Fishless Cycling

cautella

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 21, 2010
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Brazil - Sao Paulo
On my 540L tank i use the fishless schema plus the StressZyme. I wait about two week, performed the Ammonia and Nitrite tests, and when they has been zero result, i start the population of fishes....
 

dskrpncs

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 17, 2010
102
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South Dakota
I decided to do a fishless cycle and then once I get things in check after a couple of weeks I will add my 6" Synodontis Eupterus which is currently in a 10 gallon tank with some 6 tetras and 4 goldfish.

Will I need to do anything else once I add the catfish or will he be enough to keep the tank going?
 

patagonia

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 30, 2010
7
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1
Ohio
I have a question.... On day 1 of the fishless cycle you add enough ammonia to reach 5ppm and then are supposed to add the same amount everyday until nitrite spikes(which could take about a week+). So, on day 2 you would have 10ppm, on day 3 15ppm...etc?Wouldn't that cause you ammonia to basically go up by 5ppm everyday until you see nitrites? Ex. I read that to much ammonia could cause the cycle process to slow down. Is that also true?

Thanks
 

zennzzo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 18, 2005
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Mile High in Northern AZ, baby!~
patagonia;4055789; said:
I have a question.... On day 1 of the fishless cycle you add enough ammonia to reach 5ppm and then are supposed to add the same amount everyday until nitrite spikes(which could take about a week+). So, on day 2 you would have 10ppm, on day 3 15ppm...etc?Wouldn't that cause you ammonia to basically go up by 5ppm everyday until you see nitrites? Ex. I read that to much ammonia could cause the cycle process to slow down. Is that also true?

Thanks
no
Make it simple and use the "drops per gallon, daily" method...
you are combining two different methods.
the other method I believe, says something like "maintain 5ppm"
 

Hasi

Go hard, or go home
MFK Member
May 30, 2005
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Australia
Very good write up zennzo

Another thing to add for those with already established tanks wishing to add another - simply add your new filter to the established tank and let it sit for a week.

Even with sumps, it is great to have an extra canister lying around - get it established by sitting on the established tank for a week, add to new tank and done!
 

asder112

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2007
113
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MA
zennzzo;4055867; said:
no
Make it simple and use the "drops per gallon, daily" method...
you are combining two different methods.
the other method I believe, says something like "maintain 5ppm"
isn't the amount of drops you're supposed to add dependent on the concentration of ammonia in your solution?
 

asder112

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2007
113
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MA
Hmmm .... I guess I will have to look harder for pure (100%??) ammonia. My only point was that you can find "ammonia" in concentrations ranging from 10-20%. You would have to add a lot mroe drops if what you were using was 10% instead of 20%.
 

zennzzo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 18, 2005
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Mile High in Northern AZ, baby!~
Just go to the grocery store and buy what they have on the shelf that doesn't foam up...
I suppose if you have a variety of strengths then test the water for 5PPM and adjust your drops accordingly...
 

asder112

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2007
113
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MA
zennzzo;4082272; said:
Just go to the grocery store and buy what they have on the shelf that doesn't foam up...
I suppose if you have a variety of strengths then test the water for 5PPM and adjust your drops accordingly...
lol - I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just pointing out that the drops per gallon rule can vary a lot. Good write up nonetheless.

edit: I suppose I am guilty of combining 2 methods here - your method and the mantain 5 ppm method
 
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