Dr. Tim's Fishless Cycling

[Horace]

Originally Posted by Nerayan

Is this supposed to look like this? My ammonia has spiked , nitrates high and nitrates are low. What should I expect when cycle is complete. Should I expect algae at all??

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

All you need to really test for is Nitrite. Not really Nitrate. Once all Nitrite is gone, that means the cycle is complete. This implies that all that nitrite was converted to Nitrate. It may not be a bad idea (if you are doing the ammonia method), is to add additional ammonia and see if you get a bad nitrite spike again. If the tank is properly cycled the ammonia will be very quickly turned into nitrate. A properly cycled tank wont ever have nitrite detectable (unless a huge amount of ammonia is added)

The tricky thing is if you built up enough bacteria to handle your fish load, which is normally why they tell you to go slow adding fish. Let the tank build up its biomass along with your bioload.

Also, once the tank is cycled, don't wait around adding fish. If you do that bacteria will die from no added food....you have to keep the cycle going!

[Nerayan]

Wow made so simple. You guys know your stuff man. Thank you. Will test again tomorrow. Whoo hooo

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Troublekitty]

Originally Posted by Nerayan

Is that what is called Diatom bloom? Lol forgive my Okie knowledge peeps. Need to know what I am talking about because my 8 yr old is even more keen than I am.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Its hard to tell with the purple rock. You''ll start to notice it on the sand too. Just let it take over your tank. Its all part of the process.

[Nerayan]

Originally Posted by Troublekitty

Its hard to tell with the purple rock. You''ll start to notice it on the sand too. Just let it take over your tank. Its all part of the process.

Thank you. I may need to purchase a cooling fan. Tank temp is showing 81°F. Mini heatwave I've checked my heater and it's set to 78. Or should I lower it to 76 to offset the 2 degree difference

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Nerayan]

Hmmmm?? Seems off the charts if you ask me.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Fish Monger]

Originally Posted by Nerayan

Hmmmm?? Seems off the charts if you ask me.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Let your ammonia and nitrite hit 0, then add 2 ppm ammonia ( there are calculators out there for adding ammonia). Wait for ammonia to hit 0. If you can clear 2 ppm ammonia in 24 hours or less, you have a decent cycle going. Then I would reccomend doing a large water change, and adding fish

[Nerayan]

Originally Posted by Fish Monger

Let your ammonia and nitrite hit 0, then add 2 ppm ammonia ( there are calculators out there for adding ammonia). Wait for ammonia to hit 0. If you can clear 2 ppm ammonia in 24 hours or less, you have a decent cycle going. Then I would reccomend doing a large water change, and adding fish

I did a large one 3 days ago. But I shall do another today.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Fish Monger]

You shouldn't do water changes during cycle. Let me repeat that. Don't water change during cycle, UNLESS ammonia or nitrite goes over like 7 ppm, because that stalls the cycle. So once again. Don't do a water change unless ammo/nitrite is crazy high, or if the cycle is finished and you are going to add fish

[Nerayan]

Originally Posted by Fish Monger

You shouldn't do water changes during cycle. Let me repeat that. Don't water change during cycle, UNLESS ammonia or nitrite goes over like 7 ppm, because that stalls the cycle. So once again. Don't do a water change unless ammo/nitrite is crazy high, or if the cycle is finished and you are going to add fish

Ok. Good thing I read this was just about to head off to my local fish shop for some saltwater. #patience.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Nerayan]

Its been 5 days and my Ammonia is still 8ppm man. #patience

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Nerayan]

Ammonia
2ppm yesterday and now at 0.25ppm.

Nitrite
50ppm yesterday and is now 0 ppm.

Nitrates were 10 yesterday and now 20.

However, I haven't seen a Diatom bloom. (I did keep my lights on throughout the cycling process).

I'm I cycled? Don't want to add fish or Do a water change and it ends in disaster.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[bmrigs]

Originally Posted by Nerayan

Ammonia


However, I haven't seen a Diatom bloom. (I did keep my lights on throughout the cycling process).

I'm I cycled? Don't want to add fish or Do a water change and it ends in disaster.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Diatom bloom will come soon. So get ready to figure out a clean up crew.

[Nerayan]

Originally Posted by bmrigs

Diatom bloom will come soon. So get ready to figure out a clean up crew.

Another few weeks and I reckon I'll be ready for some clowns?

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Nerayan]

Originally Posted by bmrigs

Diatom bloom will come soon. So get ready to figure out a clean up crew.

Yup. You called it lol

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk