New Tank Fishless Cycle Journal

[peter1209]

Hi,
Ok so as I mentioned in some of my previous asking for help threads I am completely new to fish keeping. I dunno if this is the right place for this kind of post but I decided to document my complete cycle from start to finish with test results etc.

My equipment:
98 Litre tank
Prime
Ammonia solution (5% ammonia content, from Robert Dyers here in the UK)
150w heater (temps showing around 28c/82f)
Air bubble bar
All Pond Sollutions Aquarium External Filter 1000 L/H
API Master test kit

20/02/2013 - Completely new setup, added prime, tested all values to make sure everything as it should be:
PH - 8.2
Ammonia (NH3) - 0 ppm
Nitrite (NO2-) - 0 ppm
Nitrate (NO3-) - 0 ppm

With all results showing as they should (i think) I added ammonia and raised it up to 4ppm.

23/02/2013 - While I understand nothing should really have changed I wanted to test mainly for practice and check the PH levels and ammonia. I did also add a very small amount of fish food.
PH - 8.2
Ammonia (NH3) - 3 ppm
Nitrite (NO2-) - 0 ppm
Nitrate (NO3-) - 0 ppm

Someone correct me if im wrong but as far as i can tell the results are to be be expected, hopefully in the next 3-4 days I should start to see an increase in Nitrites and a drop in ammonia.

Nothing to exciting so far but will update with each test etc, any advice is always welcome

 

[apet66]

Your doing everything right. How much live rock do you have in the tank?

 

[librarygirl]

@apet66: probably no live rock as it's freshwater

@peter1209: starting a cycling journal is great. Don't be discouraged if things move a little slowly. It can take 1-2 weeks on average to see ammonia drop and then nitrites show up typically in weeks 3-4 but every tank is different. Sounds like you're doing everything right so far. If the heater is adjustable you can crank it up a bit more to about 86F but what you have now is fine too. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[apet66]

@apet66: probably no live rock as it's freshwater

@peter1209: starting a cycling journal is great. Don't be discouraged if things move a little slowly. It can take 1-2 weeks on average to see ammonia drop and then nitrites show up typically in weeks 3-4 but every tank is different. Sounds like you're doing everything right so far. If the heater is adjustable you can crank it up a bit more to about 86F but what you have now is fine too. Good luck and keep us posted.

Oops, not sure what made me think salt water. Nice catch.

 

[peter1209]

LOL i was like live rock, what the hell is live rock, that something else I need to go out and get.
My heater is adjustable, although it is set to 30c I can put it up to about 34 I think. I've actually order a new tank, 250 litre, which will be ready in a couple of weeks, as I understand it i'm gonna complete the cycle in this current tank and transfer everything to the new tank once complete, of course as well I'll monitor the new tank for a period of time before adding fish to make sure all is ok.

 

[apet66]

Lol, I'm only on my first cup of coffee. Your doing everything right so far. Pictures would be nice. We love looking at other peoples tanks!

 

[peter1209]

26/02/2013 - I only checked the PH and Ammonia levels today:
PH - 8.2
Ammonia (NH3) - 1 ppm
Nitrite (NO2-) - N/A
Nitrate (NO3-) - N/A

Boosted the ammonia back up to 4ppm.

28/02/2013 - Tested ph, ammonia and nitrite just to see if anything is showing,
PH - 8.2
Ammonia (NH3) - 3 ppm
Nitrite (NO2-) - 0.25 ppm
Nitrate (NO3-) - 0 ppm

[moderator edit] I seen the purple colour come through on the nitrite test, very exciting stuff, i know this has actually been produced by bacteria in tank as my starting water had no traces of nitrite at all. I guess I have to start keeping a closer eye on things now and refresh myself with cycle steps.

 

[peter1209]

Oh and regards to pictures I will get some posted when I pickup my new 250L tank on tuesday. I decided that 90ish liter tank just didnt cut it and ordered a 250L from a tank maker here in the UK. I'm going to complete the cycle in the orig tank for now and then just transfer it all over once done or should I change it over when/if say I need to do a large water change during the cycle. I know I need to do a 90% water change at the end of the cycle before adding fish to bring the nitrates right down, i was going to do the changeover then.

 

[apet66]

Oh and regards to pictures I will get some posted when I pickup my new 250L tank on tuesday. I decided that 90ish liter tank just didnt cut it and ordered a 250L from a tank maker here in the UK. I'm going to complete the cycle in the orig tank for now and then just transfer it all over once done or should I change it over when/if say I need to do a large water change during the cycle. I know I need to do a 90% water change at the end of the cycle before adding fish to bring the nitrates right down, i was going to do the changeover then.

When you change over it will stir up your sandbed and release any stored nitrates and cause a spike. If your planning on moving everything, I would do it as soon as possible. Then finish the cycle in the new tank.