Justfrozen's Fishless Cycle Log

[JustFrozen]

Day 1 (base - tap water with conditioner)
pH = 8.0
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrate = 0.0
Nitrite = 0.0
Notes = Added 4ml of 10% ammonia - used the calculator but put too much i think. 20 mins later (enough time?) tested again and it looked like it was somewhere between 5-8, but definitely over 5 =/ hopefully not past 8
I'm a bit surprised by the ammonia reading. I'm guessing it's either in the tap (although I never saw that with my previous tests with strips) or the tank somehow had some left over from running with used filter for days (but i cleaned it completely out 2 days ago with tap water, let it sit overnight, then filled it last night with tap)
also, i'm wondering about the api test kit i'm now using (we beginners usually have questions about it when we start using it). i've got no problems with the tests themselves including reading the results, but i'm wondering if its okay to clean the tube after testing and not dry it all the way? is it okay to have a few drops of tap in it for the next test?
one last thing, does this mean i dont add ammonia until i see zero? or do i try to get it to 5?

Day 2
Ammonia = 7.0 (i think - could be higher but to me it doesnt look worse than the darkest green. hard for me to tell)
pH,Nitrate,Nitrite = Is it really necessary to even test these at this point?
Not sure if I should just wait for the ammonia to go down, or do a small water change to try to get it closer to 5

Day 3
Ammonia = 7.0
Nitrite = 0.0
Notes: Considering using media from my betta tank. Yesterday I got my heater going and I'm not positive of the temperature, but my scale goes to 82F and it's not reading it. It's probably a few degrees higher - the water definitely feels warm.
Also, it looks like some people didn't start seeing results for almost too weeks, so I'm going to try to not worry too much and be patient

Day 4
Notes = As advised, did a water change (40%) to get ammonia down because it seemed it was too high. Test didn't change much after that so did another 50% water change. Now the level is definitely too low *sigh*. I'm having trouble getting the level just right. For some reason this is the hardest test for me to read, not to mention judge how much to adjust with. Going to go slowly add some more in this time, and hopefully get a good test result
Ammonia = 4-6
Nitrite = 0

Day 5
Ammonia = 4-6
Nitrite = 0
Notes: Still no signs of bacteria buildup. Hopefully I don't have chlorine in the water, but I feel like if anything, I used too much conditioner.

Day 6
Ammonia = 4-6

Day 7
Ammonia = 4-6
Nitrite = 0

Day 8
Ammonia = 2-6
Nitrite = 0
pH = 8
Notes: Not absolutely sure that it's lower, but it seems that way

Day 9
Ammonia = 4
Notes: I think it's been at 4 all along. Nothing different still... and btw the reason I've been testing nitrite sometimes without an ammonia drop is because I wanted to make sure I wasn't just reading the ammonia incorrectly

Day 10
Ammonia = 1.75!
Nitrite = 0.15!

Day 11
Ammonia = 1.0
Nitrite = 0.25

Day 12
Ammonia = 0.75
Nitrite = 0.5
pH = 8.0

Day 13
Ammonia = 0.75
Nitrite = 0.75

Day 14
Ammonia = 0.75
Nitrite = 1.0

Day 15
Ammonia = 0.6

Day 16
Ammonia = 0.25

Day 17
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 1.0
Notes: added 3ml 10% ammonia

Day 18
Ammonia = 3.0
Nitrite = 3.0

Day 19
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 4.0
Notes: added 3ml

Day 20
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 4.0
Nitrate = 5.0
Notes: added 4ml (~4ppm)

Day 21 Three week mark
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+
pH = 7.8
Notes: added 4ml

Day 22
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+
Nitrate = 7.5
Notes: added 5ml (~5ppm)

Day 23
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+
ph = 7.4
Notes: added 5ml

Day 24
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+

Day 25
Nitrite = 5+

Day 26
Nitrite = 5+
Notes: missed ammonia dosing the last couple nights. today i added 2ppm in the morning and again at night

Day 27
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+
pH = 7.4
Notes: added 2ppm

Day 28
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+
Notes: added 2ppm the following morning

