sixtyfou
Aquarium Advice Freak
Let me restate that. My water is consistent and stable. I know what I'm going to get. It's highly treated.
How does the tank ever cycle if you don't get any ammonia readings?
I'm not arguing, I am simply curious how this could work.
Cycled gravel? Well sure, seeding will always mean success!This is the part were I state the ugly real world truth.
You can start a 20 gallon tank with chem, a cup of gravel, a Danio, and add a couple of Tetras 7 days later, add a couple of fish a week from there. It works fine and nothing dies.
But I challenge you - so what? What's the big deal if there are massive nitrites?I think the instructions for the fishless cycle need looking at definitely as I believe dosing 4ppm to a tank with no bacteria is asking for trouble. You get nothing for ages then bam! I massive reading of nitrites all at once.
It's a bucket, I'm not adding any fish It's a science experiment!This is just my opinion. And with the utmost respect Jen. It seems you are losing track of your experiment already lol. It's so easy to lose track. Just add fish I say.
But I challenge you - so what? What's the big deal if there are massive nitrites?
The forum where I learned fishless cycling doesn't make a big deal about off-the-chart ammonia OR nitrites the way this forum does. The ammonia in my bucket is currently about 20ppm and the cycle is moving.
We shall see - if I have the time, I will accept this challenge!If you can. I would do another experiment after this one. Chuck the water and scrub the bucket, get a new sponge. Add 0.5ppm ammonia and wait until it is processed right the way through to nitrates. Then add 1 ppm and wait again then 2 wait then 3. See how long it takes.
We shall see - if I have the time, I will accept this challenge!
Actually I'm now envisioning a challenge where I cycle two buckets simultaneously with the same 2 filters, but doing one with low ammonia dosing (the way you want to see it) and one the way I was taught (crazy style dosing, crazier than this forum teaches)
I would have to buy at least one more filter though and another heater, so we'll see
Overall I really want some research that will make fishless cycling less confusing for the newbies. Because I agree it does seem confusing to a lot of people.
Hmm. Maybe. But then why isn't anyone ever talking about it?I do hope to get some results that's make this less confusing but I really can't see you being the only person to have tried this
Hmm an interesting and reasonable theoryWhat I believe is that by dosing crazy high ammonia the first bacteria will out compete the second bacteria for surface area. The second bacterias reproduction rate is also much slower and this is one of the reasons why you get off the chart nitrites, because it is taking them longer to reproduce with limited space, especially in a bucket
Hmm. Maybe. But then why isn't anyone ever talking about it?
I don't know how long fishless cycling has been around to be honest. I guess we should question where 4ppm ammonia came from in the first place. I guess it's because it's higher than what a typical stocking of fish would produce.
Hmm an interesting and reasonable theory
It is a theory, but I am not a scientist. Has anyone ever actually studied these bacteria properly hello scientists?
Is this one a BSG quote or are you just saying random stuff nowBring in the cat.