Cycling success!!!!

[Parkedout]

Yay!! I'm on day four of cycling my new 29 gal tank and my nitrites have finally spiked! I'm doing a fish less cycle so the temperature in the tank is a little higher than normal so we can work a little faster.

My 3 gallon betta tank is cycled, but I didn't do it- so this is really my first effort at it. I'm really excited and had to tell someone.

 

[Parkedout]

Looking forward to seeing nitrate levels in my water tests soon!

 

[OrangeCones]

How do you know the nitrite has spiked? What are your readings for ammonia and nitrite now at day 4?

 

[Parkedout]

After I added the ammonia on day one- the nitrite readings were in the first color box (I use the Freshwater API kit- but the card is at home, I am at work). So I tested ammonia every day to make sure I don't need to add more. Day three, the nitrites moved into the second color box. This morning, the ammonia is steady (still very high- no additions have been made) and the nitrites moved into the last color box (a very dark purple). Nitrates still at zero.

Like I said in my previous post I have never cycled a tank before. My other two tanks are done- but it was not on purpose. The fish handled it for me, I guess. So I am excited to see some progress on this tank where I am actually trying to do better before adding the fish to the tank.

Since yo uare here OC- when I do get appropriate nitrate readings (hopefully next week sometime! should I add a bunch of fish? Or do the gradual add in? I don't want to kill them. Thats why I am here.

 

[FishDad]

Always gradual, unless your dealing with african cichlids

 

[Parkedout]

Thanks very much, Fish Dad. We'll probably start out with a handful of guppies, then.

 

[OrangeCones]

How many fish to add depends on how much of the beneficial bacteria you've established (or how much plant mass you have, if doing a 'silent cycle' with plants).

If you can add ammonia to your tank to get to a 5ppm ammonia reading on your test kit, then show zero in 2 hours, you should be able to stock the tank completely. If it takes longer than 2 hours, your bacteria (or plants) will need more time to process the ammonia the fish will produce, so I'd recommend going slowly with stocking.

Its always better to go slower if you are not sure.

 

[Parkedout]

Thanks very much! I will keep an eye on the levels, and hopefully everything will go as planned!

 

[FreshyFresh]

I'm no expert, but 4 days and you're fully cycled?!? I'd be a little leery.

If it's true, you need to bottle and sell everything in that tank!

Joel

 

[Parkedout]

Yikes. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Had you read the thread you'd have seen I'm not even getting nitrate readings yet. It's more about becoming a success, not being an instant success. I thought I'd post the pictures this morning, but I think not. Thanks anyway. I will go back to just reading.

 

[FreshyFresh]

??? My intent wasn't to be belligerent.

I apologize.

All I was getting at is your cycle couldn't have been a success yet. Sheesh...

Joel

 

[Parkedout]

I'm wondering if jacking the temperature up to speed up the cycle was a mistake. My ammonia is dropping, but the nitrites are at the highest level of the card and the nitrates are around the 20ppm mark on the color card. I hope i don't have to start all over.

 

[OrangeCones]

It sounds like its working as it should, Parkedout. You will want to see ammonia drop to zero, then nitrites to zero, and nitrates growing.

Are you still adding ammonia to the tank?

 

[Parkedout]

No I haven't added anymore since the nitrates showed up.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I'm wondering if jacking the temperature up to speed up the cycle was a mistake. My ammonia is dropping, but the nitrites are at the highest level of the card and the nitrates are around the 20ppm mark on the color card. I hope i don't have to start all over.

From what I've read, mid to high 80degF range is ideal for establishing the beneficial bacteria. I know with my 29gal (and the current winter conditions), I can't get above 82 or so with the 100watt heater that came with my 29gal.

I believe it can take days or longer for the nitrites to start dropping off once they're pegged high.

I'd keep measuring the ammonia content to make sure you're feeding the bugs and watch for the nitrites to drop.

FWIW, I'm at day 8 on my fishless cycle and still show zero nitrites, although I'm having a hard time maintaining 5ppm ammonia as of late. I have to add ammonia the last few days.

Joel

 

[OrangeCones]

No I haven't added anymore since the nitrates showed up.

Your colony of beneifical bacteria must have a constant supply of food (ammonia) to survive. You should be able to ADD ammonia daily and test a few hours later to see zero ammonia, zero nitrite and growing nitrate readings once the tank has completed the nitrogen cycle.

Keep adding ammonia or the start of your cycle will die off.

 

[Parkedout]

From what I've read, mid to high 80degF range is ideal for establishing the beneficial bacteria. I know with my 29gal (and the current winter conditions), I can't get above 82 or so with the 100watt heater that came with my 29gal.

I believe it can take days or longer for the nitrites to start dropping off once they're pegged high.

I'd keep measuring the ammonia content to make sure you're feeding the bugs and watch for the nitrites to drop.

FWIW, I'm at day 8 on my fishless cycle and still show zero nitrites, although I'm having a hard time maintaining 5ppm ammonia as of late. I have to add ammonia the last few days.

Joel

I had mine set at about 89 this week. Today is day 6 I think?

Your colony of beneifical bacteria must have a constant supply of food (ammonia) to survive. You should be able to ADD ammonia daily and test a few hours later to see zero ammonia, zero nitrite and growing nitrate readings once the tank has completed the nitrogen cycle.

Keep adding ammonia or the start of your cycle will die off.

It was about 1ppm when I checked it this morning. I will add another capful when I get home and see what we get.

I cannot express how grateful I am for the help. Thanks!

 

[FreshyFresh]

It was about 1ppm when I checked it this morning. I will add another capful when I get home and see what we get.

Looks like it's moving along nicely if the ammonia is getting consumed like that. Good work!

 

[Parkedout]

Added a capful of ammonia last night- by this morning, I am back down to 1ppm. Added another capful today as well.

I'll do a full test when I get home- see where my nitrites and nitrates are.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Added a capful of ammonia last night- by this morning, I am back down to 1ppm. Added another capful today as well.

I'll do a full test when I get home- see where my nitrites and nitrates are.

Awesome. Man you are moving along!

How many days total since you started up the tank and began the fishless cycling?

Did you by chance use anything in the tank from an established tank?

I'm on day 9 and still staring at just 4-5ppm ammonia. Then again.. I haven't decided what I want to stock my 29 with yet anyway!

Joel