2 55's cycle log

[eco23]

Tested just now

Temp 81

PH did not test

Ammo 0.0 to 0.25

Nitrite 1.0 to 2.0ppm

Nitrate 10ppm

Nitrites are starting to drop ammo is dropping to 0 in a little over 24hrs

Awesome. This is the most important time to watch the pH.

If it cycles in the next couple days...instead of stocking it, I'd suggest donating media to the other tank. Once you add fish, you're not going to want to remove media for a while. Might as well kill two birds with one stone and use the first to cycle the second IMO.

 

[Jacca]

I added two plastic inserts from an old filter that no longer works to use for seeding that I can take out to put in the other tank to jump start it. I am gonna go out to the creek tomorrow and get some of those rocks to put into the other tank. I just tested the PH it is 8.3.

 

[eco23]

I added two plastic inserts from an old filter that no longer works to use for seeding that I can take out to put in the other tank to jump start it. I am gonna go out to the creek tomorrow and get some of those rocks to put into the other tank. I just tested the PH it is 8.3.

You mean they were added recently, right? Like new ones you put in with the intention of seeding the other tank? I'd personally go ahead and transfer some of the media that's been in there for a while. We might as well get it moving in the other tank

 

[Jacca]

They were put in there before I started cycling. I found them in all of my old aquarium stuff and stuck them in there because I figured if I ever set up another tank I could take them out use them instead of the filter inserts. So it wouldn't hurt to put them in the other tank now even though this one is not completely cycled?

 

[Jacca]

Here is a picture of the inserts to kinda help explain what they are

 

[eco23]

Oh, okay. They're like those little rubbery bio-filter cartridges that go in the HOB filters. I used to have something similar in my old EX70.

Seriously though, unless you're in a real hurry to get the tank stocked...I'd go ahead and transfer over a good portion from the tank that is cycling (not necessarily the cartridge thing...but any of the media that's been in there since day 1). It would obviously set the first one back a bit...but I'd personally prefer to get the other tank moving.

 

[Jacca]

Well just test the other tank and showing 2.0 to 3.0 ppm ammo and 5.0+ No2 so it seems like it is about a week or so behind the other tank.

 

[Jacca]

Just tested it's only been about 21 hours but figured I would go ahead test.
Tank 1
Ammo 0.25 ppm
Nitrite between 2.0 and 5.0
Nitrate 20 ppm
PH 7.6
High PH 7.8

Tank #2
PH. 7.6+
High PH 8.2
Ammo between 2.0 and 4.0
Nitrite darker than 5.0
Nitrate 20 ppm

 

[Jacca]

Dosed both tanks back to 4.0

 

[Jacca]

I am gonna be out of town all day tomorrow and tomorrow night will my cycle be fine without me dosing the ammo back up til Monday?

 

[eco23]

I am gonna be out of town all day tomorrow and tomorrow night will my cycle be fine without me dosing the ammo back up til Monday?

Yep, it'll be fine . Just dose it up before you go. It can go several days without ammonia before any damage is done.

 

[Jacca]

Ok thanks ............

 

[Jacca]

Tested today and added some new plants to tank #1


Tank 1
Temp 80
High PH 7.8
Ammo .25 dosed back up to 4.0
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 160 ppm+

Tank #2
temp 75
Ammo 1.0 dosed back up to 4.0
Nitrite 5.0+
nitrate 160ppm+

Added wisteria,anubas,dwarf hair grass, and an unknown plant the guy at the lfs threw in for free.

 

[Jacca]

The last one is the unknown plant

 

[Jacca]

Tested this morning have ???
Tank 1
PH 8.4
Ammo 0.0
No2 2.0
No3 20.0

Tank 2
PH 7.8
Ammo 0.0
No2 5.0
No3 160+

Dosed both back up to 4.0 ammo.

Should I do a pwc to kinda kick start things or just let it sit?

 

[brittanykluss]

You can do water changes during the cycling process it doesnt really make too much of a difference. I think if the no3 stays high for a while id do a 75% pwc, or you could do it now since the ammonia is getting eaten over night. it wont mess up the cycle or anything... and when no2 is high the no3 reading is normally inaccurate anyway.. do a pwc no biggie

 

[Jacca]

Tested after a 30% pwc

Tank 1

Temp 82
PH 7.6
High PH 7.8
Ammo 0.25
No2 2.0
No3 5.0

Dosed ammo back to 4.0 ppm
Will test again tomorrow

 

[Jacca]

Stalled????

Day 13 (I think)
Tank #1
temp 80
PH 7.6+
High PH 7.8
Ammo 0.25 ppm
No2 between 0.25 and 0.50ppm
No3 between 5.0 and 10.0

Tank #2

Temp 75
PH 7.6+
High PH 7.8
Ammo 0.25
No2 5.0+
No3 5.0

I think the high No2 in both tanks has stalled my cycles not sure though.

 

[eco23]

Why do you think it's stalled? I might be a bit mixed up...but it looks fine to me.

 

[Jacca]

Ok just thought the high no2 had stalled it little impatient I guess