Gr44's Fishless Cycle Log

[Gr44]

I'll need to pick one up, don't have anything like that yet!!

Silly question... when it comes to cleaning what do I need... just a gravel vac - I assume this will also remove the water for me anyway... so just a gravel vac + bucket?

Thanks!

 

[OldMan47]

You need a simple gravel vac / siphon and a bucket that is never used for anything but the fish. I keep a bucket upstairs for my fish room and another downstairs for my family room where the other half of my fish live. I also have a gravel vac in each place.

 

[Gr44]

Just checked Ammonia & Nitrite - both 0ppm.. added 4-5ppm...

Kinda drunk and off in search of food... night!!

Thanks OM47, will pick the kit up soon

 

[Gr44]

Hi all,

Done another test about 12 hours after.

I still have;

Ammonia = 1 ppm
Nitrite = 1ppm

One question too, I have some filter sponge stuff that a member gave me, I put it in the tank between some rocks to help move it to my filter... can I remove this now?

Thanks

 

[OldMan47]

The bacteria in the sponge would be much more effective at seeding your new filter if you had placed the sponge sample into the filter to get it started. Is there some way to cut it up and put the pieces into the filter on the tank? It probably still has plenty of live bacteria that are helping get you cycled.

 

[Gr44]

I did put as much as I could fit in to the filter when I got it, but the filter sponge I was given is a totally differant shape etc. I wedged what I could and placed the rest between the rock.

Obviously some what un-slightly though so I could do with removing it at some point!

I'm tempted to subscribe to PFK (UK Magazine) which give you a free U2 or U3 filter... I could plumb that up along with my existing filter which might help... I'm still worried the one I have may be a little small (as discussed before!)

I'd just like to get this thing cycled asap so I can get some bloomin' fish!!

Test for 20:50 tonight

pH = 7.2-7.4
Ammonia = 0.25-0.5ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = Not Tested

Well, no ammonia added tonight!

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Gr44,

Are you about at Day 19 or so as it says in your first post log or have you been fishless cycling longer than that now? A look through your posts seems to indicate you may be past your nitrite spike phase now and things are bouncing around before settling down for good.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[coldcazzie]

Hi Gr44,

Are you about at Day 19 or so as it says in your first post log or have you been fishless cycling longer than that now? A look through your posts seems to indicate you may be past your nitrite spike phase now and things are bouncing around before settling down for good.

~~waterdrop~~

He's on day 28 ish - started the same day I did

 

[Gr44]

Cazzie is correct(ish) I've some what neglected the main post since I returned from my break but I will update it properly tomorrow to provide a clearer picture!

Today (29ish) my results are:

Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm

I've added another dose of ammonia (~4-5ppm)

This is at 00:40 - I'm struggling with the 12 hour testing due to a some what hectic life style!

 

[waterdrop]

Maybe a different 12 hour offset would work? (a different set of am/pm 12 hours apart)

Its gotta be a good thing that you're sometimes getting double-zeros!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Gr44]

Well I'm working from home tomorrow so I can do at least 1 proper 12 hour test lol.

Problem is I normally leave the house by 6am - which is a bit of a rush in the morning and not normally back until 9-10pm I don't have the chance in the mornings to start testing water, I'm normally driving like a mad man to get the train!!

But got tomorrow & Friday working from home so can do it properly then ;-)

What do you think about removing that filter sponge from the tank?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[OldMan47]

In your position, I would hold off removing the sponge until the tank shows fully cycled. It will still be helping a little although not much, being out of the main flow path.

 

[Gr44]

Thanks OM47

Righto, checked results;

00:00

Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0.50ppm

Do'h!

Apologies, I will update the main thread to make it easier to read tomorrow... long, long, long day today... left the house at 5:30am got back at gone 9pm My working from home has disapeared too so no chance on the 12 hour checks this week, atleast not tomorrow!

No ammonia added today!

 

[Gr44]

Day Thirty Five - 10:20

pH = 7.4-7.6
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 80+ppm

I've added ammonia.

Updated the log on the main page... would be grateful if you could have a read and let me know where I stand! been really busy at work so missed a few tests recently

 

[OldMan47]

It looks like you get a double zero now and then at 24 hours. Have you tried doing a 12 hour test to see how close you are getting?