Fishless cycling quest

[iapetus]

I don't think I'd say that you have quite a ways to go. But, your tank does still have some progress to make. The bacteria in your tank should be able to metabolize the ammonia you put in and the nitrite that is produced within a day or so. Take a few more days' worth of data.

 

[captevo]

did you get yours on ebay? I saw one there for 106.00 and 108.00

I got mine for the 108.00

definately worth it!

I got it from petmountain.com It was on sale for 106, with 10% for valentine.
I top off $150 order and got free shipping.
It's back to $139 now, i think.

 

[captevo]

I don't think I'd say that you have quite a ways to go. But, your tank does still have some progress to make. The bacteria in your tank should be able to metabolize the ammonia you put in and the nitrite that is produced within a day or so. Take a few more days' worth of data.

Thanks, japetus.
Should I lower the ammonia dose? or keep it at 3ppm?
I got a hold of an old tank filter from a friend. dropped it in last night, I'll sit back and wait for a few more days.

What weird is nitrite is 0.

 

[captevo]

same reading as yesterday
Google Docs - Fishless Cycling
i put in the seachem ammo alert and it's safe <.25
so, i could have a bad ammo kit. ???
so, does it mean it's cycled?

Please help.

 

[iapetus]

Others may suggest differently, but I suggest that you drive up your ammonia levels again. Watch them drop. You want to make sure that your tank can metabolize the ammonia and the nitrite. And, yeah, I'd use both kits to test. I'd be concerned that that one test is still showing significant amounts of ammonia.

 

[Lone Wolff]

I'm not sure about anyone else's experience on cycling tanks, but to me it seems odd that your Nitrites would go from 0 to 4, then back to 0 in just five days.

The last time I cycled a tank, the Nitrites stayed at 5ppm for 3 weeks.

I don't know of any bacteria that would grow and function as quickly as your numbers indicate. What are your NitrAte levels?

 

[captevo]

My nitrate is ~20, tested using the 5-in-1 strip (API).
*ALL*

 

[captevo]

Now, I'm REALLY lost.
Ammonia is rising up slowly.
Google Docs - Fishless Cycling
Seems like ammonia eating bacteria is not doing their job.
I added an old filter from my friend's healthy fish tank a few days ago.
This suppose to help, right?
I also add pot scrubbies to the xp3.
I'm out of idea. I don't want to re-start again.
Please help.

 

[Lone Wolff]

Now, I'm REALLY lost.
Ammonia is rising up slowly.
Google Docs - Fishless Cycling

I added an old filter from my friend's healthy fish tank a few days ago.
This suppose to help, right?
.

That would definitely help. I'd just leave it for a week. Don't add any more ammonia or perform any water changes. Just monitor your levels to see if the ammonia goes gown without elevating the Nitrites.

 

[captevo]

Thanks, Lonewolf.
If I don't add ammonia, would the good bacteria die off?

Here's another thing.
I put the seachem Ammonia Alert (tested before I put in; it worked).
It's showing that ammonia is 0.

I might have a bad ammonia test kit (API)?

 

[marvin]

my lps guru said he could get a better reading by puting the water in his mouth than using strips... i cycled a tank once.... once is the key word... i would add every thing into the tank as if it had fish in it even food, rock, sand, etc. prime@ brand name for tap water conditioner,conditioning salt, and a ph regulatior. the next day a few fish.

 

[pwrmacG4]

I got it from petmountain.com It was on sale for 106, with 10% for valentine.
I top off $150 order and got free shipping.
It's back to $139 now, i think.

I had a coupon too and got free shipping..