Si's Fishless Cycle

[OldMan47]

You dose up to 5 ppm every 24 hours but test for your double zeros at 12 hours. If you get those double zeros reliably at 12 hours, you are ready for fish.

 

[PDSimon]

Thanks

 

[PDSimon]

So I've done my first 12 hour test. 5ppm of ammonia has passed through in 12 hours, weird? You wouldn't expect all those 3ppms over 24 hours to cycle 5ppm in 12! Pretty impressive bacteria

nitrites are somewhere between 2 and 5 I think. I suppose thats a good sign seeing that as they could be 13.5ppm.

 

[kaivalagi]

Looking good, a few more days at 5ppm and you should be there I think

 

[PDSimon]

Hope so. Although I need to order in the kuhlis and get my stocking sorted.

What if I can't get them for a few weeks or something?


p.s. i edited the post before this because I put ammonia had passed through in 24 hours when infact it passed through in 12

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, those nitrites(NO2) (at 12 hours after ammonia dosing) showing 2 to 5ppm will now be the focus of your final phase. You should be able to watch the nitrite level at 12 hours work its way down to zero ppm so you can start your qualifying week. Meanwhile the ammonia should continue to drop to zero ppm each day, by 12 hours after dosing. Occasionally the ammonia may not do this, but that's no problem. Sometimes near the very end the ammonia will actually not go to zero and stick at not being zero - we've seen this a number of times. By returning your dosing level to 5ppm in this third phase you have set the stage for having a biofilter that should easily handle a full stocking for your tank volume. As I believe we've discussed before, its my experience that as you rapidly dose 5ppm each day in the 3rd phase and it gets quickly processed you will find your nitrate(NO3) rising to high levels and it should not hurt anything to decide on some weekends to practice your weekly water change skill by doing a complete water change and recharge of ammonia.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[kaivalagi]

If you have to wait on fish then continue dosing 5ppm daily, it will keep the bacteria going until fish are added

It might be best to get all the fish you want (or 2/3rds anyway) in one go and add them all at the same time, although with multiple cichlid species you may want to introduce some after others (less aggressive) are settled

You need to start a new journal for your tank soon, no good continuing a journal on here, it needs to be in the right journals section for New World Cichlids

Do you have a definite final fish list?

 

[PDSimon]

If you have to wait on fish then continue dosing 5ppm daily, it will keep the bacteria going until fish are added

It might be best to get all the fish you want (or 2/3rds anyway) in one go and add them all at the same time, although with multiple cichlid species you may want to introduce some after others (less aggressive) are settled

You need to start a new journal for your tank soon, no good continuing a journal on here, it needs to be in the right journals section for New World Cichlids

Do you have a definite final fish list?

I shall start one on there soon... I'm going to try to stock it ~3/4 straight away if possible. I bet theres no bolivian rams left, or tetras anyway!

I'm thinking something like:

3 bolivian rams
8-10 rummy nose tetra
8 kuhlis
5 amano shrimp

Would that be too much? it might even overstock? I was going to get less kuhlis but other members have said theres are much more confident with a bigger number

I'm also worried about all of the fish really, not often do people stock all those in new tanks, especially the tetras. Quite a few members have said they're sensitive...need to add them after 6 months etc... but i need some sort of dither fish with the rams. Oh and that they die easily...

going to make a thread on my stocking...


Was also wondering about sexing the bolivian rams, its going to be a nightmare if the LFS can't do it ?

edit: on aqadvisor it says stocking level 84% and that I should add more filtration capacity haha

 

[kaivalagi]

Mmmmm, rummies shouldn't go in straight away, I'd hold back on those, then you're fine...also not sure about needing 8 loaches...4-5 should be adequate

There may well be a post of 2 on here about sexing Bolivians, read up before you go (either from here or other sites) then go to the LFS armed with a bit of knowledge!

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I agree, a bit of a balancing act at this point because you want to take the maximum advantage of your long weeks of fishless cycling and get as big a first stock as possible (its also about the only shot you get at not having to quarantine) but on the other hand you need to take account for all the individual species details having to do with introduction. WD

 

[PDSimon]

Thanks WD it is a bit of a risk but quarantine tanks just aren't convenient for starters I guess



It's just the thing with loaches are that they're nocturnal, but much more energetic if they're out in numbers.

Would the rams be ok without dither fish for a couple of months?

 

[kaivalagi]

People normally add dithers after they realise they need them (not ideal but that's what happens )...as you are going to be well planted I'd say they're not essential!

Just by adding a little frogbit to my tank I have noticed my fish are happier higher up now...I still want dithers for my tank longer term but I see no rush for me and you'll see even less of a need with lots of plants in there too I think

 

[PDSimon]

Yea, although the plants will be quite small to start off with

It's funny you read about the stories of people adding certain things..I saw a tank where someone added driftwood and all the fish were swimming around at the top suddenly

 

[PDSimon]

Fish are so cheap online... I didn't even think you could get fish online. Wouldn't they just die travelling so much

I want a tank with these guys in

My link

 

[Twinklecaz]

Stupid question but what exactly are dither fish?