Your almost there great job.
Thanks! First time I’ve done a cycle without taking shortcuts...so I want to make sure I’m going in the right direction haha.
Help with cycle
- Thread starter Dwl0222
- Start date
Thanks! First time I’ve done a cycle without taking shortcuts...so I want to make sure I’m going in the right direction haha.
Hello; The bb you are cultivating have a slower reproductive rate than many types of bacteria. Maybe 7 to 15 hours under decent conditions. I figure this is why it can take weeks for a substantial population to build up. One thing in your favor is you now are showing some nitrates. That should mean both types of bb are in play.
One thing you might check is the source water. Run an ammonia teat and a nitrate test on the tap water. Some have reported nitrates in the source water which can skew tank water results. Here's hoping your tap water is ok.
One thing you might check is the source water. Run an ammonia teat and a nitrate test on the tap water. Some have reported nitrates in the source water which can skew tank water results. Here's hoping your tap water is ok.
Aquarium cycling links
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/nitrogen_cycle.html
http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html
Hello; I keep these links saved and use the articles as a reference. Bit of a long read but lots of information.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/nitrogen_cycle.html
http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html
Hello; I keep these links saved and use the articles as a reference. Bit of a long read but lots of information.
Done. Here are the results from tap-
Ammonia- .50 (maybe a bit less?)
Nitrate- 0
Thanks I’ll definitely be going through these!
Some puzzling results today....last night I tested and got ammonia .5, nitrite .5. I did a half dose of ammonium to keep the ammonia around 1-2...now I test just now (noon eastern) and my results are as follows- 
The ammonia didn’t drop like it has been for days now. Did I lose my BB? I haven’t done anything other than testing the water
The ammonia didn’t drop like it has been for days now. Did I lose my BB? I haven’t done anything other than testing the water
Did you take out that piece of wood and sanitize it?
I should have mentioned this before, don't wash it off at this stage of the game.
Wood is a great place for beneficial bacteria to grow on, and you don't want to lose any new bacteria that have colonized the wood.
Also you should expect the tank(at some point within the cycle) to get a bacterial bloom, and turn cloudy, if so don't do anything, other than normal water changes, its no big deal. Filters don't catch the bacteria because they are so small, they pass right thru.
Don't fool with media, or wood, it will come to equilibrium on its own with time. Patience is the key, you are developing a mini ecosystem, and can't rush it.
I should have mentioned this before, don't wash it off at this stage of the game.
Wood is a great place for beneficial bacteria to grow on, and you don't want to lose any new bacteria that have colonized the wood.
Also you should expect the tank(at some point within the cycle) to get a bacterial bloom, and turn cloudy, if so don't do anything, other than normal water changes, its no big deal. Filters don't catch the bacteria because they are so small, they pass right thru.
Don't fool with media, or wood, it will come to equilibrium on its own with time. Patience is the key, you are developing a mini ecosystem, and can't rush it.
Nope, I literally haven’t done anything other than dosed ammonium and Quick start. Haven’t moved anything, taken anything out or cleaned anything. That’s why I’m so confused to get an ammonia spike (and have it stay there) at this point.
I also haven’t done any water changes...should I be? How much and how often? I usually add water right to the tank and dose prime for the entire tank as it’s filling...I didn’t wanna attempt that and mess with the cycle.
Hello; Fishless cycle process right? Seems I have read that until fish are actually added the WC is not needed. A WC will in effect dilute the ammonia you have been adding. That said you can do WC and then replace the ammonia to keep it up to needed levels.
You are just topping off the tank to keep it full, correct? Over a long time just topping off will allow some build up of mineral salts and other dissolved stuff in the water which stays behind during evaporation. For that perhaps when the cycle is firm do a big WC the day before getting any fish.
One other thing comes to mind and was mentioned in another thread just moments ago. I have also read this in other posts. That being the PRIME will give a false reading for ammonia when added to a tank. That you are dosing for the whole tank when you top off may be a clue.
Also if my recall is correct this is not a problem. I seem to recall that even when bound for a short time by the prime that the bb can still utilize the ammonia.
Sort of a guess here but you may be getting some extra ammonia reading with the prime and a top off in addition to the liquid ammonia you normally dose. Not clear if this can be too much ammonia in play but the only suggestion I have is to be patient and let things play out a bit longer.
Thanks for the help. Believe it or not, I haven’t even topped off at all...haven’t used prime since I filled the tank. I have glass tops that fit tightly so I think that has helped to keep the evaporation to a minimum. I’m gonna take another reading later tonight and see what changes, if anything.
