Fishless Cycling

[CezzaXV]

When I was in the nitrite phase of my cycle, I found it useful to do a water change to bring my nitrite down to readable levels. It won't make any difference to your cycle, but it helped keep me sane! It helps keep your enthusiasm up when you can actually see what's going on, especially when you can see every day that it's processed more than it did yesterday, even if it's not at 0 yet.

 

[stacey3272]

Thank Guys. I thunk Sat I may cahnge a little water out...I thinkI was putting to much ammonia in . Not way to much but I found the calulator and put in for a 55 gallon and it told me about 10 Ml to add I tink I was a bit over. So I did that after the ammonia was 0 again and it cycled out faster. So I am changing some water this weekend and see what I come up with...

I will see what I can come up with . Thanks again for responding.

Ammonia is at about 0.25 ppm. The nitrite reading is off scale, not at a nominal 5.0.

thanks Its very hard for me to tell between the yellows

 

[nebraskaz71]

Hey just joined and need a lil help. Ive read through the thread but cant figure out my tank. I'm doing a first time fishless cycle on my 75 gallon aquarium using the wait method and pure ammonia. I did add prime the first day and let it sit 24hrs before I began the ammonia process and i used stability for a couple days just cause I had a new bottle here.

I have hard well water.

PH 8.2
83 degrees

I started with 4ppm of ammonia and by day 7 my API kit was showing what looked like 5+ppm of nitrites. I'm on day 14 now and my tank is processing 4ppm of ammonia in 3-4hrs which seems insane, i add 4ppm twice daily now. My nitrites last night looked more like 2ppm and the same tonight. However my nitrates are only at 20ppm which they have been for over a week. If my nitrites dropped shouldnt my nitrates have risin? I cant believe its processing this much ammonia that fast. Not sure if this is correct or if somethings going on.



update: tested nitrite again this morning and the tube went instant purple then after five mins it was like a clear with a black tint. I'm thinkin maybe my nitrites are just real high?

 

[fluttermoth]

That result on a nitrite test does indeed indicate that it's off the scale.

It might be worth doing a water change to reduce the nitrites a bit. And only add ammonia every 12 hours; the bacteria won't starve between additions.

 

[TraceyB]

Is Ammonia 8.0ppm to high

 

[nebraskaz71]

I'm doing ammonia every 12 hrs, i think ive decided nitrites are for sure off scales and its possible that my well water had the 20ppm of nitrates from the start, i never tested it and havnt had time today to try it. I think i'm just gonna wait a few more days and see what goes on before doing a water change. Does it take a long time once the nitrites are off the charts to turn to nitrates?

 

[stacey3272]

I'm doing ammonia every 12 hrs, i think ive decided nitrites are for sure off scales and its possible that my well water had the 20ppm of nitrates from the start, i never tested it and havnt had time today to try it. I think i'm just gonna wait a few more days and see what goes on before doing a water change. Does it take a long time once the nitrites are off the charts to turn to nitrates?

my Nitrites are off charts along with my Nitrates aswell. my ammonia will run thru with in 10 to 12 hours. I am going to go test my city water for nitrites and nitrates to see if that is what is making them stay so high I did do a half water change the other night did not help . I have a 55 gallon. I m right there with you. But I am starting week 4 I tthink

 

[balajake]

Is Ammonia 8.0ppm to high

do a 50% water change to get it to 4ppm. dechlorinate the water before you put it in the tank though

 

[stacey3272]

Is Ammonia 8.0ppm to high

do a 50% water change to get it to 4ppm. dechlorinate the water before you put it in the tank though

I checked my Nitrites and Nitrates of my tap water.


My nitrites are 0 but I think I will attach a picture my nitrate is about a 5 . It may not show in picture but it for sure is not yellow and 0. so what I am wondering. Do I need to take that into concidaration when i test my nitrates in futre for a accurate reding...

 

[balajake]

Need some help with my fish less cycle


Yesterday when I tested my ammonia was about 2ppm and my nitrites off the chart. Nitrates are about 10ppm. The tank has plants

This morning I tested and I had no nitrites, I double checked to be sure and the test was sky blue. I then checked my ammonia and it's at 1ppm and nitrates 5ppm. It's day 20 of my fishless cycle and I'm confused why the nitrites have come down before the ammonia has?



Stacey, they look like trace amounts so I would keep it in mind, but it's not a big deal really

 

[stacey3272]

Need some help with my fish less cycle


Yesterday when I tested my ammonia was about 2ppm and my nitrites off the chart. Nitrates are about 10ppm. The tank has plants

This morning I tested and I had no nitrites, I double checked to be sure and the test was sky blue. I then checked my ammonia and it's at 1ppm and nitrates 5ppm. It's day 20 of my fishless cycle and I'm confused why the nitrites have come down before the ammonia has?



Stacey, they look like trace amounts so I would keep it in mind, but it's not a big deal really

thanks I will

 

[TraceyB]

Is Ammonia 8.0ppm to high

do a 50% water change to get it to 4ppm. dechlorinate the water before you put it in the tank though

Have done thanks

 

[stacey3272]

Is Ammonia 8.0ppm to high

do a 50% water change to get it to 4ppm. dechlorinate the water before you put it in the tank though

Have done thanks

YES my nitrite are heading in the right direction fianlly this monring

 

[TraceyB]

Reading through this site made a lot of sense when understanding not only the importance of cycling but also the reasons why problems can arise

There is a lot of reading in it but useful all the same

http/www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html

 

[balajake]

i think i'm nearly there. 5 or 6 more days for me i reckon