Fishless Cycling

[jaywings19]

Okay... I was on a roll with the fishless cycling... and now I'm stumped. I started my fishless cycling (second attempt) on May 30th. I kept adding the recommended dosage of Ammonia for my 72G over the next week... until the Ammonia level went above my test kit's readable level.

Finally, on June 13th (Day 13)... I got a slight NitrIte reading. The NitrIte level increased a bit for the next few days. However, the NitrIte as of today is all gone... but Ammonia still remains!

The charting looks like this:

June 13
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 0.25 ppm
Nitrate - 40 ppm (leftover from my previous fishless cycling attempt)
* No Ammonia Added *

June 14
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 2.0 ppm
Nitrate - Did not test
* No Ammonia Added *

June 15
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 3.0 ppm
Nitrate - Did not test
* No Ammonia Added *

June 16
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 4.0 ppm
Nitrate - Did not test
* Half Dosage Ammonia Added *

June 17
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 4.0 ppm
Nitrate - Did not test
* Half Dosage Ammonia Added *

June 18
Ammonia - 10.00 ppm (estimated)
Nitrite - 5.0 ppm
Nitrate - Did not test
* Half Dosage Ammonia Added *

June 19
Ammonia - 8.00 ppm
Nitrite - 0.0 ppm
Nitrate - 80 ppm
* No Ammonia Added *

Now, I am guessing that the NitrIte disappeared because the second beneficial bacteria ate it (thus the rise in NitrAte from 40-80 during that span).

But shouldn't the Ammonia have dropped completely before the NitrIte disappeared? Should I continue adding Ammonia at this point? Or just let the Ammonia disappear on it's own and add fish?

 

[SnowyzMom]

Okay that's way over my head datawise, I can only suggest the following site which I'd use if starting a fishless cyling setup. Maybe it'll help? www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycling.html It's supposed to be a 10-14 day cycling setup. Yes, that short. Hope it helps!

SnowyZMom

 

[heresmike]

But shouldn't the Ammonia have dropped completely before the NitrIte disappeared? Should I continue adding Ammonia at this point? Or just let the Ammonia disappear on it's own and add fish?

Are you sure about that nitrite reading? Did you re-check it? Yes, I think the ammonia should've dropped to 0 before the nitrite did. I wouldn't add any more ammonia at this point either. When I fishless cycle, I shoot for 4 - 5. Maybe you should let the ammo drop to that level, and retest the nitrites to see where you're at.

 

[luxum]

You need to wait for the ammonia converting bacteria to finish converting all that ammonia. You've had a nitrite spike which was converted, so at this point i'd say do water changes until you can get ammonia in the measurable range (5ppm is good) and then wait until the colony converts it. Once it reads zero, dose again and then check in 24 hours to see if that dose has been completely converted. Given the weird trouble you've had, i would repeat that final process at least 3 days to make sure everything is stable.

 

[jaywings19]

You need to wait for the ammonia converting bacteria to finish converting all that ammonia. You've had a nitrite spike which was converted, so at this point i'd say do water changes until you can get ammonia in the measurable range (5ppm is good) and then wait until the colony converts it. Once it reads zero, dose again and then check in 24 hours to see if that dose has been completely converted. Given the weird trouble you've had, i would repeat that final process at least 3 days to make sure everything is stable.

That's what I was thinking. Though why the water change now? Shouldn't I just wait until the Ammonia goes on its own? I know that will take longer, but is that the better thing to do?

 

[heresmike]

I wouldn't do a water change now.

 

[luxum]

The only reason i say that is because you've already had a nitrite spike and the ammonia is just way off balance. If you take it to the 5ppm level that's still plenty of ammonia, and it should finish you up. It will still cycle even if you don't, but it will take longer. I've done the fishless cycle several times, you can bring the ammonia down a bit now and it will finish a bit sooner with a smaller but plenty big bacterial bed, or you can let all that ammonia remain in the tank and wait out the nitrite spike you'll end up with. Me personally, i'd do a water change at this point.

This is all assuming your test kits are not faulty, and i'm not sure if that's been ruled out yet.

 

[jaywings19]

The only reason i say that is because you've already had a nitrite spike and the ammonia is just way off balance. If you take it to the 5ppm level that's still plenty of ammonia, and it should finish you up. It will still cycle even if you don't, but it will take longer. I've done the fishless cycle several times, you can bring the ammonia down a bit now and it will finish a bit sooner with a smaller but plenty big bacterial bed, or you can let all that ammonia remain in the tank and wait out the nitrite spike you'll end up with. Me personally, i'd do a water change at this point.

This is all assuming your test kits are not faulty, and i'm not sure if that's been ruled out yet.

Test kit isn't faulty... I retested with another test kit and one of those quick dip tests. All 3 had the same readings today.

I'll probably do a water change on Sunday to get the Ammonia lower, then let nature take its course. Once the reading is at zero, then I'll add maintenance dosages each day to make sure it is really cycled.