cycling

[Teakwood]

Im doing my first fishless cycle I got my test kit in yesterday, the tank has been set up for about a week I added some good old filters from my 10 gallon for seeding material, I also put a couple cups of gravel from the other tank in a sock (is that stupid? I didnt want the other colored gravel mixing in) I put some seeding material in 5 or 6 days ago and more 3 days ago. I tested my water for the first time yesterday ammonia was maybe 7ppm so I did a 50% water change to lower the level and it re tests at about 2 or 3 ppms. No readable nitrites or nitrates. Thoughts? suggestions? super appreciated thanks.

 

[Mrc8858]

It'll take more then a week to get trite readings usually. Are you adding an ammonia source though? And the sock bring is fine lol.

 

[Teakwood]

i did add a tiny bit of ammonia before I had my test kit just to hopefully help things get moving and to feed my bacteria, I know it was potentially risky adding it with out being able to test at the time... I just retested everything since its been 24 hours since I did the water change, I *think im getting a reading on nitrates, the test tube is not the same pure yellow it was yesterday its definitely got a tad more orange so maybe my ton of filter media I added is helping. I will see how it goes over the next couple days.

 

[Teakwood]

Another question, my tank came from a friend who wasnt using it. her dad had it set up for years, it came with a whisper 70 hob filter, an under gravel filter and an older canister filter that has been sitting for a couple years with old filter media in it. I set up the hob on one side and a portion of the undergravel on the other side in hopes it would help with the cycling process and help with good bacteria growth in the gravel. I plan on removing the under gravel filter before adding fish. I would like to get new filter media for the canister eventually but because I have an iron stand Im waiting because I have a toddler who is into everything and no where to hide the canister right now. should I just take the undergravel out and run with the one Hob? I think I will add another hob at some point also.

 

[Mrc8858]

Ya take the undergravel filter out. That's the old school method now lol.

 

[Teakwood]

So no it probably wont help with the cycling? also Is it a good Idea to have lots of bubblers going while cycling?

 

[Mrc8858]

Oxygenating the water is good but you don't need a storm of bubbles or nothing lol. The undergravel filter would help some but not enough that it will be noticeable imo.