Day 29
Nitrite = 5+
Notes: ah the smell of ammonia in the morning added 2ppm the following morning again

Day 30
Nitrite = 5+
Notes: forgot to dose ammonia tonight AND the next morning i think since i'm only testing a single drop (for nitrite) i keep moving on and forgetting about it. hopefully i'm not ruining the cycle too much

Day 31
Nitrite = 5+
pH = 7.2
Notes: added 3ppm

Day 32
Ammonia = 0.2
Nitrite = 5+
pH = 7.2
Notes: Past 1 month now. I'm worried I've messed up with the ammonia too much. My tank failed to clear a low 3ppm in 24 hours. I'm guessing it's probably okay for now though, considering the nitrite is still off the charts and there's plenty of time to get the ammonia processing to a satisfying level

Day 33
Ammonia = 0.0
Nitrite = 5+ Notes: Added 2ppm
Day 34 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: forgot to add ammonia
Day 35 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 36 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 37
Nitrite = 5+ pH = 6.8 i see u pH Notes: added 2ppm
Day 38 Nitrite = 5+
Day 39 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 6.6 Notes: Did a 75% water change + added 3ppm
Day 40 Ammonia = 0.0 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.8 Notes: nitrite still off the charts after water change. pH is good again though. resuming like normal. added 2ppm
Day 41 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 42 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 43 Nitrite = 5+
Day 44 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 45 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 46 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.8 Notes: added 2ppm
Day 47 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.6 Notes: added 2ppm
Day 48 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.4
Day 49 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.4 Notes: added 2ppm
Day 50 Nitrite = 5+ ph = 7.4
Day 51 Nitrite = 5+ ph = 7.4 Notes: added 2ppm
Day 52 Nitrite = 5+
Day 53 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 54 Nitrite = 5+ pH = 7.3
Day 55 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 56 Nitrite = 5+
Day 57 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: added 2ppm
Day 58 Nitrite = 5+

Day 59
Nitrite = 5+
Nitrate = 15
pH = 7.3
Notes: Did a 90% water change

Day 60
Nitrite = 5+
pH = 7.8
Notes: Oh joy, even a 90% water change failed to make a difference. Added 3ppm

Day 61 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: Added 2ppm
Day 62 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: Added 2ppm
Day 63 Nitrite = 5+ Notes: Added 2ppm

Day 64
Nitrite = 5
Notes: It could be higher, but the hue is VERY close to matching the 5 on the chart. Added 2ppm

Day 65
Notes: Missed testing today. Christmas parties and such...

Day 66
Nitrite = 1
Notes: The drops slowly turned a slight purple - that was the first real sign that something was changing. The result seems to be confirmed in the thread: my nitrite is all the way down to 1.

Day 67
Nitrite = 0.5
pH = 7.8
Notes: So close to having nitrite hit bottom for the first time! I missed ammonia dosing for two days now. Hopefully I'm not just seeing nitrite fall because ammonia is not being processed. Still, it's another good sign! Added 3ppm

Day 68
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrite = 0.5
Notes: Added 3ppm

Day 69 12hr
Ammonia = 1.0
Nitrite = 0.5
Notes: missed 24hr and dose

Day 70 12hr
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrite = 0.0
Notes: woot! Now I just need to get ammonia processing 5ppm again
Day 70 24hr
Ammonia = 0.0
Notes: added 5ml (or what i thought was 5ppm)

Day 71 12hr
Ammonia = 8+
Notes: i obviously screwed up the ammonia dosage amount again. i forgot at the beginning i settled on a lower number of ml for 5ppm
Day 71 24hr
Ammonia = 8.0
Notes: it looks in between 8 and 4 now but if i had to pick one of the two it would be 8.

