When ammonium hydroxide dissociates, NH3 and carbon dioxides are formed. CO2 is acidic. An aquarium is a closed system and all these molecules stay in the tank unless water changes are preformed. Also, over time, the KH drops too low to hold the pH stable any longer. The pH may fluctuate or crash low. KH is also called temporary hardness. It is what you see when you see deposited where faucets drip. You may see it deposited in various place in your aquarium. Especially under the top. You'll want your KH in your tank to be relatively close to your tap water.

I didn't clean the filter with regular water, just water from the tank. So at least I have some bacteria from that.

Good. Hopefully, you have enough bacteria left to get the cycle going quickly. I'd do a large enough water change to get your KH and pH in order if that turns out to be the problem. I'd also wait for the ammonia to hit 0 before adding any more drops. Then I'd go really light.

Sometimes I think I'm five years old I get so antsy to have something swimming in the water, LOL.

I can't say I am any different, and you've been more than patient!

Thanks again to all of you for your support. I did at least a 75% water change the other day. My pH is now at 7.2. Don't have any white film on anything (including under the hood). The ammonia is processing, but very, very slowly. I am letting it get near zero before I add any more. Nitrites are staying really low right now, so I know I've got some rebuilding of the bacteria to do. Ah well that is part of life. I just have to remember it is the journey not the destination, ha! So, I'll just be sitting "tight" for awhile as things get back to where they were. Glad it went funky before I put my fish in and not after!

Debra