Started my Fishless cycle

[Essjay]

It can take weeks for ammonia to drop and nitrite to show up. It took mine 28 days. But I used nothing to help kick start the cycle. And even Tetra Safe Start may not work if it's out of date or got too hot or cold between the factory and your tank.

Dechlorinators depend on what the water company uses to disinfect the water. If it's chlorine, look at API Tap Water Conditioner - they make 3 dechlorinators and searches usually flag up the others as well, but just that one. If they use chloramine, you need a dechlorinator which also temporarily detoxifies ammonia until the bacteria have had chance to 'eat' it. For chloramine, look at Seachem Prime or API Aqua Essentials.
Unlike many other dechlorinators these don't 'stimulate the slime coat'; many use aloe vera for this which can adversely affect the fish long term.

 

[powerdyne6]

I used Dr. Tims and followed his directions. It ended up taking me about 6 to 8 weeks before the tank was cycled

 

[Dermot40]

Latest update not looking good ……I think.
I added sponge filter and an separate air stone during this week, otherwise I have not done anything else. I last tested the Ammonia 3 days ago the reading was 4ppm. I have just tested the Ammonia and for some reason it has double now 8ppm, top of the scale with API test kit.
What should I do. Leave it or do part water change.
I have added approx 4 Tbsp of garden soil, might this have had a reaction?

 

[AlexT]

Latest update not looking good ……I think.
I added sponge filter and an separate air stone during this week, otherwise I have not done anything else. I last tested the Ammonia 3 days ago the reading was 4ppm. I have just tested the Ammonia and for some reason it has double now 8ppm, top of the scale with API test kit.
What should I do. Leave it or do part water change.
I have added approx 4 Tbsp of garden soil, might this have had a reaction?

Any nitrite? I am assuming no. You need mature media as I know you have been at this for over a month now with no progress. What fish are planning to keep? I was thinking to offer to send you some, but this was before I decided to set up a 2nd tank, so I haven't got any right now.
@Essjay he added some garden soil in the recent posts.

 

[Dermot40]

Just do the remaining test of tank.
Nitrite. 0
Nitrate. 0
PH. With High test liquid. 7.4
PH With normal test liquid. 6.0
Which test do I go with.
I intend to go with Cold water fancy goldfish.
Thats what I need a mature Media, just can’t get it anywhere. I would pay for delivery within UK

 

[Essjay]

Use the normal pH. The lowest the high range can read is 7.4 and it'll read that level no matter how low it actually is simply because it cannot read any lower than 7.4.
If the pH is 6.0 it's too low for the bacteria. They will multiply but very slowly. the method on here says

To get a tank cycled in a reasonable amount of time, you need to make sure that, in addition to ammonia, the bacteria will also have:
.......A good pH level by insuring it is above 6.5. The closer to 8.0 the faster the cycle will go. We do not recommend one alter their pH if it holds fairly steady anywhere between 6.8 - 8.5.


As you live in Scotland you probably have very soft water with low KH. and low KH allows pH to fall. You can either do a big water change to try and raise KH and pH, adding ammonia afterwards to get the level back to the pre-water change level; or use bicarbonate of soda. You may already have some in the kitchen, if not it's in the home baking aisle of the supermarket. Put a bit of tank water in a container and dissolve the bicarb in that then slowly pour it back into the tank. This for during cycling only, it will harm fish if used after cycling. The big water change at the end of the cycle (to get the water back to tap water chemistry) will remove the bicarb.
Once you have fish, if you do have very soft water you will need to choose soft water fish, and they will come to no harm if the pH lowers. But weekly 50% or more water changes once you have fish should top up the KH which will keep the pH reasonable





I'm not at sure the soil will do anything. The bacteria in the soil are terrestrial while we want to grow aquatic bacteria.

 

[Dermot40]

I have removed the pouches of garden soil I added to the tank last week. As this could be the reason for Ammonia doubling
My tap water reads 7.4.
I have baking powder i use for baking is that the same. Will a water change set my cycle back. Also I will need to add Prime as this is all I have to remove chlorine from tap water, I would rather add baking powder.

 

[AlexT]

I have removed the pouches of garden soil I added to the tank last week. As this could be the reason for Ammonia doubling
My tap water reads 7.4.
I have baking powder i use for baking is that the same. Will a water change set my cycle back. Also I will need to add Prime as this is all I have to remove chlorine from tap water, I would rather add baking powder.

Ammonia over 5 will set your cycle back much more than a water change. Its normal to do water changes in a fishless cycle if the ammonia gets above either 3, 4, or 5 depending on what guide you are following.

 

[Dermot40]

Ok I will do a 70 - 80% water change and add Prime with water change

 

[Essjay]

I have baking powder i use for baking is that the same

No it's not. Baking powder is bicarbonate of soda plus and an edible acid. When water is added they react together to make carbon dioxide which is what makes the bubbles in a cake. This is not what you want in a fish tank. It must be bicarbonate of soda.

 

[Essjay]

Re the soil, it may well have increased your ammonia. Certain brands of aquarium soil do this

 

[Essjay]

I missed a few things.

A water change won't set anything back because if you do have any bacteria they will be attached to the filter media. The only things which could set it back are not using a dechlorinator as chlorine in tap water will harm the developing bacteria colonies; and being rough with or changing the filter media as rough cleaning can dislodge the developing biofilm where the bacteria live, and changing the media is throwing away the developing colonies.


For bicarbonate of soda, use 1 x level 15 ml spoon per 100 litres. Allow it to mix in for half an hour then test pH. If it's still below 7, repeat with another 15 ml spoonful.

 

[Dermot40]

I am about to do a water change the only dechlorinator I have is Seacheme Prime is this okay to use.

 

[Essjay]

Yes, that's fine.

 

[Dermot40]

Just completed a 80% water change. When will do a Ammonia and PH test.
Thanks to everyone for helping me through my botched up cycle.
What Ammonia reading am I looking for when I next test ?
I know I am looking for a PH around 6.8 - 7.6 is that okay.