Fishless Cycle--Done

[Marconis]

On average, how how will the nitrite go before it decreases?

 

[neilanh]

how high I think you meant...

Mine peaked at 5, and you're dosing similiar to mine.

 

[Marconis]

Yeah sorry about that. A little typo.

Thanks

Also, should I start dosing ammonia or wait until it almost bottoms out?

 

[SparKy697]

Mine got to such a dark purple that I could not tell.

 

[Marconis]

I forgot to mention that I went to the mall with my friends and stopped by Petsmart. Now, I will be going to a place called Selmer's Petland for my fish, but I thought I'd take a look while near Petsmart. I was looking around and asked someone about the seed material. The lady said, "All of our fish representatives are busy at the moment." So I was just like..."Can I just get some of the gravel from one of your tanks because I am doing something called cycling and it'd help me out." Lady:"I don't think we're allowed to do that." So, I just said alright and walked away to go look at fish. I don't know where the hell all the "fish reps" were but whatever. I didn't even know that Petsmart had fish representatives. When I was looking at the fish, I saw a few that I liked. Selmer's has a larger selection, but I found a few that I definitely want. I am unsure about compatibility, so that is where all of you come in to help me out.

**Edit, made a new thread about the fish.

 

[Marconis]

Day 11-

Ammonia- <1.5
Nitrite- 1.5
Nitrate- >5
pH-7.4

My background came

 

[neilanh]

You're definately rolling now. Keep an eye on your ammonia, it'll probably start to fall off fairly quickly.

Thats a shame about petsmart. Are there any other LFSs you could try? Although it looks like you're progressing pretty well now anyway.

Let me know how that background install goes!

 

[Marconis]

There is no plastic on the background. Do I just wet the back of the tank and stick it on?

 

[neilanh]

I thought it was a sticker? that would imply you have to peel it off of some kind of backing, wouldn't it?

 

[Marconis]

I guess I am mentally challenged or something, because the website even says to remove plastic backing cover. Well I don't see one, and I am trying to find an area to peel and I can't find it. I'll keep looking. I am probably a moron lol.


There we go! It was exactly even with the back so there was no visible plastic, I had to lift it with a razor.

 

[neilanh]

PICS!

 

[Marconis]

Day 12-

Ammonia- 1
Nitrite- 2.5
pH- 7.4

I didn't do a Nitrate test today out of laziness, because I only have three test tubes (If you remember, one broke). So I have to go wash them all and then use one of them for pH or nitrate. I like to use them when they are completely dry. Do they sell individual glass tubes for this?

 

[SparKy697]

Do they sell individual glass tubes for this?

I'm told that they do but I have never seen them. If you can't find any let me know, I have extras and will gladly send you one.

 

[Marconis]

Thanks Sparky I really appreciate it. I'll look around a bit first. Thanks again.

 

[neilanh]

Nice, your ammonia conversion is building NO2 very well now. You're reaching the half way point!!!

 

[Marconis]

Day 13-

Ammonia- 0.25
Nitrite- 5, maybe greater
Nitrate- 9
pH- 7.4

 

[neilanh]

Wow, nice NO2 spike. Came on pretty quicly there huh?

 

[Marconis]

Yeah lol.

When should I start to worry about dosing more ammonia. Tonight or tomorrow? When the time comes, how many ml?

 

[neilanh]

The process calls for maintaining it above 1ppm.

You haven't yet demonstrated the ability to convert a full ppm in under 24 hours, and I think we target capability to convert 2ppm in under 24 hours. I would dose it up 2ppm (3ml) today if it were me.

It's going to take a little bit for the bacteria that converts NO2-NO3 to catch up, but I would still go ahead and build up the ammonia-NO2 bacteria a little more if it were me.

 

[Marconis]

Okay, I'll dose 3ml in around 5 tonight.