Menacer's Fishless Cycle Log

[menacer]

Day 1 - 23.02.11: Ammonia ppm 5
Day 2 - 24.02.11: Ammonia ppm 5
Day 3 - 25.02.11: Ammonia ppm 5
Day 4 - 26.02.11: Ammonia ppm 5
Day 5 - 27.02.11: Ammonia ppm 4.75 (a bit less green than the other test tubes)
Day 6 - 28.02.11: Ammonia ppm 4.75
Day 7 - 29.02.11: Ammonia ppm 4.75
Day 8 - 01.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.5
Day 9 - 02.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0
Day 10 - 03.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50 | pH 8.8 |
Day 11 - 04.03.11: No test was away
Day 12 - 05.03.11: No test was away
Day 13 - 06.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 14 - 07.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 15 - 08.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 16 - 09.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 17 - 10.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 18 - 11.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.10
Day 19 - 12.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 20 - 13.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 21 - 14.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppn 0.10
Day 22 - 15.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 23 - 16:03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 24 - 17.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 25 - 18.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25
Day 26 - 19.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50
Day 27 - 20.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25
Day 28 - 21.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25
Day 29 - 22.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25
Day 30 - 23.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25
Day 31 - 24.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.25

Day 32 - 25.03.11: Cleared tank down to gravel level, took out all ornaments and plants, refilled tank to top level, added 2ml Ammonia which should amount to around 4ppm.

CYCLE 2
Dosed to 4ppm (Ammonia)

Day 1 - 25.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 2 - 26.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 3 - 27.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 4 - 28.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 5 - 29.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 6 - 30.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 7 - 31.03.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0
Day 8 - 01.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5 | Nitrate ppm 80 | Ammonia dosed to 4ppm APRIL FOOLS REAL READING BELOW!
Day 8 - 01.04.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50 |
Day 9 - 02.04.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.50 |
Day 10 - 03.04.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 1.00 |
Day 11 - 04.04.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 1.00 |
Day 12 - 05.04.11: Ammonia ppm 4.0 | Nitrite ppm 2.00 |
Day 13 - 06.04.11: NO TEST WAS AWAY!
Day 14 - 07.04.11: Ammonia ppm 2.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 |
Day 15 - 08.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 10 | PH 7.6 |
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 16 - 09.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 5 | A SMALL SNAIL HAS APPEARED IN TANK
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 17 - 10.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 10
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 18 - 11.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 10
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 19 - 12.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 10
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 20 - 13.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 80
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 4 ppm
Day 21 - 14.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 80
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 22 - 15.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 23 - 16.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 24 - 17.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 25 - 18.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 26 - 19.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 5.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 27 - 20.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 2.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 28 - 21.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 29 - 22.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 2.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 30 - 23.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 31 - 24.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitrate ppm 160
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 32 - 25.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitrate ppm 20 <--- 8am / 8pm
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 33 - 26.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitarte ppm 40 <--- 8am / 8pm
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 34 - 27.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitarte ppm 40 <--- 8am / 8pm
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 35 - 28.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitarte ppm 80 <--- 8am / 8pm
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm
Day 36 - 29.04.11: Ammonia ppm 0.0 | Nitrite ppm 0.00 | Nitarte ppm 80 <--- 8am /
REDOSED AMMONIA TO 2 ppm

 

[menacer]

Taking for ever lol

 

[Paul70]

what is your water temp? the a-bacs seem to prefer 29c and a pH of around 8.0 but not much higher than 8.4.
also do you have adequate surface agitation to provide oxygenation? I have also been told that it is easier to cycle a larger tank than a smaller one. what size is yours mate?
good luck anyway.

 

[menacer]

Yes i have a air stone creating enough water agitation. PH is 7.8, Tank set to 29 degrees thanks for the reply oh also 48 litre so not very big.

 

[Paul70]

everything seems to be ok m8 so just give it time and things will happen eventually.
good luck
paul

 

[waterdrop]

What is is about these Interpet filters? (that's what you've got, right?) Over the years I just see so many of them slow out of the gate. Is anybody familiar with these? What media do they come with?

Menacer, it's really too early to tell if there's any problem with the filter or if we're just still in the first couple of weeks and there aren't enough A-Bacs (ammonia oxidizing bacteria (Nitrosomonas spp.)) yet -- that is probably all it is.

In addition to the correct dose of household ammonia (which I see you've done) you might want to add a small pinch of flake fishfood. This adds just a trace of complicating substances along with the ammonia and even if it doesn't really help, it can't hurt anything. Your temperature is what we recommend and your pH looks ok, so basically we should begin to see some evidence of those A-Bacs within the first 3 weeks at worst.

Good work for sticking with it - it will strengthen your knowledge in the hobby in the long run.

~~waterdrop~~
edit: spelling

 

[kporteo]

Stick at it, youve only been going at it a couple of weeks. You've got nitrites starting to form, so your ammonia is beginning to be processed.

K

 

[Falling Ash]

Is it the Interpet PF series?

 

[menacer]

Hi guys yes it came with my tank, it is the interpet PF 1

 

[menacer]

Thanks for the reply guys, i have added some flakes.

Also thanks for the encouragement really need it feels like forever. I have actually had my tank nearly two months now

 

[menacer]

Lets hope the filter starts to work! Same water test results today!

 

[Falling Ash]

I cycled with a PF 2 Filter, it took a long time to get going but suddenly the ammonia dropped one day and then things started picking up quickly. Hope the same happens for you, good luck!

 

[menacer]

Thanks Falling Ash

 

[Paul70]

hopefully the flakefood kick start will do the trick for you m8. god knows it must be frustrating for you after all this time but stick with it as it will be worth it in the end and the sense of achievement you will have will make up for all the worry and grief you have had so far. I guess i have been lucky to have my tank virtually cycled in 19 days. I think the addition of cirax media to my juwel filter housing has helped no end. If you don't have any ceramic media in there as yet then I would recommend it.

Again, good luck m8.

 

[menacer]

Thanks again, can i add that to a Interpet PF1 filter?