Fishless, nitrates in 8 days.

[Enki]

After a little overdose of ammonia on the first day, this fishless cycle thing seems to be coming right along

I was adding 14 drops of 10% ammonium hydroxide daily starting 11/20. Cut back to 7 drops a day on 11/24 when nitrites started to show up. Yesterday's tests seemed to have a hint of nitrates. Today nitrates shot up to 40ppm and ammonia is down to lowest yet at .25 ppm!

GO GO bacteria!

At this rate I could be ready for fish this week! w00t!

 

[yhbae]

That is really quick! Did you seed the tank with bacteria from other tanks?

 

[Enki]

I seeded it with about a half cup of gravel from my very good, very clean LFS. I am also keeping the temp at 81, and I think that has helped.

Some people have said you shouldn't do water changes during the cycling, but since I had to anyway (from my ammonia spill first time 'feeding' the tank ) I have kept doing them, partly to practice and partly to 'condition' my bacteria. I figure if some bacteria are likely to die if I turn the filter off for 15-20 minutes, I don't want those weak bacteria anyway. The tough ones that can survive a water change will thrive on.

 

[Enki]

Sunday morning water tests show ammonia at 0ppm, nitrites steadily high and nitrates climbing.

Ammonia at 0ppm feels like a milestone. YAY!

Fish soon The lfs has a dozen ~1" Aul. Ngaras, a couple of the bigger guys showing a tiny bit of color along the top of the dorsal.

Do Aul. Ngaras in hand beat Aul. Baenschis not yet ordered?

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/a_baenschi.php

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/a_ngara.php

This is the lfs I have been talking to about ordering Baenschis anyway, I may just go down and put a deposit on those Ngara. I have been watching the little guys for weeks, and they are happy, healthy looking little fish.

BTW: There is one excellent lfs here in my area, I don't go to the other ones anymore, the sad looking fish bum me out

 

[Tigerlily]

Congratulations Enki! 0 ppm ammonia *is* a milestone... I am so glad to hear about your fishless cycling, and how well it's working. I hope it will inspire others to do the same!

 

[Enki]

Well, I did it. I went down and put a hold on the Ngaras. 9-12 of them, they are not easy to count

This pic sold me:

http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cfwebpoll/ngaralift6.jpg

 

[joewest_777]

Where did you get the ammonium hydroxide???

 

[dorson]

Yes,i know i was unable to find pure ammonia so i cut up a 4 to 5 inch long shrimp from my freezer and put that in the tank,it essentially cycled my 150 gallon in 15 days.It worked very well.
dorson

 

[Enki]

Ace hardware. The 'Janitorial strength formula' is 10% ammonium hydroxide solution.

Nitrites did not start to fall until I did a massive water change and re-inoculated with more LFS gravel. I think the extreme high levels of one chem after another really weakened the nitrite eaters.

So learn my lesson and be very conservative in adding ammonia. I would actually recommend the second inoculation in general as well, not that I have a lot of experience but it really kick-started the second phase nicely.

My fish should be here Sunday, and I can't wait.