Fishless cycling

[Tyler777]

Well I added the Tetra safe start n these are the results.

PH ........................ 7.6 ppm
Ammonia ..............1.0 ppm
Nitrites ................. 2.0 ppm
Nitrates ................ 40 ppm

Honestly I'm gettingvtired of waiting

 

[Essjay]

Ammonia is not low enough yet, I'm afraid The danger with adding ammonia too soon is that you'll end up with so much nitrite it stalls the cycle.


When I did a fishless cycle, it took 7 weeks to complete, though I did not use a bacterial starter............

 

[Tyler777]

Ammonia is not low enough yet, I'm afraid The danger with adding ammonia too soon is that you'll end up with so much nitrite it stalls the cycle.


When I did a fishless cycle, it took 7 weeks to complete, though I did not use a bacterial starter............

Doing a water change or adding more bacteria would help to hurry up the cycling ?

 

[Essjay]

Doing a water change sometimes help when nitrate is very high; you can try this if you wish. Half an hour after the water change test for ammonia and nitrite. If ammonia is zero and nitrite very low you need to add ammonia to get 3 ppm then go back to testing every third day.

Yes you can add more bacteria. If your filter allows easy access pour it in there rather than in the water.

 

[Tyler777]

Doing a water change sometimes help when nitrate is very high; you can try this if you wish. Half an hour after the water change test for ammonia and nitrite. If ammonia is zero and nitrite very low you need to add ammonia to get 3 ppm then go back to testing every third day.

Yes you can add more bacteria. If your filter allows easy access pour it in there rather than in the water.

Thanks man, I appreciate ur help

 

[Tyler777]

Thanks man, I appreciate ur help

Ok I just tested the tank after adding bacteria on Sunday.
Ammonia is 0.50 ppm and Nitrites are 2.0 ppm. Nitrites didn't change at all for 2 weeks not even with bacteria added to the tank

 

[MaloK]

If nitrite didn't change for a week and you added ammonia...

It's working, your nitrite are starting to be converted. if it was not, it would continue to rise.

I would add ammonia and hope nitrite start to lower next tests.

You're on the right way in my book.

 

[Tyler777]

If nitrite didn't change for a week and you added ammonia...

It's working, your nitrite are starting to be converted. if it was not, it would continue to rise.

I would add ammonia and hope nitrite start to lower next tests.

You're on the right way in my book.

I didn't add ammonia. I only added bacteria from tetras safe something to rush the cycling. I'm tired of waiting to b cycled

 

[MaloK]

Yeah, I understand, But What I mean is since the start of your cycle...

You added ammonia... (don't make me read the whole thread back and quote you)

Sep 25, 2024
Ok I just did an Ammonia n Nitrite test. Ammonia was 4.0 ppm and Nitrites was 2.0 ppm.

You where suggested to add ammonia far before today, and your cycle is presenting itself in a godly manner.

If your nitrite are not really rising off chart. I would maintain a good ammonia supply.

 

[Essjay]

Yes, you are now at the stage where ammonia is under 0.75 and nitrite at or over 2 ppm. This is the next stage, from the fishless cycling method on here -

If at any time after the first ammonia addition (Dose #1) you test and ammonia is under .75 ppm and nitrite is clearly over 2 ppm, it is time to add more ammonia (Dose #2). Add the same full amount as you did the first time. Now, begin to test the ammonia and nitrite levels every other day.

What you are looking for after adding ammonia is a bit complex to explain. Test every other day till ammonia reads zero. Then test again after another 2 days. If ammonia is zero again you are ready for the next stage. You must have zero ammonia and zero ammonia again 2 days later. The nitrite reading does not matter at this stage.

 

[Tyler777]

Yeah, I understand, But What I mean is since the start of your cycle...

You added ammonia... (don't make me read the whole thread back and quote you)

Sep 25, 2024
Ok I just did an Ammonia n Nitrite test. Ammonia was 4.0 ppm and Nitrites was 2.0 ppm.

You where suggested to add ammonia far before today, and your cycle is presenting itself in a godly manner.

If your nitrite are not really rising off chart. I would maintain a good ammonia supply.

Oh, I see your point

 

[Tyler777]

Yes, you are now at the stage where ammonia is under 0.75 and nitrite at or over 2 ppm. This is the next stage, from the fishless cycling method on here -

What you are looking for after adding ammonia is a bit complex to explain. Test every other day till ammonia reads zero. Then test again after another 2 days. If ammonia is zero again you are ready for the next stage. You must have zero ammonia and zero ammonia again 2 days later. The nitrite reading does not matter at this stage.all

Hey Brother, should I add more ammonia to the tank? The bacteria adding didn't help much with the Nitrites so give me an advice brother, I really need this tank to finish cycling once n for al

 

[Essjay]

I have been using TwoTankAmin's method to guide you. In very simple terms this is -

#1 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#2 Test every 3 days until ammonia is under 0.75 and nitrite over 2 ppm
#3 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#4 Test every 2 days until you get zero ammonia and zero ammonia again 2 days later (Two zeros in a row)
#5 Add 1 ppm ammonia
#6 Test every day until ammonia is under 0.25 ppm AND nitrite is under 1 ppm.
#7 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#8 Test next day.
#9 If both are zero the cycle has finished but if they are not BOTH zero, add another 3 ppm ammonia and test again next day. If both are zero the cycle has finished; if one or other is not zero add 3 ppm ammonia and test next day. Continue with #9 until both are zero after 24 hours.
#10 Do a huge water change and get fish

In post #81 you were at stage #2. If you did add ammonia yesterday you are at stage #4.

 

[Tyler777]

I have been using TwoTankAmin's method to guide you. In very simple terms this is -

#1 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#2 Test every 3 days until ammonia is under 0.75 and nitrite over 2 ppm
#3 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#4 Test every 2 days until you get zero ammonia and zero ammonia again 2 days later (Two zeros in a row)
#5 Add 1 ppm ammonia
#6 Test every day until ammonia is under 0.25 ppm AND nitrite is under 1 ppm.
#7 Add 3 ppm ammonia
#8 Test next day.
#9 If both are zero the cycle has finished but if they are not BOTH zero, add another 3 ppm ammonia and test again next day. If both are zero the cycle has finished; if one or other is not zero add 3 ppm ammonia and test next day. Continue with #9 until both are zero after 24 hours.
#10 Do a huge water change and get fish

In post #81 you were at stage #2. If you did add ammonia yesterday you are at stage #4.

Ok thanks

 

[Tyler777]

Ok thanks

The thing that confuses me is when you say add 3ppm of ammonia and I don't know how much ammonia is 3 ppm. 1 teaspoon 2, 3 I just don't know how much to add to be 3 ppm