Fishless Cycle--Done

[locorosa]

Neilanh wrote: "Well, everything that I say that is right, is cuz of what I've learned from the people on this forum. I didn't know squat when I got here, except that the fish needed water to survive. "

That and the fact that you knew to call your wife for directions about the test stains! *Snort*

I agree with him though, you should see the "signs" faster than a tank that has not had fish. My seed material came from my gold's tank and I saw life within 3 or 4 days AND the big spikes came faster as well. There were a couple of days where my tubes were bright orange-brown, deep purple and, dark green.
You may see that ph drop as you get close to being cycled. I know Neilanh and I did.

 

[Marconis]

Day 2- Ammonia 2.5ish
pH 7.4
Nitrite 0


I thought once ammonia went down you'd see nitrite? Should I dose more ammonia back in?

 

[SparKy697]

I would watch it and try to keep the ammonia above 1ppm at this point. Since you have seen your ammonia come down a little, you may see nitrites very soon.

 

[neilanh]

You sure there wasn't any purple in the NO2 test?

You're on track, I saw a definate decline in ammonia 3 days before I saw any NO2. I agree, I'd let it go for now. When it gets below 1, I'd dose it back to 3-4ppm.

Now, if this cycle finishes before mine too... I'm going to cry

 

[Marconis]

Haha neilanh, I hope it doesn't either...Yeaahhhhh right, of course I want it to finish early . Some pics for all of you!

Check out the pic of me and my bro holding lobsters in the "So what do you look like thread?"

My 46g: (Blurry pic)



I'd show you a pic of tank with moonlights but they didn't come yet.

 

[locorosa]

Nice! I think it looks very good. I am partial to plastic plants since they are sooooo easy to maintain...lol.
I like the holey rock, I may have to get some for my tank.

 

[neilanh]

Very nice, I like it!

 

[Marconis]

Day 3 (Technicall only day 2 since ammonia was placed in on Monday, but we'll call it 3)

pH-7.4
Ammonia-1.5
Nitrites- 0.0!!! :-(


On a happy note, my moonlights came and I am hooking them up tonight.

 

[neilanh]

if you're getting overly anxious already, this is going to be a long long road my friend.

I predict 2-3 days you'll see NO2 traces.

Moonlights, SWEET! pics after theyre working please!

 

[Marconis]

Lol, Im not OVERLY anxious, just...anxious. It's understandable though isn't it? I am prepared for the constant waiting. I know I ask a lot but do you think I should wait til tommorow to dose 1/4 tsp in?


***Scratch that, my mom brought me home a medicine dropper thing from the medical group she works at. It goes up to 10 mL.

 

[neilanh]

I think you could wait if you wanted to, or you could add another 3ml now if you wanted (3ml is just about 2ppm on our 46gl tanks). I don't think it's going to make that big of a difference, except that you assure yourself the ammonia won't bottom out over the next 24 hours. I don't think it will, I think you'll stay somewhat constant for another day or 2, but it won't hurt to get it up a little higher.

Those little droppers are awesome for this.

It's completely understandable, the longer my cycle goes, the worse it gets too.

Get those moonlights in yet?

 

[Marconis]

Hey I just got finished putting the moonlights in...and WOW. They are so cool. The one near the filter looks awesome because of the current. They are just unbelievable. I didn't even realize that the fake algae on my brown rock glows sort of, looks kinda cool.

Another thing I didn't realize is how much more fake everything looks in my tank photo. I assure you they look pretty realistic in person (ie: The plants are a duller green so it looks more natural.)

 

[neilanh]

Pictures have a way of doing that.
Where's the moonlight pics? Curious to see what layout you chose

 

[Marconis]

My dad brought the dock back to work so I have to wait until tommorow. I have one on each side, and both shine down onto the rocks.


9:57 I tested again, not to try and rush things, but because I am worried that my ammonia will hit 0 by the time I get home from school tommorow. It's at 1.5 ppm. I don't think it will either, but I may test in the morning and see what it is then.

 

[Marconis]

Day 4

Ammonia- 1.5
Nitrite-0
pH-7.4

Same as yesterday

 

[neilanh]

Same as yesterday

give it another day or two, that first hint of purple is very exciting.

 

[Marconis]

Lol, I could only imagine.

 

[neilanh]

Just hope you don't run into my problem, where the purple won't go away.

I was excited that day, now I'm so sick of purple I can't stand it and am praying for blue again.

Make sure you read my thread, especially page 6. Might give you some tips to avoid my problem.

 

[Marconis]

I just dosed in 1ml of ammonia, just so i don't have to worry about it dropping while I am at school. I am going to test again tomorrow afternoon. I don't think anyone is reading this except for neilanh lol. Thanks a bunch man, I really appreciate your help.

 

[neilanh]

You can keep dosing like you're doing, or you can push it back up to the 4 or 5 range if you wanted. If it does bottom out, but you catch it within a day I don't think you'll set things back any.