L_Plates - Fishless Cycle Log - Complete

[waterdrop]

 

[L_Plates]

Day 21, 23rd April 2011 - 18:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

Hmm im a little baffled here, nitrates dropped ? I did a double test tonight to see if i made a mistake but its right. I must have made a mistake on last nights test or is there another explanation ?

Cheers
LP

 

[waterdrop]

Never put too much stock into any given single nitrate(NO3) test during a cycle. I think the test gets less reliable at higher concentration levels and it's an unreliable test to begin with. It also can get pushed up sometimes if nitrite is high. It ends up just being kind of an additional plus as we get to the end of a fishless cycle that we look at in a general way. On the other hand, -after- the cycle is over and the fish tank is running normally, it gains in importance as it will be the thing that puts some judgement on our maintenance performace, our weekly substrate-clean-water-changes and our filter maintenance.

So, during cycling, pay more attention to the multiday trends of nitrite and ammonia and less to anything that happens to nitrate. I sort of think of it as throwing confetti on the party when it shoots way up at the very end, mostly just that.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[L_Plates]

Cheers i will continue as normal

 

[L_Plates]

Day 22, 24th April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

 

[L_Plates]

Day 23, 25th April 2011 - 16:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

 

[L_Plates]

Day 24, 26th April 2011 - 16:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

dum di dum

 

[BigbruiserAl]

How are the Nitrates only 5ppm on day 24 im on day 8 and im on 80ppm, did i miss something as did read the whole thread

 

[L_Plates]

No idea BBA they did peak on day 20 but then back down so i took it as a bad test. Im hoping everything is ok.

Day 20, 22nd April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 80 - 160ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm
Day 21, 23rd April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

 

[BigbruiserAl]

As i understand they only they can be removed is water change or in heavy planted they get absorbed?

I guess the only other way can be is the test was incorrect and gave wrong readings

 

[L_Plates]

No water changes, but i have 4 plants in there that was cropped from my other tank as they was getting to big.

 

[L_Plates]

Day 25, 27th April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Day 25, 27th April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

Phase two has to be frustrating! Could a water change help to reduce the nitrite so that the levels aren't ridiculously high?



I've read that plants shouldn't be added until the cycle is completed, as they can change things.

 

[L_Plates]

Not sure on the water change option at this time if people think it might help im happy to do one.

Plants can change things i believe hopefully this has not caused a stall.

Cheers
LP

 

[L_Plates]

Day 26, 28th April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 20ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm
Day 27, 29th April 2011 - 18:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 20ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm