Fishless Cycling

[krabbo008]

A few things.

Your nitrites must be coming down if you have nitrates, since the former is the source of the latter. If you are reading at various times in the day, it will be going down.

Also, moving media and changing tanks will lose some unknown amount of BB. Some amount resides in the tank itself, while moving media will cause some BB to be dislodged from friction.

Full cycling is 4-8 weeks, but the tank change may kick that out a little. You're close, just not quite there. but be sure to take your nitrite readings 4+ hours or so after you add the ammonia.

Also what is your pH? Low pH (below 6.5) can make the process go longer.

ph 7.4. This is also a bare bottomed tank, (tiled) so I'm assuming that may be playing against me too?

 

[Drstrangelove]

pH is not a problem then. Being bare bottomed does reduce the amount of surface that BB is likely to use. Although I am skeptical that it's a major issue, I agree that it's working against you to some extent.

 

[krabbo008]

Well the tank is finally cycled. I've had my eye on some rays at my LFS for a long time now. My concern is I have some pretty lousy well water. High in iron for one. When I do a large water change it will turn the water cloudy for a few hours, and then over the next day my socks will become very orange/brown and look nasty. However, the next day the water is CRYSTAL clear and then I change the socks. The new socks stay nice and white until the next water change. Will this be a problem with rays? I've kept many fish with no obvious Ill effects.

 

[markstrimaran]

About using ammonia, would this ammonia, dripping, also gauge effectiveness of a media. Or enouph media.

 

[markstrimaran]

Fishless cycling...

It has come to my attention, that there several times that I have had to explain "Fishless Cycling".

Every new tank, with new filtration, has to be cycled to be safe for aquatic life. What is meant by "cycled"?
"Cycled" is a reference to the Nitrogen cycle. This is the bio filtration that happens in our filters.
In short,
"Ammonia" (toxic fish waste) is converted by bacteria into
"Nitrite" (toxic as well) then converted by a second type of bacteria into
"Nitrate"(basicaly harmless in low concentrations) that gasses off in the Aquarium.

This read is not for the advanced water chemist, this read is directed to
those fishkeepers that do not know what the nitrogen cycle is, and have had problems with keeping fish alive and well in their new tanks and with new filtration...

OK to start off there are a few things that you are going to have to have PERIOD...
1)Water test kit (Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate)
2)patience
3)Commitment to cycle the tank completely
4)Pure household Ammonia (clear w/no soaps or fragrance)
a)shake bottle- if there are bubbles - no good
if it looks like water - way good
5)Aquarium needing cycling with the water set to 85 degrees F.
6)Filtration, installed and working properly.

First thing, first...
Bacteria thrives in water over 80 degrees F.
Make sure to set the temp to 85 degrees F.

Next you need to know how much water you have. Use the conversion chart here http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/calc.php

Once you determine how much water you have in the system, de-chlorinated the water with a de-chlorinator that does not contain anything that says "eliminates ammonia etc." I use stresscoat and I know that works.

Now, you'll add 5 DROPS of Ammonia per 10 gallons, no more no less. Pick a time of day that you'll be able to take readings, everyday, for a couple of weeks.

Do this everyday until you see a measurable amount of Nitrites.
When you have a Nitrite reading, this means you have started the nitrogen cycle and are effectively growing the Beneficial Bacteria, that converts the Ammonia into Nitrite. We are half way there.

Now you will lower the amount of Ammonia to 3 drops per 10 gallons per day. You will do this until you get a reading of
0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrites. ZERO means ZERO, no matter how long it takes to get there. You are now building the Bacteria that converts the Nitrite into Nitrate.

Ok, so now we are adding 3 drops per 10 gallons of water daily.
We are getting a reading of Zero Ammonia / Zero Nitrite and we have a Nitrate reading of 20-40 ppm. You are almost there.

You need to do a 50% waterchange with de-chlorinated water and adjust your temperature. Now is the time to get your fish. Acclimate them and get them in your properly cycled tank...enjoy them as they will be enjoying your correct water parameters...

I hope this gets you on the right track right off...If you have any questions PM me, I'll be glad to help out...

The Op has been absent for 5 years.

So, I have an algea scrubber bio filter. which I would like to mimic a heavy stocked tank with. Perhaps using ammonia as a fishless trial.

 

[Hank82]

Fishless cycling...

It has come to my attention, that there several times that I have had to explain "Fishless Cycling".

Every new tank, with new filtration, has to be cycled to be safe for aquatic life. What is meant by "cycled"?
"Cycled" is a reference to the Nitrogen cycle. This is the bio filtration that happens in our filters.
In short,
"Ammonia" (toxic fish waste) is converted by bacteria into
"Nitrite" (toxic as well) then converted by a second type of bacteria into
"Nitrate"(basicaly harmless in low concentrations) that gasses off in the Aquarium.

This read is not for the advanced water chemist, this read is directed to
those fishkeepers that do not know what the nitrogen cycle is, and have had problems with keeping fish alive and well in their new tanks and with new filtration...

OK to start off there are a few things that you are going to have to have PERIOD...
1)Water test kit (Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate)
2)patience
3)Commitment to cycle the tank completely
4)Pure household Ammonia (clear w/no soaps or fragrance)
a)shake bottle- if there are bubbles - no good
if it looks like water - way good
5)Aquarium needing cycling with the water set to 85 degrees F.
6)Filtration, installed and working properly.

First thing, first...
Bacteria thrives in water over 80 degrees F.
Make sure to set the temp to 85 degrees F.

Next you need to know how much water you have. Use the conversion chart here http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/calc.php

Once you determine how much water you have in the system, de-chlorinated the water with a de-chlorinator that does not contain anything that says "eliminates ammonia etc." I use stresscoat and I know that works.

Now, you'll add 5 DROPS of Ammonia per 10 gallons, no more no less. Pick a time of day that you'll be able to take readings, everyday, for a couple of weeks.

Do this everyday until you see a measurable amount of Nitrites.
When you have a Nitrite reading, this means you have started the nitrogen cycle and are effectively growing the Beneficial Bacteria, that converts the Ammonia into Nitrite. We are half way there.

Now you will lower the amount of Ammonia to 3 drops per 10 gallons per day. You will do this until you get a reading of
0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrites. ZERO means ZERO, no matter how long it takes to get there. You are now building the Bacteria that converts the Nitrite into Nitrate.

Ok, so now we are adding 3 drops per 10 gallons of water daily.
We are getting a reading of Zero Ammonia / Zero Nitrite and we have a Nitrate reading of 20-40 ppm. You are almost there.

You need to do a 50% waterchange with de-chlorinated water and adjust your temperature. Now is the time to get your fish. Acclimate them and get them in your properly cycled tank...enjoy them as they will be enjoying your correct water parameters...

I hope this gets you on the right track right off...If you have any questions PM me, I'll be glad to help out...

So can someone tell me what kind of ammonia brand to get that works?

 

[duanes]

Any kind of ammonia will work, as long as its simple pure ammonia, "no" additives, like fragrance reducers or extra solvents, or stabilizers..
You can buy pure ammonia at most grocery or hardware stores(Home Depot, Lowes), just read the label, if ammonia is the only ingredient. its good.
I do take a slight issue with the OPs first statement, in truth it should read "Toxic Ammonia, Toxic Nitrite" and "less toxic Nitrate".
In all accurate aquarium literature this is how the statement reads, somewhere along the way, thru the years Less Toxic, has morphed into harmless, which far from accurate.

 

[Hank82]

Ok, I read that ammonia hydroxide does not work, but all I can find is that kind. (I read this from one of the links on the forum)
Can I use this kind?

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

Now, you'll add 5 DROPS of Ammonia per 10 gallons, no more no less. Pick a time of day that you'll be able to take readings, everyday, for a couple of weeks.

What ppm level does this accomplish per 10 gallons?

 

[Tj203]

Fishless cycling...

It has come to my attention, that there several times that I have had to explain "Fishless Cycling".

Every new tank, with new filtration, has to be cycled to be safe for aquatic life. What is meant by "cycled"?
"Cycled" is a reference to the Nitrogen cycle. This is the bio filtration that happens in our filters.
In short,
"Ammonia" (toxic fish waste) is converted by bacteria into
"Nitrite" (toxic as well) then converted by a second type of bacteria into
"Nitrate"(basicaly harmless in low concentrations) that gasses off in the Aquarium.

This read is not for the advanced water chemist, this read is directed to
those fishkeepers that do not know what the nitrogen cycle is, and have had problems with keeping fish alive and well in their new tanks and with new filtration...

OK to start off there are a few things that you are going to have to have PERIOD...
1)Water test kit (Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate)
2)patience
3)Commitment to cycle the tank completely
4)Pure household Ammonia (clear w/no soaps or fragrance)
a)shake bottle- if there are bubbles - no good
if it looks like water - way good
5)Aquarium needing cycling with the water set to 85 degrees F.
6)Filtration, installed and working properly.

First thing, first...
Bacteria thrives in water over 80 degrees F.
Make sure to set the temp to 85 degrees F.

Next you need to know how much water you have. Use the conversion chart here http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/calc.php

Once you determine how much water you have in the system, de-chlorinated the water with a de-chlorinator that does not contain anything that says "eliminates ammonia etc." I use stresscoat and I know that works.

Now, you'll add 5 DROPS of Ammonia per 10 gallons, no more no less. Pick a time of day that you'll be able to take readings, everyday, for a couple of weeks.

Do this everyday until you see a measurable amount of Nitrites.
When you have a Nitrite reading, this means you have started the nitrogen cycle and are effectively growing the Beneficial Bacteria, that converts the Ammonia into Nitrite. We are half way there.

Now you will lower the amount of Ammonia to 3 drops per 10 gallons per day. You will do this until you get a reading of
0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrites. ZERO means ZERO, no matter how long it takes to get there. You are now building the Bacteria that converts the Nitrite into Nitrate.

Ok, so now we are adding 3 drops per 10 gallons of water daily.
We are getting a reading of Zero Ammonia / Zero Nitrite and we have a Nitrate reading of 20-40 ppm. You are almost there.

You need to do a 50% waterchange with de-chlorinated water and adjust your temperature. Now is the time to get your fish. Acclimate them and get them in your properly cycled tank...enjoy them as they will be enjoying your correct water parameters...

I hope this gets you on the right track right off...If you have any questions PM me, I'll be glad to help out...

the link dont work