Flashheart Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 I could do with some help please. 2 weeks ago i bought a new tank. I am having a go at fishless cycling, because i heard it is more humane. I bought some 100 per cent ammonia, and added enough to the tank to keep levels up to around 3.0 for about on week. Today i tested for nitrite. This registered at about 3.3 so as i understand it the cycling has started. The ammonia has gone down to 0, and there is no nitrate registering at all. I am now a bit confused. Please can somebody tell me the next step. I currently have healthy fish and do not want to re home them if the tank is not safe. Is te bacteria in the bottle any good
Nutbrown Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Now the ammonia is down to 0 you need to top it back up to give the ammonia eating bacteria something to feed on. Otherwise they'll die. Right now the nitrite eating bacteria will be growing in number as they get through the nitrites that the ammonia bacteria made. Once the nitrite eating bacteria start growing in number, THAT is when you'll see nitrates. Once they're processing the whole 3ppm of ammonia into nitrates within 12-24 hours is when there will be enough bacteria to keep your fish safe. You need to be seeing 0,0 ammonia and nitrite after 12-24 hours before you put the fish in. Just make sure you keep topping the ammonia back up to 3ppm every time it hits 0 until it's ready for the fish. Otherwise those bacteria will starve. Where are your fish at the moment then?
Gluggy Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 If i'm reading it right the fish are still in the old tank? If so to continue with the fishless cycle you'll need to keep on adding ammonia until you get a nitrate reading as well as zero ammonia / nitrite - the conversion goes ammonia > nitrite > nitrate. The ammonia is simulating fish waste, if you don't add any more the cycle will stop as your effectively removing the "fish" from the tank and depriving the bacteria of their food source. On that note from what i gather the bacteria in a bottle products are rather hopeless, as you have a running tank already the fastest way to complete the cycle would be to take a squeezing from that filter of even better add some its filter media to the cycling tank, that and the ammonia being added should cycle it pretty quick. Once you have the correct readings its just a case of doing a large water change and your ready to go *edit* Ninja'd by Nutbrown lol
Alien52 Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Some people might consider it cruel not to let your fish go for a bike ride !
Nutbrown Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Some people might consider it cruel not to let your fish go for a bike ride ! Not as cruel as exposing them to poisons which are easily avoidable though...
0742Sheff Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/ Try that link Flash. That place is one of the best resources i know of
Shroob Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 A much simpler way (and a great way to make friends/contacts) is to ask if someone will lend you some mature filter media. Perhaps you can pay/give them some replacement media. A mature tank won't miss a handful of media. I'm not sure why this idea hasn't taken off before, I've thought of it for a while. A local fishkeeping club could have a 'new fishkeeper welcome reserve' so that the cycling process is less daunting, far easier and will hopefully keep more people interested in the hobby (how many people quit as they don't understand the process and fish die on them?). Sure, there's a slim risk of introducing disease, but it's a small risk compared to the benefits.
Flashheart Posted October 21, 2011 Author Posted October 21, 2011 Thanks for the advice. Dont worry my fish are still in te older tank. I also put some gravel from the old tank into the new tank, to boost te bacteria
0742Sheff Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 A much simpler way (and a great way to make friends/contacts) is to ask if someone will lend you some mature filter media. Perhaps you can pay/give them some replacement media. A mature tank won't miss a handful of media. I'm not sure why this idea hasn't taken off before, I've thought of it for a while. A local fishkeeping club could have a 'new fishkeeper welcome reserve' so that the cycling process is less daunting, far easier and will hopefully keep more people interested in the hobby (how many people quit as they don't understand the process and fish die on them?). Sure, there's a slim risk of introducing disease, but it's a small risk compared to the benefits. http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/150631-list-of-members-willing-to-donate-mature-filter-media-to-newbies/
terminator Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Some people might consider it cruel not to let your fish go for a bike ride !Never seen a fish cycle PICS ?
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.