Day 72 24hr
Ammonia = 1.0
Notes: waiting to hit 0 again so i can be sure about proper dosage level again

Day 73
Ammonia = 0.25
Notes: added 3ml

Day 74
Notes: missed test and dose today

Day 75
Ammonia = 0.25
Notes: added 3ml

Day 76 12hr
Ammonia = 1.0
Day 76 24hr
Ammonia = 0.5
Nitrite = 0
pH = 7.8

Day 77 24hr
Ammonia = 0.0
Notes: added 3ml

Day 78 24hr
Ammonia = 0.0
Notes: added 3ml

Day 79 12hr
Ammonia = 1.0
Notes: added 3ml at 24hr

Day 80 No testing. Added 2-3ml
Day 81 No testing. Added 2-3ml
Day 82 No testing. Added 2-3ml
Day 83 No testing. Added 2-3ml

Day 84 12hr
Ammonia = 4.0
Notes: I've been sick and injured the past week, so haven't been testing. Managed to at least dose every night though. I don't think the ammonia was clearing each day so it built up a little. Ended up not dosing tonight as level was still high enough

Day 85
Ammonia = 0.5
Notes: Added about 1ml and retested, only went up to about 1.0, although I had retested an hour or two later.

Day 86
Ammonia = 0.0
Notes: Added 2.5ml

Day 87
Ammonia = 1.0
Notes: Added 2.5ml

Day 88-106 Ammonia = 1.0 Added ~3ml
Day 107 Ammonia = 0.25 Added ~3ml (finally, almost zero...)
Day 108-109 Ammonia = 0.25 Added ~3ml
Day 110 Missed testing and dosing
Day 111 Added ~2ml in the AM, PM: Ammonia = 0.5 Added 2.5ml
Day 112 Missed testing and dosing. I thought I was being way more consistent and then I miss two days (this and day 110)
Day 113 Ammonia = 0.0, Added 3ml
Day 114-116 Ammonia = 0.5, Added 2.5ml
Day 117 Ammonia = 0.25 Added 3ml
Day 118 Ammonia = 1.0 Added 2ml
Day 119 pH = 6.0! 90% water change, filter cleaning, missed dosing. pH after water change = 7.8
Day 120 Added 3ml late (at least a few hours later than normal time)
Day 121 Ammonia = 1.0, Added 2ml
Day 122 Ammonia = 1.0, pH = 7.8, Added 2ml
Day 123 Ammonia = 0.5 Added 2ml
Day 124-125 Ammonia = 0.25 Added 2.5ml
Day 126 Missed testing, Added 2.5ml about 3 hr late
Day 127 Ammonia = 0.0 Added 3ml
Day 128 Ammonia = 0.25 Added 3ml
Day 129 Ammonia = 0.25, pH = 7.6 Added 3ml
Day 130 Added 1tbs of baking soda, Ammonia = 0.0, pH = 7.8 (2hr after soda was added)
Day 131 12hr Ammonia = 3 24 hr Ammonia = 0, added more soda ph = 8.6, added 2.5ml
Day 132 Ammonia = 0.5 Added 2.5ml
Day 133 Ammonia = 0.25 Added 2.5ml
Day 134 60% water change (due to cleaning) No test or dose
Day 135 No test. Added 2.5ml
Day 136 Ammonia = 0.0 Added 2.5 ml
Day 137 Ammonia = 0.0, pH = 8.2, Nitrite = 5+, Added 2.5ml
Day 138-144 Ammonia = 0.0, Nitrite = 5+, Missed dosing
Day 145 Nitrite = 0.0 Added 2.5ml
Day 146 Ammonia = 0.0 , Nitrite = 1.0 Added 2.5ml
Day 147 Ammonia = 0.0, Nitrite = 0.0 Added 2.5ml
Day 148 Ammonia = 0.0, Nitrite = 1.0 Added 2.5ml
Day 149-154 Ammonia = 0.0, Nitrite = 1-3 Added 2.5ml
Day 155 Ammonia = 0.0, Nitrite = 1 Added 2.5ml

 

[MrPurplePickle]

I take out a cup of tank water and give the test tube a rinse out in that before doing the test.
I find that is enough to keep a drop or two of tap water left after cleaning from skewing results.

I'd get your ammonia up to 5.

 

[OldMan47]

My tap tests at between .5 and 1.0 ppm of ammonia after I dechlorinate it. Ammonia is a part of the chloramine that is put in as a chlorine treatment by your water company. When the dechlorinator breaks the chlorine free in order to neutralize it, you are left with a bit of ammonia in the water.

 

[JustFrozen]

I take out a cup of tank water and give the test tube a rinse out in that before doing the test.
I find that is enough to keep a drop or two of tap water left after cleaning from skewing results.

i thought of using tank water but i didnt want to contaminate the tank with the drops of solution left in the tube - for some reason it never occured to me that i could take the water out of the tank first and then do it, thanks!

I'd get your ammonia up to 5.

yeah best to get the cycle going huh? i wasnt going to unless i got a response but given your answer i tried to get it to 5

My tap tests at between .5 and 1.0 ppm of ammonia after I dechlorinate it. Ammonia is a part of the chloramine that is put in as a chlorine treatment by your water company. When the dechlorinator breaks the chlorine free in order to neutralize it, you are left with a bit of ammonia in the water.

ah, i guess it was the test strips i was using before. makes sense as its so hard to judge the results on them. thanks

 

[JustFrozen]

i'm assuming at this point its okay to just let the ammonia level drop to zero even though its quite obviously over 5. someone please correct me if i'm wrong.

i've also got a 5 gallon that i'm doing a fish-in cycle with a betta right now. the carbon filter cartridge is old and needs to be replaced. since i'm early on with that cycle and its not a big deal to do daily water changes, i'm considering getting a new cartridge, pulling the filter media (do i grab the browned fabric or the carbon or both?), dividing it half, and putting half in each tank, hopefully jump-starting the cycling process in this new tank. then again, like i said, i havent been cycling for too long yet, only a couple of weeks or so

 

[walt8880]

i thought of using tank water but i didnt want to contaminate the tank with the drops of solution left in the tube - for some reason it never occured to me that i could take the water out of the tank first and then do it, thanks!

The instructions with my test kit say to rinse with tank water before the test, so that's what I do. Then after the test, I rinse with tap water to get the test tube clean. But then again, what do I know???

 

[OldMan47]

If your ammonia is way up at 7 ppm, cut it down to less than 5 with a water change. By the time you get as high as 8, you are developing the wrong bacteria. At 5 ppm or below you get the right bacteria developing. Right now you are growing a mix.

 

[JustFrozen]

It's been about a week with no results, but last night I took the media from the filter in my 5 gal (was replacing that filter anyway) and placed it in the filter for this 25 gal. The 5 gal has only been cycling for 3 weeks, but it should still help jump-start this process.

I hope to at least see some nitrite soon

 

[waterdrop]

Is your ammonia not dropping at all yet? Sometimes we see some amount of drop in a week but often its two weeks before it slowly drops or even 3 weeks, and that's just to see ammonia drop, not necessarily to see any nitrite show up at all! Its likely that it all depends on the unknown of how many individual cells of the beneficial autotrophic bacteria happened to be in the tap water when you filled the tank.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JustFrozen]

Only noticeable drop in ammonia was from the water change. Maybe I should have left it at 1 or 2 ppm, considering after redosing 1mm to try to get it to 5, it might still be too much. The reason is I find the api test kit ammonia chart really hard to read.

I had no idea it could take multiple weeks just to see the first drop in ammonia. I guess I didn't read enough fishless cycle logs for reference. I fully expect it to drop soon, if not tonight, given the new media, unless I either messed up with that or the tank setup.

 

[waterdrop]

No, you don't really want it down at 1 or 2ppm, I'd go ahead with something that looks close to the 4ppm color on your API color card. The most ideal dosing I think is to be a bit on the high side, like 4 or 5ppm initially but then the drop it to about 3ppm as soon as you get the nitrite spike phase and keep it low, like 3ppm all during that phase and then ease it back up to 5ppm for the final phase where you're waiting for it to speed up and drop to double-zeros within 12 hours.

