125g Cycling -- What happened?

IRoman · Sep 26, 2006

Sounds Good Lil Stinker,
I did another WC today and I got my nitrites down to less than .25 :headbang2

I was going to do daily water changes but I think I may hold off tomorrow, (not completly sure though). So far I have only been doing one a day.

I havent changed any media and I dont plan on it but one issue I may have is my drip tray on my sump. I dont have a filter pad on it..Should I get one

As far as my O's palling around :ROFL:

They wont leave each others side for more than a second or two. They seriously stay side by side, its pretty funny. I guess this means they are definetly buddies?

Lil_Stinker · Sep 27, 2006

IRoman;522322; said:
Sounds Good Lil Stinker,
I did another WC today and I got my nitrites down to less than .25 I was going to do daily water changes but I think I may hold off tomorrow, (not completly sure though). So far I have only been doing one a day.

I havent changed any media and I dont plan on it but one issue I may have is my drip tray on my sump. I dont have a filter pad on it..Should I get one

As far as my O's palling around They wont leave each others side for more than a second or two. They seriously stay side by side, its pretty funny. I guess this means they are definetly buddies?

You can add media, such as a filter pad, just dont remove anything as what little bacteria you have would be removed as well.

They may just be getting used to the new space. once they stake a claim they may (or may not) part ways.

Keep us posted

zennzzo · Sep 27, 2006

Lil_Stinker;522267; said:
you want the nitrates to come up, they will never do this will untill the BB forms to process the nitrites.

if you "over" change your water you will be fighting nitrites forever. you need to allow the filter to establish & start converting nitrites to nitrates.

Two different bacteria.....
Nitrosomonas = ammonia into nitrite.
Nitrobacter = nitrite into nitrate.

You need Nitrobacter to grow & for that you need nitrites.

Dont change any filter media untill the cycle completes. Watch feedings, remove un-eaten food, do water changes only to keep nitrites in check, safe but high safe.

You have nitroS now, the nitrites will start to come down naturaly as nitroB forms, then you will WC to keep the nitrates in check.

I am a fan of frequent lower volume WC, to keep levels more static, once the cycle completes. (many have & will debate this)

It sounds to me like the tap water you used previously hurt/killed your bacteria as a fishless cycle should have been complete a while ago...

... they have a relatively low bio-load so you should be fine as the cycle completes.