fishless cycle

[simmak]

My readings are ammonia 0 nitrite 1.0 and nitrate 80 my Ph is 7.6. It is a 64L tank. How close am I to introducing fish. Water change tommorrow. How long will nitrite take to hit 0 and are there any additives like tetra safe start to reduce nitrite. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[boadams87]

My readings are ammonia 0 nitrite 1.0 and nitrate 80 my Ph is 7.6. It is a 64L tank. How close am I to introducing fish. Water change tommorrow. How long will nitrite take to hit 0 and are there any additives like tetra safe start to reduce nitrite. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What are u adding to bring the ammonia up? I wouldn't do a wc yet, its not needed. You can't add fish until nitrites read 0!!!

 

[simmak]

I am adding fish food pellets for a few days to simulate overfeeding. Then remove and test and add more. The ammonia goes up to 0.25-0.5 then drops to 0 but nitrites don't seem to move that's why I was considering tetra safe start. Am I doing something wrong

 

[boadams87]

Your ammonia isn't getting high enough and ur bacteria isn't growing yet. You need pure ammonia to get it to 4 ppm. If they are dropping, it means you have some bb eating so u should be seeing nitrites. Are you seeing nitrates yet at all.

 

[librarygirl]

Additives like safe start won't reduce nitrite. They theoretically can help build the bacteria up that you need but they can be hit and miss and not very reliable. I agree that dosing with fish food isn't exact; ideally you want to get your ammonia up to 4. It's good you have nitrite already (assuming your tap water has 0 nitrite) ....the nitrite phase is the longest though and can take a few weeks on its own. If you can get some pure ammonia it would be an easier way to dose. I know some in the UK have used Boots ammonia to cycle tanks.

Here are some links if you haven't seen them:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html
Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

 

[simmak]

Thank you librarygirl for that link it has explained exactly what I have to do was getting bogged down with different views and conflicting ways to get a tank up and running. Thank you

 

[simmak]

Ok got some ammonia and dosed tank to 4ppm here we go haha

 

[boadams87]

What kind did u get?

 

[simmak]

Tank fully cycled ammo 0 nitrites 0 nitrAtes 10. Thanks for advise and links