My Fishless Cycle Log

[Jabb3r]

Gonna do a log of my fishless cycle, but hopefully it'll be a bit diff. I'm gonna test my water every 12 hrs (now I've fixed my clock that is), but I'm gonna record my log in google docs so no need for post after post.

I'll post about the important stuff mebe but most will be covered in the spreadsheet. Check back for the latest updates.

My_Fishless_Cycle

Useful info:
Aquarium: Aqua One AR620 90L Unmodified
Test Kit Used: API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Ammonia Used: Boots Household Ammonia 9.5% w/w Linky

Media: 1st Compartment
From Top - 1 x Carbon Cartridge with Filter Wool + 1 x Sponge Pad + Ceramic Noodles
Media: 2nd Compartment
From Top - 1 x Carbon Cartridge with Filter Wool + 1 x Sponge Pad + 1 netted bag of activated carbon + Ceramic Noodles

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I like the google doc (or any cloud-computing shared file method) log. And any time a first post method is used instead of stringing it down the posts it does make it easier on the commentators.

I suggest you make tank temperature an actual column rather than a beginning comment as we sometimes have people who forget to plug heaters back in after tank work and don't realize they've lost the heating that the bacteria like. I also suggest you tweek that temp on up to 29C/84F (although I realized it can be really difficult to coax those knobs to only move a single degree sometimes.)

I'll also make a plea that you add a column for "Day X" (you can leave your real date/time there if you want.) When people use real date/time entries they are forcing the commentators to dwell on their post and do a bunch of mental calculations - now there's nothing particularly difficult about doing this but it adds a little time and a commentator might have 20 or so fishless cycles they are reviewing. The OP (you, the fishless cycler) is very interested in each line of personal data, but the other members/reviewers are less so and are more interested getting to the diagnosis/help. Some of the key data we're looking for is "Day X" and "24hour" or "12hour" test (that's it, more detail makes it -less- helpful, does that make sense?) 90% of what we do is calm the agitation of people doing a 70 day fishless cycle who are freaked out that thier tank has not cycled on day 7.

Couple of other things are to share with the members exactly which media types you are using and how you've stacked them up in the filter and whether you know the general hardenss attributes in your town etc. Also be sure to rinse your test tubes well and follow all intructions in the test kit.

~~waterdrop~~
Welcome to logging

 

[Aqua Tom]

oooo, I like that google spreadsheet.

I wish I had known about it when I started my cycle.

Anyhoo, good luck & be patient.

 

[Jabb3r]

Ok water appreciate the input. Will try to implement yu suggested changes best I can. I aint a super whizz with those spreadsheets or anythin just thought for anyone interested it'd make for easier readin.

 

[Skins]

Just had a look at your spreadsheet and noticed your temperature is at 24c, you want to be looking to get your temp up and around 29c.
When i put my temp up things started to happen, hopefully this will be the case for you.

Skins.

 

[Jabb3r]

Cheers m8. The temp is what it was @ the time of testin. The 90% water change lowered the temp and waters been warming up since, gonna adjust it a lil higher so it's 28.5c - 29c later when I do the next test.

 

[Skins]

Cheers m8. The temp is what it was @ the time of testin. The 90% water change lowered the temp and waters been warming up since, gonna adjust it a lil higher so it's 28.5c - 29c later when I do the next test.

I thought i would pass on some advice that was given to me.
When performing water changes try to refill the tank with the water temperature as close to 29c as possible this way there is less change in the bacterias envoirment. Getting into this routine is good practice for when you have fish and perform your weekly water changes.

Skins.

 

[Jabb3r]

Ok m8 thanks, will need to buy a second heater I think, planned on doin that anyway.

 

[Doc7]

I don't live in the UK, but I just mix hot and cold water from my tap to make it the right temp.

 

[Skins]

I don't live in the UK, but I just mix hot and cold water from my tap to make it the right temp.

+1
I have in the past boiled water in the kettle and pans on the cooker, now i just use hot water from the tap which is heated in a combi boiler.

 

[Jabb3r]

Ahh ok, tricks of the trade, hehe

 

[Aqua Tom]

Dont put hot water from the tap into your tank if you have the old fashioned water cylinder heating system.

Combi boilers are ok because they heat the water straight from the mains. Cylinder systems heat the water in a copper tank supplied from the hot water tank in your loft & that can have all sorts of nasties in it.

 

[Jabb3r]

Ahh ok, I think thats the system we do have tbh so will watch out for that cheers

Also I'm gonna have to be away from 17th - 19th so will miss 4 tests, I'm thinkin that might be around the time when things start to get interestin too. In the words of Homer J Simpson...

Doh!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Ahh ok, I think thats the system we do have tbh so will watch out for that cheers

Also I'm gonna have to be away from 17th - 19th so will miss 4 tests, I'm thinkin that might be around the time when things start to get interestin too. In the words of Homer J Simpson...

Doh!

Hve you got anyone you trust to come in a dose the tank? All you have to do is put the dose in a an eggcup & ask them to chuck it in your tank sometime.

 

[Jabb3r]

Might be able to get that done by g/f's m8, we fed her fish when she went away.

Interestin devopment on the cycle though. I just done an ammonia test and it looked a lighter green than I had been gettin, so I did a Nitrite test and thats come up with a more pinky purple than I can find on the chart. So I put 2 - 5 on table. Looks like tanks commin along