Not A Noob But 1st Time Cycle

[doresy]

Those that know of me know I am a verteran of 4 years in fish keeping but had a shakey start. I understand the principle of cycling but this is my first go for real!

Tank.....28ltr AquaStart (for fry eventually)
Substrate....silver sand
Filter....AquaOne internal (similar to Fuval 1)
Filter content...small piece coarse foam (new) and 6 'noodles' (matured)
Method......Fishless cycle, ammonia added.

History...
Day 1) Clean tank, wash and add substrate. Fill with dechlorinated water.
Day 2) Switch on heater (set to 90*) and filter
Day 3) Add long airstone. Add pure ammonia. Water test for ammonia, level at 6ppm

Day 7) Today, Test for ammonia, level at 2ppm. Test for nitrite, level at 2ppm.

So far so good? Anything else I should be doing?

I am going to continue with this setup but later on was thinking of getting a small power head and making an overhead trickle filter on the basis of my Aquaone 850. Or maybe getting the smallest external filter from that German make begining with E (?) (I don't want to turn it into a washing machine )
Any ideas on that from anyone? (thanks in advance)

 

[GoldLenny]

Since you have other tanks, you could have seeded your filter with some "cycled" media from one of your other filters... or did you do this? You may already done this since you already have 2ppm nitrites after only 7 days and you mention "6 noodles (matured)" as part of your startup filtration media. In either case, that's a very fast start!

Or... I'm wondering if having other tanks and evaporation from those tanks in our homes increase the likelihood of the N-bacteria being in the air and seeding a "fishless cycled" tank much quicker than a home with no cycled tanks in it.

 

[doresy]

Since you have other tanks, you could have seeded your filter with some "cycled" media from one of your other filters... or did you do this? You may already done this since you already have 2ppm nitrites after only 7 days and you mention "6 noodles (matured)" as part of your startup filtration media. In either case, that's a very fast start!

Or... I'm wondering if having other tanks and evaporation from those tanks in our homes increase the likelihood of the N-bacteria being in the air and seeding a "fishless cycled" tank much quicker than a home with no cycled tanks in it.

Yes, you noticed 'matured' next to the noodles. The filter is so small and I don't have much room to play with so I cut the new little foam block in half and replaced it with some noodles from my established tank. I put the spare piece of foam in my main trickle filter to be replaced if needed at a later date.
I like the idea of airbourne bacteria transference but I find it highly unlikely.

I take it from your reply that things are better than ok.....maybe the higher than normal temp and the airstone along with the matured noodles have speeded things up nicely (all tips from these forums)

Will water test again tomorrow night

 

[martyn21uk]

If you're tight for space in the new filter you could of put some of your matured noodles in an old stocking and suspended it in your tank whilst cycling. I mean you seem to be on the right track but it was just a good tip I'd read on here before that seemed relevant to what you're doing.

 

[doresy]

If you're tight for space in the new filter you could of put some of your matured noodles in an old stocking and suspended it in your tank whilst cycling. I mean you seem to be on the right track but it was just a good tip I'd read on here before that seemed relevant to what you're doing.

Hi and thanks for your imput. That is a good tip but I cannot see how that will help me cycle my filter. (remember we try to cycle our filter not the tank) Unless I were to leave them in there like that for all time (as they would never fit in the filter) it would be pointless. Do see where you are coming from and thanks again

 

[martyn21uk]

If you're tight for space in the new filter you could of put some of your matured noodles in an old stocking and suspended it in your tank whilst cycling. I mean you seem to be on the right track but it was just a good tip I'd read on here before that seemed relevant to what you're doing.

Hi and thanks for your imput. That is a good tip but I cannot see how that will help me cycle my filter. (remember we try to cycle our filter not the tank) Unless I were to leave them in there like that for all time (as they would never fit in the filter) it would be pointless. Do see where you are coming from and thanks again

Yeah i get what you're saying but my understanding is that by being in the tank with water circulating they will populate into any new media that is suitable. I guess i'm saying that although the bacteria doesn't live in the water they can transport in it to populate a new home. I realise thats a really simple term explanation and I may be completely wrong. And if I'm right there will be a more technical explanation for it. Maybe somebody else will clarify!?!?!

 

[doresy]

If you're tight for space in the new filter you could of put some of your matured noodles in an old stocking and suspended it in your tank whilst cycling. I mean you seem to be on the right track but it was just a good tip I'd read on here before that seemed relevant to what you're doing.

Hi and thanks for your imput. That is a good tip but I cannot see how that will help me cycle my filter. (remember we try to cycle our filter not the tank) Unless I were to leave them in there like that for all time (as they would never fit in the filter) it would be pointless. Do see where you are coming from and thanks again

Yeah i get what you're saying but my understanding is that by being in the tank with water circulating they will populate into any new media that is suitable. I guess i'm saying that although the bacteria doesn't live in the water they can transport in it to populate a new home. I realise thats a really simple term explanation and I may be completely wrong. And if I'm right there will be a more technical explanation for it. Maybe somebody else will clarify!?!?!

Oh, I see your point now No you are not wrong. Normally, in a larger filter I guess I would put borrowed, matured media against new to 'clone' or squeeze some of the sludge into the new filter. Either way, your suggestion of hanging some mature media in a bag of some sort (maybe right by the filter intake) certainly bears credit. Apologies for politely saying that you were 'off track' when you were not

 

[GoldLenny]

I like the idea of airbourne bacteria transference but I find it highly unlikely.

I think that is where the bacteria initially come from when fishless cycling an un-seeded tank. It would seem likely that there are more of them in the air of a home with other aquariums than in a home with no other aquariums.

In your case, I would suspect the bulk of your N-bacteria came from your "cycled" noodles.