Fishless Cycle

[dano104]

I just fired my new aquarium up last Sunday (4 days ago). I am cycling my tank with pure ammonia, and SeaChem Stability. My water chemistry for the past 3 days has been: Ammonia 4ppm, nitrites 0, nitrates 0, ph 7.8 temp 80F. Being that I just started my tank with no "seeding" material, why would my water start to appear to be a little cloudy?

 

[smallfry53]

I think it is pretty common for tanks to do that. When I set mine up after about 24 hours it got very cloudy, but cleared back up within a few days. You could probably raise the temp. a few degrees and it could make things go a little faster. If you can't find anywhere to get seeded material near you, you could always buy an "active" filter from angelsplus.com I bought one of those and has really sped up my cycle. Good Luck!

 

[jlk]

Hi! Welcome to AA!!! It sounds like your off to a good start. Did you use a dechlorinator in addition to the Stability? The Stability product does not remove chlorine or chloramines which will prevent your beneficial bacteria from growing. I suspect the cloudiness is related to the Stability product. My advice would be to skip the Stability, just use a good water conditioner (such as Prime), & have some patience. Please ask if you have any questions!

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium-186089.html

 

[librarygirl]

I think the OP is asking when it will get cloudy, not that it is yet (although I could be wrong, it's been a long day lol). Every tank is different; my tank never got cloudy when I cycled it. It's only been a few days though so anything can happen.

 

[Snowinak]

Are you using sand or gravel? I have white sand and when I fired my tank up for the first time it took about 4-5 days before the water finally started to clear up even though i washed the sand and all decor. Give it a few days and im sure everything will settle. Its too early to be a bacteria or alga bloom

 

[dano104]

When I initially setup the new tank, I added the 50 gallons of water (untreated) allowed to cycle for 30 minutes, to kill any unwanted bacteria with the chlorinated water. After the 30 minutes were up I de-chlorinated with API Stress Coat, which I allowed to cycle for 3 Hours. At this point I added the initial amount of SeaChem Stability, and have been adding it per instructions to this day. Water just appears to be lightly cloudy (white hue, not green)

I am using gravel for substrate which was heavily rinsed.

My tank chemistry for today (day 5):
ammonia: 3-4ppm
ph: 7.8
nitrites: neg
nitrates: neg
temp: 82.0F

Does it sound like I have to wait for cloudiness to clear itself, or should I try to polish water with a low micron filter? I believe it is probably too early to be a bacterial bloom.

I have only added ammonia (Z-force Extra Strength - clear) once.

 

[jlk]

I suspect the Stability is causing the cloudiness. Another filter isnt necessary but if the cloudiness is annoying, a water change will remove the product. Just make sure you use temperature-matched, conditioned water. Dose the conditioner before refilling if your using python/water changer & skip the Stability. I do not think this product is doing anything here other than clouding your water.

 

[Hholly]

I just set up a new tank ad it's very cloudy from micro bubbles from the filter. Do you notice if it could just be bubbles?

 

[dano104]

I did initially have a real problem with microbubbles, however it was easily fixed by adjusting the spray bar on the emperor filters to spray parallel with the ground, versus spraying at a downward angle.

 

[dano104]

Added a few "hardy" fish, (purchased for me as a gift), I still haven't seen a ammonia drop (0.5-1.0ppm). Tank has been up for almost 3 weeks now..... No nitrites either.

 

[jlk]

Did you do a big water change before adding the fish?? You need to do a couple of big water changes now that fish are in there to get your amm level below .25ppm. Do not add ammonia now that fish are in there- they are providing the ammonia source. Ill post a link for fish-in cycling- you will need some patience & you will have to test your water daily & do water changes as needed to keep your fish healthy.

I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?!