Si's Fishless Cycle

[PDSimon]

took the rock out.... pH had gone up itself in the tank more than the tapwater before the rock, so I did high range pH and it was 7.8.

Ammonia hasn't changed much if at all after 6 days. rock probably didn't help much - first mistake

Water change?

 

[waterdrop]

Nope, nowhere near water changing, you're just at the very beginning. You haven't done anything wrong. Often it just sits there doing nothing for a week, two weeks, maybe even three! Eventually one day the ammonia will drop and it will drop quite obviously. A bit of nitrite(NO2) can start appearing a little before that drop, right at the same time or after the drop has started. Keep the occasional eye on pH, just as you've been doing.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[PDSimon]

Nope, nowhere near water changing, you're just at the very beginning. You haven't done anything wrong. Often it just sits there doing nothing for a week, two weeks, maybe even three! Eventually one day the ammonia will drop and it will drop quite obviously. A bit of nitrite(NO2) can start appearing a little before that drop, right at the same time or after the drop has started. Keep the occasional eye on pH, just as you've been doing.

~~waterdrop~~

I was referring to the water change because my pH has gone up to 7.8... I've taken the rock out anyway

I guess you've seen the pH result and it's still fine so thanks


Theres a bit of a problem with the heater, it seems to have broken, going to make another thread about it.

 

[kaivalagi]

I think it's only if the pH drops too far that you'll have issues getting through a fish-less cycle, having it rise isn't the end of the world, but I am guessing keeping the system as stable as poss is best (i.e. no changes to the water chemistry from anything you do other than the ammonia dosing)

 

[PDSimon]

I think it's only if the pH drops too far that you'll have issues getting through a fish-less cycle, having it rise isn't the end of the world, but I am guessing keeping the system as stable as poss is best (i.e. no changes to the water chemistry from anything you do other than the ammonia dosing)

Yeah, i'm sure the growth phase is quickest through constant conditions...

Its taken out anyway now so all is ok

 

[kaivalagi]

I think it's only if the pH drops too far that you'll have issues getting through a fish-less cycle, having it rise isn't the end of the world, but I am guessing keeping the system as stable as poss is best (i.e. no changes to the water chemistry from anything you do other than the ammonia dosing)

Yeah, i'm sure the growth phase is quickest through constant conditions...

Its taken out anyway now so all is ok

Cool, I bet you were a bit apprehensive sticking your hands in lol

When are you likely to get more heat in the tank? A big drop in temp may set you back a bit??? WD?

 

[PDSimon]

I think it's only if the pH drops too far that you'll have issues getting through a fish-less cycle, having it rise isn't the end of the world, but I am guessing keeping the system as stable as poss is best (i.e. no changes to the water chemistry from anything you do other than the ammonia dosing)

Yeah, i'm sure the growth phase is quickest through constant conditions...

Its taken out anyway now so all is ok

Cool, I bet you were a bit apprehensive sticking your hands in lol

When are you likely to get more heat in the tank? A big drop in temp may set you back a bit??? WD?

I can try to get another heater tomorrow morning? might be later on tomorrow though...

I meant the rock haha, the heater is still in there! I didn't want to take it out just incase there was some unknown reason for not removing it yet

 

[PDSimon]

New heater, temp didn't go past 20 degrees although it felt quite cold.

Will test water later.

 

[kaivalagi]

New heater, temp didn't go past 20 degrees although it felt quite cold.

Will test water later.

Good stuff, not too bad then, I assume you're running the temp of the tank for the cycle at quite a high level though yes?

My shiny new tank arrived today

The link to the new journal in my sig....I'm some way off getting things done though, got a work trip next week so I daren't move the fish this weekend as I won't be around all next week if there is a need for water changes from any mini-cycle etc...and as this is the first time I am moving fish into a new tank I don't want to take any risks.

More waiting now - even though I have the tank sitting there

 

[PDSimon]

New heater, temp didn't go past 20 degrees although it felt quite cold.

Will test water later.

Good stuff, not too bad then, I assume you're running the temp of the tank for the cycle at quite a high level though yes?

My shiny new tank arrived today

The link to the new journal in my sig....I'm some way off getting things done though, got a work trip next week so I daren't move the fish this weekend as I won't be around all next week if there is a need for water changes from any mini-cycle etc...and as this is the first time I am moving fish into a new tank I don't want to take any risks.

More waiting now - even though I have the tank sitting there

The heaters set to 29 degrees C.

I will be sure to see your blog Typical that you have a work trip! Hope all goes well when you do get going though

 

[kaivalagi]

A heads up on peat slugs, you might be able to get a straight 6 pH if you want it...see here
Sounds like Apisto heaven to me....

I guess it's good I have to wait in some way, I get more thinking time before I commit to anything...I am currently pondering how to fix the lights to the hood (temp v's fixed)

TBH I am quite happy just looking at my empty tank right now, I'm so chuffed

 

[PDSimon]

A heads up on peat slugs, you might be able to get a straight 6 pH if you want it...see here
Sounds like Apisto heaven to me....

I guess it's good I have to wait in some way, I get more thinking time before I commit to anything...I am currently pondering how to fix the lights to the hood (temp v's fixed)

TBH I am quite happy just looking at my empty tank right now, I'm so chuffed

awesome I'm the same to be honest, i'm happy cycling at the moment, if there were fish in there i wouldn't have time to appreciate them cos uni is so busy currently!

cheers for the link

 

[kaivalagi]

A heads up on peat slugs, you might be able to get a straight 6 pH if you want it...see here
Sounds like Apisto heaven to me....

I guess it's good I have to wait in some way, I get more thinking time before I commit to anything...I am currently pondering how to fix the lights to the hood (temp v's fixed)

TBH I am quite happy just looking at my empty tank right now, I'm so chuffed

awesome I'm the same to be honest, i'm happy cycling at the moment, if there were fish in there i wouldn't have time to appreciate them cos uni is so busy currently!

cheers for the link

What are you studying? My uni days have been and gone unfortunately...

 

[PDSimon]

A heads up on peat slugs, you might be able to get a straight 6 pH if you want it...see here
Sounds like Apisto heaven to me....

I guess it's good I have to wait in some way, I get more thinking time before I commit to anything...I am currently pondering how to fix the lights to the hood (temp v's fixed)

TBH I am quite happy just looking at my empty tank right now, I'm so chuffed

awesome I'm the same to be honest, i'm happy cycling at the moment, if there were fish in there i wouldn't have time to appreciate them cos uni is so busy currently!

cheers for the link

What are you studying? My uni days have been and gone unfortunately...

Product design

Currently designing something to encourage bees in the average garden - random I know!

 

[kaivalagi]

What are you studying? My uni days have been and gone unfortunately...

Product design

Currently designing something to encourage bees in the average garden - random I know!

Ah, there's a market in bee keeping these days...the bee population NEEDS to be helped. I bet if you come up with a new efficient cheap to make bee hive design you could be on a winner

I did the engineering side myself, BEng in electronics and MSc in data-telecomms...hence my love of graphs and my OCD, not sure whether they came before or after the study though