Now to put this is perspective, its no big deal whether its 2, 3, 4 or 5ppm during this first phase (1ppm is definately too low though) but I'm just saying that 4 to 5 is the more ideal that you should be shooting for, this all based on feelings from watching dozens and dozens of cases. And if it were to overshoot to 7 or even 8ppm for a day that's not a big deal either but you don't want it to sit for days at 8ppm or you really will get the wrong species.

The funny thing about it taking maybe a couple of weeks to drop from 5ppm to zero ppm at first is that once it does that, it usually gets very quick at doing it immediately after that. So the first time it drops to zero, then it might only take two days to drop to zero the second time you dose and from then on it may start doing it each day. Meanwhile, about that time you may start seeing it begin to show a few nitrites(NO2.)

Although mature media is the very best way to help a cycle and we greatly encourage it of course, its also good to realize that there's an element of chance to it and sometimes it just doesn't "take," so don't be discouraged if that happens, just realize that it may still help the overall speed of your cycle even if it doesn't produce the super speedup that it sometimes does.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JustFrozen]

Thanks waterdrop, you've been especially helpful, ever since i've joined, and I appreciate your wisdom

It looks like I'll have to keep waiting. If there's any difference in ammonia, it was too hard to tell

 

[waterdrop]

You're welcome! Is your tap pH up at 8 or does it just go there after conditioner? Its a pretty ideal pH for encouraging the bacteria, so that should help. Also, you can be thinking about your tap pH and letting it be a slight influence on your stocking plan. As long as hardness and pH stay fairly stable, fish can do pretty well even fairly far off their perferred ideal pH but still, if you do your homework and put some work into thinking about all the favorite parameters of each species you are considering, you can sometimes put the puzzle together in a way that's more ideal for them as well as being a look and personality that you want for your tank.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JustFrozen]

You're welcome! Is your tap pH up at 8 or does it just go there after conditioner? Its a pretty ideal pH for encouraging the bacteria, so that should help. Also, you can be thinking about your tap pH and letting it be a slight influence on your stocking plan. As long as hardness and pH stay fairly stable, fish can do pretty well even fairly far off their perferred ideal pH but still, if you do your homework and put some work into thinking about all the favorite parameters of each species you are considering, you can sometimes put the puzzle together in a way that's more ideal for them as well as being a look and personality that you want for your tank.

~~waterdrop~~

Yeah it starts out at 8. I've noticed it being a lot lower in my 5 gal though - I'm currently running a test to see what is dropping the pH so much in that tank (it's been about a week, I should have the results soon). I'm absolutely sure the pH for the tap (with or without condition) is a solid 8.

I started out trying to base the stocking plan on the water hardness I had, but I still had a lot to learn, including finding out about the different species in general. I got lost along the way, deciding I'd figure it out while my tank is being cycled. I suppose now isn't a horrible time considering I'm bored out of my mind waiting to see something happen. My overall goals are color and shoaling, although the entire stock doesn't need to be comprised of those. So far harlequin Rasboras and endlers are topping they list, as they each satisfy a goal and both seem to prefer water on the alkaline side. I wouldn't mind guppies either, they are colorful and seem to prefer hard water too. I've been concentrating my research on live bearers lately, but I think I need to read more or ask some questions, because I'm very worried about having to deal with fry.

 

[waterdrop]

Personally I now stay away from livebearers but this is because I know the complications and even more because I already had years and years of enjoying them when I was young so I kind of got it out of my system I guess. I still think they can be a wonderful experienced for everyone. They do add the complications of having your bioload increase in a way that's not under your control and they can push you into the "re-homing" thing which I've never liked much. Most important thing is to definately go into it with your eyes open, so to speak.

Rasbora Heteromorpha, topping your list, also top my list as both a fantastic and beautiful shoaling fish to have and also as a wonderful member of the first stocking after the fishless cycle is finished as they are among the most hardy, I feel. I also find there are many, many of the tetras with the minnow-shaped bodies that I really like... neons/cards of course (although you have to wait the 6 months, which is tough,) glowlights, head&taillights. If the tank space is big enough then rummys, scissors... there are just lots of great tetras as long as you are careful to comb out the nippy aggressive ones and watch out for mature sizing and minimal shoaling numbers.

~~waterdrop~~