Si's Fishless Cycle

[PDSimon]

Hmm, no one has told me not to put Bolivian rams in after a cycle nor have I ever read not to. They are relatively hardy for cichlids and don't seem to be bothered by new tank syndrome.

The whole 'mature' thing is because there are other unknown microscopic bacteria and algae (and other things, i have a bad memory..) in the water that take longer to develop. So the new tank syndrome that people speak of applies to cycling tanks too. Some tetras can be added, some can't...rummy nose for example are very sensitive. Sometimes fish just die and die when added to mature tank, but it seems to happen more in new/er tanks.

Like with the big african filter shrimp or bamboo shrimp, they require a tank of atleast 6 months old because by then microscopic plakton or something occurs...

Possibly an example of this is my brothers tank, he doesn't need to change the water much, has no plants and no algae... As tanks mature they develop what I imagine are other bacteria and other things we can't see (scientific term there )

 

[JoshuaA]

People keep advising what fish to put in to "start the cycle" even though I've stated we've been cycling by adding ammonia without fish in the tank. However every fish they suggest just aren't fish we want! I get quite irritated by shop owners now who suggest using suicide fish (words to that effect).

 

[PDSimon]

I know, it goes from one extreme to the other. I don't ask my LFS questions because i'd rather do my own research and get info from people who aren't trying to get your money.

Although I did say I was fishless cycling at the green machine place and they said you don't have to do it, that I could just add plants, which is true but I don't want to spend loads on T5 bulbs, c02 and expensive substrate.


I quite fancy trying the walstad method. Stick potting soil in the bottom, cover in gravel(or sand I guess). fill with plants, add fish straight away and you're done! Lights between 1 and 2 wpg and you're sorted... no ferts, no liquid carbon or anything, you just feed the fish "liberally". I think you have to keep an eye on it for 2 months, but from what i've read people do water changes every 6 months or something... oh and no filter... but obviously a heater for the fish

Thats going to my next project (next year i imagine..)

 

[JoshuaA]

I quite fancy trying the walstad method.

I think you need to get your standard fish-less cycle complete before you even begin to think about others! I however am beginning to believe getting 0,0 again on both our tanks isn't going to happen for a long time!

So your tank is 100L or 125? You had half a table spoon of Bicarb to get it from 6.6 to 7. something?

 

[PDSimon]

I said a project for next year Its more of a project than wanting fish, i'd probably just put shrimp in there.

Its a fluval roma 125, but in actual fact its 100L not 125... I better have fish in my tank this time next week is all I am saying!

Is your tank 60L? if your pH has dropped to 6.4, I'd say put in 3/4 of a tbsp

 

[JoshuaA]

I said a project for next year Its more of a project than wanting fish, i'd probably just put shrimp in there.

Its a fluval roma 125, but in actual fact its 100L not 125... I better have fish in my tank this time next week is all I am saying!

Is your tank 60L? if your pH has dropped to 6.4, I'd say put in 3/4 of a tbsp

Is this based on some calculations you have made or just a complete guesstimation? Really how come its only 125 rather than 100? I though the number corresponded to the amount of litres of water!

 

[PDSimon]

Apparently the '125' is calculated from its outside dimensions instead of its inside dimensions

I can't remember the calculation haha, It was just working it out like so...

1.5 tbsp = 6.6 -7.8 for 100l
so
.725 tbsp = 6.6 - 7.8 for 50l


If you want the exact amount just search for bicarbonate/bicarb, WD or oldman47's posts are gunna be the ones with it on

 

[JoshuaA]

Apparently the '125' is calculated from its outside dimensions instead of its inside dimensions

I can't remember the calculation haha, It was just working it out like so...

1.5 tbsp = 6.6 -7.8 for 100l
so
.725 tbsp = 6.6 - 7.8 for 50l


If you want the exact amount just search for bicarbonate/bicarb, WD or oldman47's posts are gunna be the ones with it on

Must be some f***ing thick glass! 1.5 tablespoons from 6.6 - 7.8 for 1001 litres?

 

[PDSimon]

yes! third time lucky?

i'd say to get yours up to 8 it would be 3/4-1 tbsp of bicarb.

Make sure its not baking soda, it should just be bicarbonate of soda...

 

[JoshuaA]

yes! third time lucky?

i'd say to get yours up to 8 it would be 3/4-1 tbsp of bicarb.

Make sure its not baking soda, it should just be bicarbonate of soda...

Just bought a tub of it from sainsburys for 83p. Going to redose the tank with ammonia soon anyway. The tank is about 13/14 hours before its all processed and it doesn't appear like this is going to change any time soon or int he near future. Did a water change anyway today to increase the pH.

 

[kaivalagi]

I got curious about the roma 125's actual internal dimensions for water and measured mine, here you go:

Internal Length: 78cm
Internal Depth: 33cm
Internal Height (From top of substrate to my water line): 42cm

Water Volume: 108 Litres or 29 USG


And then I thought I'd do my Seabray 60"x18"x24" now I know what space is taken from the top plates:

Internal Length: 149cm
Internal Depth: 53cm
Internal Height (From top of substrate to my water line): 46cm

Water Volume: 363 Litres or 96 USG

 

[JoshuaA]

I got curious about the roma 125's actual internal dimensions for water and measured mine, here you go:

Internal Length: 78cm
Internal Depth: 33cm
Internal Height (to safe water line): 42cm

Water Volume: 108 Litres or 29 USG

Wow.... 17 Litres of glass! Sounds heavy.

 

[kaivalagi]

I got curious about the roma 125's actual internal dimensions for water and measured mine, here you go:

Internal Length: 78cm
Internal Depth: 33cm
Internal Height (to safe water line): 42cm

Water Volume: 108 Litres or 29 USG

Wow.... 17 Litres of glass! Sounds heavy.

It's the amount of space lost vertically, either from substrate or where the water level is way below the top rim of the tank

Companies provide capacity as the volume of the tank as a whole, not the amount actually used in water for optimal use...

 

[JoshuaA]

Ah I didn't read the "To safe waterline" part.

I guess it also depends on what substrate you put in though unless you are purely calculating litres in term of accessible area. Was a good few litre or two in between the gravel when we did a 100% change.

Anyway have you got any experience of using Bi-Carb Kai?

 

[PDSimon]

Sounds about right, 108L...Cheers

Like the sig. Whats the fish with yellow fins? Never seen any with fins that yellow I know it has the names but I don't know which match