When I fishless cycled i introduced seeded material 3 times. I also changed water a few times. My cycle lasted 10-12 days.
PH seemed to rise also during the cycle. heres my notes and test results day by day.
Set up tank. seeded with gravel, filter, rocks, 50% tank water.
10 gallon tank
9th Tested 0
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 0
ppm nitrate 7.4
ph Temp 86-88F
(added Bio-zyme)(added a pinch of flake food)
10th Tested 0
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 0
ppm nitrate 7.4
ph Temp 88-90F
(water change )(
ph down)
Started adding Ammonia.
11th Tested 5-6
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 0
ppm nitrate 7.6
ph Temp 88-90F
(added ammonia TOO! MUCH!! get ammonias to 5-6
ppm)(water change)(
ph down)
12th Tested 3-5
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 0
ppm nitrate 7.8
ph Temp 88-90F
(water change)
13th Tested 3-5
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 5
ppm nitrate 7.6
ph Temp 88-90F
(water change with seeded tank water and gravel wastes)
(added gravel, rock and air bubbler)
(added Bio-Zyme)
14th Tested 3-5
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 5
ppm nitrate 7.8
ph Temp 88-90F
(added ammonia about 7-8 drops)
15th Tested 6
ppm ammonia 0,25-0.50
ppm nitrite 10
ppm nitrate 8.0
ph Temp 88-90F
(added ammonia 6-7 drops )(added clean water)(lowered temp)(added Bio-Zyme)
16th Tested 5-6
ppm ammonia 0.50
ppm nitrite 10-20
ppm nitrate 7.8
ph Temp 84-86F
(added ammonia 3-4 drops)
17th Tested 2-3
ppm ammonia 0.50-1.0
ppm nitrite 10-20
ppm nitrate 7.8
ph Temp 84-86F
(added ammonia 3 drops)(added
ph down to 7.4
ph)
(seeded with filter pad rinse)
18th Tested 1
ppm ammonia 0.50-1.0
ppm nitrite 20
ppm nitrate 7.4
ph Temp 82-84F
(added ammonia 3 drops)( Lowered temp 82-84F)
19th Tested 0
ppm ammonia less than 0.25
ppm nitrite 20-40
ppm nitrate 7.4
ph Temp 82-84F
(added ammonia 3 drops)
20th Tested 0
ppm ammonia 0
ppm nitrite 10-20
ppm nitrate 7.4
ph Temp 84F
(added 1 drop every 4 hours, 2 drops before going to bed)
(topped off with clean water)
cycled! changed 50% of the water , lowered temp to 78F and added 6 fish. no problems