David J
Fishaholic
Hi
I've started my fish less cycle and I'm now on day 5. I decided to post what I've done and observed so far and will continue to do so until the cycle is complete. You never know, it may help others and more experienced members might be able to give me some tips.
I have a new 90L tank with sand, bogwood and a couple of small Amethyst Crystal Rocks. I intend on adding more rock and will add live plants once the cycle is finished.
Before starting the cycle, using an API freshwater test kit I tested the water supply straight from the tap for ammonia and PH.
------------------------------
Results: Water supply
Ph: 7.6 - 7.8
Ammonia: 0.25
------------------------------
I then heated the tank to 27 degrees Celsius and got the filter running near the surface to get some surface agitation. I then decided to test the tank water which had been present for about 2 days in the tank while heating upto 27 degrees.
----------------------------------------
Results: Tank water (1st test)
Ph: 6.8
Ammonia: 0.25
----------------------------------------
So, my first observation here is that the PH is lower. In the tank water than the water straight from the tap. The only difference in conditions is the rock which I am assuming must've lowered the PH. What do you all think?
I have a bottle of pure ammonia and a bottle of nutrafin cycle which came with the tank. I know that the product cycle doesn't receive a lot of confidence amongst the more experienced keepers but I figured I would add it aswell as the ammonia, assuming it won't do any harm. Hopefully I'm correct in that assumption.
After doing the first tank water test, I have done the following:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26/12: tested: ammonia 0.25ppm. Added: 20ml of Cycle, 5ml of ammonia. Tested: Ammonia 2.0 ppm.
27/12: tested: Ammonia 1.0 Added: 20ml cycle & 15ml ammonia. Tested: Ammonia 8.0
28/12: tested: Ammonia 8.0 Added: 20ml cycle. Tested: Ammonia 8:0
29/12: tested: Ammonia 8.0 Added: none
30/12: tested: Ammonia 8:0, Nitrite 0.0. Added: none
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having now used the test kit several times, I believe that my interpretation of the colour chart was probably wrong on the first and second day because i am certain there is no way the ammonia dropped a point after the first day. Whilst I have noted the last few days of ammonia as 8.0, this is the highest reading on the colour chart. I accept it may be higher than 8.0. The test shows dark green very similar to the highest reading on the colour chart. Today, I decided to check for nitrite as I figured that if anything was happening, nitrite would be present but the ammonia reading may not be coming down because it might be off the chart.
Another observation is that there are hundreds/thousands of tiny particles circulating around the tank. I don't think it's sand as The sand was settled in the tank for a few days before doing anything and I remember what the sand floating around was like before it settled. I think it might be bacteria but don't know.
Does anyone have any feedback for me on the above? I am not expecting miracles and by no means expecting there to be any real change at such an early stage. I will continue to test daily and will post my results and any comments/observations as I go.
Many thanks,
David
I've started my fish less cycle and I'm now on day 5. I decided to post what I've done and observed so far and will continue to do so until the cycle is complete. You never know, it may help others and more experienced members might be able to give me some tips.
I have a new 90L tank with sand, bogwood and a couple of small Amethyst Crystal Rocks. I intend on adding more rock and will add live plants once the cycle is finished.
Before starting the cycle, using an API freshwater test kit I tested the water supply straight from the tap for ammonia and PH.
------------------------------
Results: Water supply
Ph: 7.6 - 7.8
Ammonia: 0.25
------------------------------
I then heated the tank to 27 degrees Celsius and got the filter running near the surface to get some surface agitation. I then decided to test the tank water which had been present for about 2 days in the tank while heating upto 27 degrees.
----------------------------------------
Results: Tank water (1st test)
Ph: 6.8
Ammonia: 0.25
----------------------------------------
So, my first observation here is that the PH is lower. In the tank water than the water straight from the tap. The only difference in conditions is the rock which I am assuming must've lowered the PH. What do you all think?
I have a bottle of pure ammonia and a bottle of nutrafin cycle which came with the tank. I know that the product cycle doesn't receive a lot of confidence amongst the more experienced keepers but I figured I would add it aswell as the ammonia, assuming it won't do any harm. Hopefully I'm correct in that assumption.
After doing the first tank water test, I have done the following:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26/12: tested: ammonia 0.25ppm. Added: 20ml of Cycle, 5ml of ammonia. Tested: Ammonia 2.0 ppm.
27/12: tested: Ammonia 1.0 Added: 20ml cycle & 15ml ammonia. Tested: Ammonia 8.0
28/12: tested: Ammonia 8.0 Added: 20ml cycle. Tested: Ammonia 8:0
29/12: tested: Ammonia 8.0 Added: none
30/12: tested: Ammonia 8:0, Nitrite 0.0. Added: none
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having now used the test kit several times, I believe that my interpretation of the colour chart was probably wrong on the first and second day because i am certain there is no way the ammonia dropped a point after the first day. Whilst I have noted the last few days of ammonia as 8.0, this is the highest reading on the colour chart. I accept it may be higher than 8.0. The test shows dark green very similar to the highest reading on the colour chart. Today, I decided to check for nitrite as I figured that if anything was happening, nitrite would be present but the ammonia reading may not be coming down because it might be off the chart.
Another observation is that there are hundreds/thousands of tiny particles circulating around the tank. I don't think it's sand as The sand was settled in the tank for a few days before doing anything and I remember what the sand floating around was like before it settled. I think it might be bacteria but don't know.
Does anyone have any feedback for me on the above? I am not expecting miracles and by no means expecting there to be any real change at such an early stage. I will continue to test daily and will post my results and any comments/observations as I go.
Many thanks,
David