cycling a new 55 gallon.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
You're right - the only way to get rid of nitrate is a water change. The only reason I'm testing for them is becuase I'm impatient and want to know exactly where I am in the cycling process (since nitrate levels will rise before nitrite levels get low enough to be detectable on the card again). Hell, I've even resorted to diluting my nitrite samples to try to get a reading (~50ppm if you're interested :P).

I wonder if I can find a dodgy doctor to put me in an induced coma so I can just wake up when the tank's done...
 
I hear ya, I really really want to get my fish into this tank, so I can start doing something with the temporary tank he is in now. Originally he was only supposed to be in there for a month while my downstairs was being remodeled. Its been over 4 months now. He really needs some swimming room.
 
OK, if you want to do a fishless cycle, you might as well do it correctly...

First off ,
De-clorinate the tank water with your choice of de-chlorinator.

Then, you'll need to raise the temp to 82-88f,
Benificial Bacteria that you are trying to grow, proliferates at temps in the mid 80's

Add five (5) drops of pure ammonia, per ten (10) gallons of water.

Do this daily, until the NitrItes are measurable...

Once you get a NitrIte reading,
you then decrease the daily ammonia drops to
three (3) drops per ten (10) gallons of water.

Continue this daily until you get a
Zero (0) Ammonia and a Zero (0) NitrIte reading.

At this time measure for NitrAte, you will have a 20-40ppm reading.

Now,
discontinue the Ammonia drops, and
do a 25-30% water change,
adjust the temperature and

Add fish...

**********************************

Just to clarify the "STABILITY" product use...
You de-chlorinate the water
Add the fish
add the stability daily for 7 days...
done.

go about weekly w/c as usual....

NO other products needed do anything to the ammonia etc...

under 7 bucks to get more than enough to do a 55g
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12021
 
yeah....Ive done exactly what you just described....except since i wasnt sure I had pure ammonia (and not diluted ammonia) I added ammonia till I got 5ppm. once i got nitrates I add ammonia till i get 3 ppm. tank can now get rid of 3ppm in less then 12 hours.
 
mfgl;3381885; said:
yeah....Ive done exactly what you just described....except since i wasnt sure I had pure ammonia (and not diluted ammonia) I added ammonia till I got 5ppm. once i got nitrates I add ammonia till i get 3 ppm. tank can now get rid of 3ppm in less then 12 hours.
Click to expand...
Yup then you are good to go...Add that P and take some pix...:headbang2
 
So everytime I check my tank now there is no ammonia. I put in 3ppm more last night before i went to bed, on top of the 3 ppm I put in that morning. when i woke up ammonia 0....do I just need to add 3ppm once per day...or keep adding thru the day to try to keep it at 3 ppm? will the BB start to die off if its at 0 for 12 hours or so before i put more in?
 
mfgl;3385413; said:
So everytime I check my tank now there is no ammonia. I put in 3ppm more last night before i went to bed, on top of the 3 ppm I put in that morning. when i woke up ammonia 0....do I just need to add 3ppm once per day...or keep adding thru the day to try to keep it at 3 ppm? will the BB start to die off if its at 0 for 12 hours or so before i put more in?
Click to expand...
just do the daily drops per gallon technique. if you have measurable NitrItes add 3 drops per 10 gallons DAILY at the same time everyday...

It's really simple, you are overthinking this thing, just follow the guide, and you'll be fine...
 
day 13....nitrites may have dropped a little yesterday, seemed a little lighter to me. I could just be wishfull thinking though. @#$@% snails and planaria are taking over......I shoulda just spent the money and cycled the tank with instant cycle and only transfered my fish....I really really hate the snails...and the worms freak out my guests.....and me when my arm has been in the tank for any amount of time goind maintenance. They must be living off the plants....or the dead snails I smash.....discouraged:(
 
I've got planaria too :(

From what I've read, they're only present becuase of the high ammonia levels while cycling. Once you're done cycling, they should go away.

I'm far enough through the cycle that the ammonia-oxidizers are consuming their daily dose of 2ppm of ammonia in a few hours, so the planaria is starving for most of the day. I've already seen a reduction in their numbers :)

One quick tip: If you have the API nitrite test, just add 1 drop of the nitrite test solution to your water sample. If it turns purple within a few seconds of hitting the bottom of the test tube, the reading is going to be off the card so it's not worth adding the other 4 drops.
 
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