Fishless cycle

[Calvin and Kyle]

Okay doing a fishless cycle now. Ammonia is currently at a 1.0. Went to this over night from a .5. Introduced some filter media to help speed this up.

Tank has been up and running for about 2 and a half weeks. Should I try to kick up the ammonia? Using food flakes.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

What's the other tests like nitrite and nitrate. Id raise it back up

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Ph is at a 7.3 and my nitrites are at about a .2-.5 nitrate at 20. So raise it?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yep raise it back up. Its not complete till ammonia and nitrite can convert all the way to nitrates

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Okay thanks! I'll raise it up! And check again tomorrow!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

No problem

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Put fish food in yesterday. Tested today. Pretty much exact same levels? I'm confused I thought ammonia would have increased at least a little? Help? Recommendation?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Have you been using food the whole time to fishless cycle.? The reason I ask is because it takes a lot of food to raise it up plus it has to start breaking down. Imo I would do a big water change and make sure you get all the food out. Test the water and if ammonia and nitrite are reading zero then add a couple little fish at a time every few days. Only add if the water is still testing good. Keep a good eye on it and do water changes as needed. Doing a fish on cycle will be much faster easier and cheaper in the long run. The only other option Imo would be to take shrimp from uour local grocery store and
lgthrow it in the tank to cycle that way.

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Everyone always tells me fishless is easier and quicker? And I'm gonna be gone for 4 days in Florida. So I can't really manage the fish while I'm gone. So I'm thinking piece of shrimp might be my option.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

With shrimp you have to be able to take it in and out but you could just leave it in while your gone to keep ammonia in the tank plus it has to start breaking down. Most people that do fishless use the ammonia in a bottle and add it. The shrimp would probably be best Imo while your gone. Once it starts to break down it will start to smell. You can throw it out and add a new shrimp. Id add a new one before you leave for Florida so you don't return to a stinky house.

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Lol ahh man this sucks! I was actually born without a sense of smell.. So that kinda makes that tricky! I'll get a bottle of ammonia! Throw the shrimp in right before I leave for the airport, pull it out when I get home water test, and use the bottled stuff.

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Okay! I got that ultra special only seemingly found at ace hardware ammonia. I dosed my tank up to about a 4.5. Gonna leave in about an hour for Florida, test when I get back? Does this sound like the right thing to do?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Sounds like the only thing you can do. Hopefully when you get back the ammonia will ne gone, I guess we'll see

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Yeah! If its reduced just boost it back up? And if its gone do the same to see if it can handle it over night, right?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yeah! If its reduced just boost it back up? And if its gone do the same to see if it can handle it over night, right?

Yep pretty much good luck

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Awesome thanks! Ill post in a few days!!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Awesome thanks! Ill post in a few days!!

We'll be around have fun in Florida

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

I'm back! My ammonia level is about a 4.0 so. But! My nitrites are at a 10.0 or higher. And nitrates are at 20.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I'm back! My ammonia level is about a 4.0 so. But! My nitrites are at a 10.0 or higher. And nitrates are at 20.

How high did you dose it up to?

 

[Calvin and Kyle]

Well I wanna say it was a 4.5 or 5.0 when I left. But I did put food in there as well before hand so it's possible it got higher.