Fishless Cycling Over Thanksgiving

[cryslea]

So fishless cycling has been a patience-teaching exercise. I started my tank in August, and even with the addition of some mature media, well, it's taken forever. That's besides the point.

My ammonia is coming down within 24-36 hours, and my nitrites just came down to zero for the first time this morning. I've been re-dosing ammonia every time it hits zero, but now we're leaving for Thanksgiving on Wednesday and won't be back until Sunday night. We have someone coming to check on the cats on Friday, but they don't know anything about fish.

So. I can't get fish yet to keep the cycle going, so my options are:

1. Fish food. When do I put it in? How long does it take to start breaking down? How much do I put in for five days? (I know it's not an exact science, but can you give me an estimate?)

2. Raw shrimp. But I don't have any, and don't eat it, so I don't want to buy some. Is there something else I can substitute? Canned tuna? Anything?

3. Dose ammonia on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Is that too long in between? I'm afraid my bacteria will start to die.

4. A LOT of ammonia. Like 4 times as much. Will this matter? Or will the bacteria get too efficient and will end up with nothing to eat?

Or is there something else I can do to keep this going? I can't believe I'm SO CLOSE and don't want to screw it up.

Thanks everyone!

 

[xptweakerntn]

Now I really don't have any clue, but this is my thought. Put the normal ammount of Ammonnia in before you leave, the same amount you've been adding. Then, tank some fish food, not much, but about a good pinch, and place it on the complete opposite side in your aquarium than where your filter is. You're hoping that it land on the gravel as far from your filter as possible. Hey, its just my guess, try it if you have to. If someone else seems to know more, go with them.

 

[Gremily]

I don't think adding LOTS of ammonia is a good idea, too much can be bad for the bacteria so I wouldn't bother. Also I've heard that adding raw shrimp/prawn or fish food can cause a bad smell and it also takes a while for them to break down as well so I would do that either.
I think as long as you dose with more ammonia within 24 hours of it dropping to zero you should be ok, so maybe dose normally before you leave on Wednesday and try to get someone to add more on Friday/Saturday morning (tell them how much of a pipette to fill up, they don't need to know anything about fish and you could demonstrate to them before you leave) and then test and add when you get back.

Also the reason your cycle might be taking so long could be to do with the hardness of your water. During fishless cycling soft water can become very acidic as more ammonia is processed and as the pH gets below about 6 the bacteria slows down. I've found this with the 3 tanks I've cycled, so if you live in a soft water area you could try adding something to up the pH next time you cycle (or this time if it's taking a while).

 

[backtotropical]

Hi,

Fish food won't produce enough ammonia to feed the bacteria you have already established. You can't dose too much ammonia because it will sterilise the tank and kill all the bacteria.

I think your best bet is this

If your filter is processing your ammonia in 24-36 hrs, dose on wednesday just before you leave, get your friend to dose again on friday and dose as soon as you come back on sunday. (Leave a pre-measured amount for your friend and ask him / her just to pour it into the tank.)

I dont know what level you raise ammonia to just now, but before you go raise it to 5ppm.

You could also put some fish food in for good luck. If you do, put it in a pair of tights and tie it so it doesn't mess your tank.

You might lose some or all of your bacteria (hopefully not), but i think that is the best option you have.

Hope this helps.

BTT

edit: Don't you know anyone you could ask to come in each day to pour some ammonia in? They don't need to know about fish if you leave pre-measured amounts. Just a thought.