Rye's Fishless Cycle

[Ryefish]

Im in a bit of a rush today and need to do testing an hour and a bit before im supposed to as i wont be in at 6pm. hoping this hour isnt going to make too much of a difference...

PH: 8.0
Amm: 0
Ni: 0.25
Na: 160+


ive measured the ammonia dose out for my mum to pour in when she gets home just after 6

 

[waterdrop]

Always kills me that you guys are getting off work when we're about to have lunch...

 

[Ryefish]

haha i wasn't rushing off to work
I had to rush to get the bus into town. We went to see 'How To Train Your Dragon' which started at 6pm
Since this cycle has begun my social life begins after 6:30pm but i couldnt re-arrange the film, LOL! had to be home by 9pm because Greys Anatomy is on

 

[waterdrop]

Do they still keep dragons in northern england? I thought that had died out?

 

[Ryefish]

maybe not dragons, but depending where your from there are a few beasts wandering around

Day 23 -
PH: 7.8
Amm: 0
Ni: 0
Na: 160

12 hour testing begins tomorrow! Ammonia topped up again

 

[waterdrop]

 

[Ryefish]

I have had such a good day today
Hope my tank is going to be nice! lol
this mornings test:
Ammonia: 0, Ni's were between the 2ppm - 5ppm mark (thats quite a large jump, they need a between-y colour), not totally sure on that one. Didnt test Na's or PH.

This afternoon:
PH: 7.8, Amm: 0, Ni: 0, Na: 160+

 

[Dan-CR4]

i see your nitrite is down to 0. its such a good feeling when you see that nitrite hit 0, im in the same boat just waiting for it to hit 0 in 12 hours then start the qualifying week....congrats

 

[Ryefish]

yes! i was relieved to see it at 0 and not 0.25 lol.

it feels like its taken forever to get this far, LOL! i can't wait for my qualifying week, but its going to drag so bad!

Can we add plants in our qualifying week? or do we need to wait until after? I have got big plans!

 

[Dan-CR4]

I added plants over a week ago and they are doing ok, they have not caused my cycle any problems yet. but maybe someone with more knowledge will answer that for you, as i dont wish to be giving you any false info as im still learning as i go.

Danny

 

[Ryefish]

Ah, WD suggested on pg.3 that i wait until after the big water change. i forgot about that, i thought i just had to worry about the high ammonia and such (which isnt there anymore lol).

I am tempted to get the moss im after in my qualifying week... i dont think it will be too upset by everything going on...

 

[Ryefish]

Excited by this mornings readings!
Amm: 0, Nitrites.... 0.50!

My tank is crazy!

ETA: my bogwood has decided to release loads of tannins the past few days and it looks like somebody has pee'd in my tank I swear, it goes through phases of not releasing any and then releasing an absolute tonne. Having white walls behind the tank does not help!

 

[Ryefish]

Tonghts readings:

PH: 7.4 - going to have to do another dose of bi-carb in a few days *sigh*. I hope this is more stable once i have fish. Does adding Bi-carb change the hardness of the water or does the powder eventually evaporate out? I've noticed since adding the two seperate bi-carb doses that the light has become almost fogged up - it kind of wipes clean, and i keep it covered with clingfilm anyways to change it so its no big deal, just my curiosity again.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 80 - had to add a few litres to the tank to top it up so possibly diluted them a bit

excited for tomorrow mornings tests LOL!

 

[Ryefish]

I woke up to a PH of 6.8 today So I have been trying to rectify that all morning. i think i've managed to get it to 7.8.
I've read people mentioning Crushed Coral occasionally so i think i will have to research this and understand better what KH is, if my PH keeps dropping when i have fish (im hoping it doesnt ). I've found quite a few posts on here already so i need to have a massive read up. It just sucks that it seems to be quite an expensive thing to buy, lol!


Day 26 AM reading:
PH: 6.8
Amm: 0
Ni: 5
Na: 80


I've just recieved some amazing news so i have no hate for the fish tank today!

 

[Ryefish]

I've just been to the LFS. i was naughty and bought some moss. I asked for a bit and i have this massive handful, LOL! no idea what im going to do with it all.

I saw the Galaxy Rasboras... they are absolutely amazing. For a tiny fish they are SO expensive! £5.25 EACH! Im going to see if i can use my womanly charm to get a deal on four of them lol. They have some nice sized cherry shrimp aswell at 3 for £10 - perfect!

So hopefully, i can get all my livestock for £30 and then try get my hands on an apple snail too. Just need to wait for these #40## nitrites! I am NOT messing this up, not with very expensive, very tiny fish! lol