Liverbird's New Fishless Cycle

[PDSimon]

Waiting for nitrite to process in 12 hours...then I've gotta wait several days to ensure it cycles too

57 isn't all that long compared to some cycles though.

 

[Liverbird36]

Waiting for nitrite to process in 12 hours...then I've gotta wait several days to ensure it cycles too

57 isn't all that long compared to some cycles though.

Have just been reading through yours. Lots of pages !!! seems like you have been really close for a while. As frustrating as it must be for you, at least you know you are doing things the right way and you aren't making any fish suffer in any way. I guess i'd rather wait a month or two for that peace of mind. You aren't far off now.

 

[PDSimon]

Cheers

yeah sorry, lots of spam but pretty much every question anyone could ask is in there somewhere

 

[Liverbird36]

Cheers

yeah sorry, lots of spam but pretty much every question anyone could ask is in there somewhere

Gonna sit down with a cuppa and go through it all. Being on here has opened my eyes to the huge amount of mistakes I could of and very nearly did make. It's great to read up on other people's experiences. I'm gonna need a large coffee for yours though lol

 

[PDSimon]

If you're quick at analysing the junk from the important stuff it shouldn't take too long...

I'm thinking of putting all the information into one easy to read thread for people starting... I feel the fishless cycling section needs updating.

 

[Liverbird36]

If you're quick at analysing the junk from the important stuff it shouldn't take too long...

I'm thinking of putting all the information into one easy to read thread for people starting... I feel the fishless cycling section needs updating.

I'm pretty good at scanning thanks to lot's of Uni work a few years back. Was really informative and helped a lot. You've been lucky having so many experienced people on hand to help you along the way. Reading other people's threads makes you realise that the cycling part is not as easy and straight forward as the books suggest it is. Oh, and was great to read about the Bee project you were undertaking. I'm an avid wildlife fan and do voluntary work for the RSPB and my garden is in the process of being turned into a Bee paradise. It's really good to know there are others out there who are also working hard to make a difference. Good on you.

 

[PDSimon]

Glad it helped and thank you

 

[Liverbird36]

At last !!! looks like everything is now running as it should.

 

[Liverbird36]

ammonia levels had dropped to 0.25ppm so added 2ml of Ammonia which bought the levels up to 4.0ppm.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Just reading through your cycle again and was wondering why you never allow the ammonia to drop to 0ppm?

From my understanding once the A-bacs have processed/digested the ammonia they'll be far more efficient at getting through the ammonia you add to the tank and be able to produce quicker. But so far you haven't allowed this to happen. They have been constantly dealing with ammonia since day 1

J

 

[Liverbird36]

Just reading through your cycle again and was wondering why you never allow the ammonia to drop to 0ppm?

From my understanding once the A-bacs have processed/digested the ammonia they'll be far more efficient at getting through the ammonia you add to the tank and be able to produce quicker. But so far you haven't allowed this to happen. They have been constantly dealing with ammonia since day 1

J

The Ammonia has never dropped to zero before as it only started dropping a couple of days ago, plus, The Ammonia dropped to 0.25 and as I was away for the day, didn't see any problem in adding the Ammonia at that stage. The Ammonia has been dropping by 1.0ppm per day, As I was going to be away for the day and the level was 0.25ppm I felt it better to add it before I went away than allow the Ammonia to drop to zero and let all the ABacs die off before I get back and then set my cycle back. As far as i'm aware, it makes not much difference as 0.25ppm is such a tiny amount.
On day 8 I added a small amont of Ammonia because I had to do a large water change which removed most of the Ammonia from the tank. As you can see from my cycling, doing so has had absolutely no adverse effect whatsoever on the cycling as the tank hadn't even entered the first stage at that point. I am happy with the way things are going. Although, I am sure someone will advise me if what I have done is incorrect but I have had no adverse effects from it.

 

[PDSimon]

It doesn't make much difference, its just a perfection thing really letting it drop to 0 and I can't see how it can really make much difference at all.

 

[Liverbird36]

It doesn't make much difference, its just a perfection thing really letting it drop to 0 and I can't see how it can really make much difference at all.

Thanks si. The Ammonia started to drop a few days ago and is dropping by a whole 1.0ppm a day so was confident that not being around the following day and the result being 0.25 was worried that not dosing it with the levels it's dropping at would leave the Ammonia at zero and then kill some of the bacteria. Have just done some more tests and it has dropped again from this morning with Nitrites still rising. I have two lots of Biomedia in the flter so not sure if that is making a difference or not. Thanks for the reassurance though.

 

[Liverbird36]

Have just re-tested my Ammonia and Nitrites in case my early dosing has caused any problems and i'm a bit shocked. Since this mornings test results (as posted) my Ammonia has dropped by another 2.0ppm and Nitrites are up by 2.0ppm. Is it normal to be getting these results over the period of a day ??

 

[LondonguyJ]

The Ammonia has never dropped to zero before as it only started dropping a couple of days ago, plus, The Ammonia dropped to 0.25 and as I was away for the day, didn't see any problem in adding the Ammonia at that stage. The Ammonia has been dropping by 1.0ppm per day, As I was going to be away for the day and the level was 0.25ppm I felt it better to add it before I went away than allow the Ammonia to drop to zero and let all the ABacs die off before I get back and then set my cycle back. As far as i'm aware, it makes not much difference as 0.25ppm is such a tiny amount.
On day 8 I added a small amont of Ammonia because I had to do a large water change which removed most of the Ammonia from the tank. As you can see from my cycling, doing so has had absolutely no adverse effect whatsoever on the cycling as the tank hadn't even entered the first stage at that point. I am happy with the way things are going. Although, I am sure someone will advise me if what I have done is incorrect but I have had no adverse effects from it.

I was on an American forum when I first read about allowing the ammonia to drop to zero. From what I understand it'll help with the ammonia processing and I suggested it because your ammonia processing is quite slow at the moment. Don't worry about the a-bacs dying I also read a cycle where the guy did not dose for 3 days after reaching the stage where his ammonia was being processed within 12 hours

And after re dosing his A-Bacs still consumed the ammonia within 12 hours. So My theory is that A-bacs (like all bacteria) don't die easily lol

But I stress these are just theories I jotted down for a month before I started cycling. Obviously they are based on other add and wait cycles but again just theories. So take what you like and disregard the rest.

J