Cycling success!!!!

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Parkedout

Medium Fish
#21
Dec 6, 2012
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#21
There is a really good substrate I used- Caribsea (the torpedo beach), and these are brand new filters, my 10g tank had some illness recently so I thought I better just start fresh. I have to check my photo log on my home computer, but I am thinking today is day 8.

I also had the temperatures high in there (about 88 or 89) until yesterday when I lowered it back to 80 so when I add fish later they don't cook! LOL

Thats all I did really. I'm combing the profiles now looking for things I like to stock this one. I'm thinking a couple of gourami and some guppies to start. I would love some shrimp though- sometime in the future. Since this substrate is sandy I thought surely a few shrimp or even a frog (except I don't want to risk him jumping out) could tolerate it.
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#22
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#22
Sounds like a good line-up.

I remember having 2 small frogs in a 10gal years ago. I recall waking up to a frog covered in a fuzz-ball hopping across the carpeting at the other end of the house!! Definitely need a good fitting glass cover on the tank for those babies. I didn't have one!

Joel
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#23
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
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#23
I housed an octopus yrs ago (obviously marine tank) and had to put plastic wrap over every bit of the tank, duct taped on, and THEN the glass top, to keep her in! It was only for 3 wks quarantine for a friend, but she was a LOT of work. They can get out of a tank with just a tiny sized hole!
 

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Parkedout

Medium Fish
#27
Dec 6, 2012
69
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#27
image.jpg

Hoping that picture works. Is the nitrate supposed to get that high? Ammonia is low (adding more) nitrites are at the top of the chart. Nitrates seem to also be between 80 and 160ppm on this color card.
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#28
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#28
Yep, per the fishless cycling write-ups I've read, nitrites should spike off the chart high first, then nitrates should climb as the nitrites decrease.

The whole time though, you want to make sure you maintain ~2 PPM ammonia to feed the bugs. I'm reading zero ammonia based on your pic.

Joel
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#30
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#30
Sounds right. Now it's time to wait for the nitrites to come down and be able to regulate itself down when ammonia is added. All you should be left with is a bunch of nitrates.

I've heard once the BB is established and settled, you should be able to add ~2ppm ammonia and an hour or two later, the ammonia should be gone, nitrites = 0 and some parts of nitrates.

I must have the most sterile city water ever. I'm on day 10 and my parameters haven't changed. 5, 0, 0. :( *crazysmil*

Joel
 

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Parkedout

Medium Fish
#31
Dec 6, 2012
69
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#31
image.jpg
Hoping this is in the right thread this time. Here are the first live occupants of my new tank. A trimming of a java fern and another plant from my ten gallon. I think this tanks lighting will be better for them.
 

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Parkedout

Medium Fish
#33
Dec 6, 2012
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#33
It's Caribsea (torpedo beach ). It's my first sandy substrate... But it's supposed to be great for plants and I really want to be good at aquatic plants. :)

I also found some dwarf baby tear for my ten gallon tank, but I may have to move it to this one. It has a good bulb in it, and the ten gallon only has standard lighting. Or stock I guess.
 

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Parkedout

Medium Fish
#38
Dec 6, 2012
69
0
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#38
:( My nitrates crashed. Back down to 5ppm ( I think, whatever the second color box is on the color card)

I can't keep enough ammonia it it. Over night its getting back down to zero.

Last night before bed the readings were (after I added ammonia for the night)

5ppm ammonia, maxed out nitrites, and 40ppm nitrates.

This morning- 0 ammonia, maxed out nitrites and 5ppm nitrates.

Disappointing. Should I put four capfuls in at night instead of two? I am stumped.
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#39
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
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#39
Unless you did a massive water change, I don't see how your nitrates would change that much. I would retest. It's possible the reading now is right, and the prior one was wrong. Are you using a liquid test kit? If so, re-read the nitrate test instructions and shake the CRAP outa the bottles before using them.

Parkedout said:
I can't keep enough ammonia it it. Over night its getting back down to zero.
Click to expand...
Your 5ppm ammonia is being converted to nitrite overnight. That is a great sign and is your goal. Think of the ammonia as the 'food' for the bacteria. The fact that overnight, all the 'food' is being eaten and turned into nitrite, that's what is supposed to happen. Now, you just need more of the bacteria that consumes the new 'food' of nitrite and converts it to nitrate. The nitrites will soon start to drop and nitrates only will be climbing. You'll soon be there!

Parkedout said:
Disappointing. Should I put four capfuls in at night instead of two? I am stumped.
Click to expand...
I would keep with the amount you've been using. Nothing to be disappointed about, you are right on track!
 

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