I know there are alot of beginners out there who are confused when numbers dont seem to be moving and get a little frustrated and probably make hasty decisions. So I decided to start a little thread about my own thought as a first timer. I am going by all the same information that I've read online. Most of the information will be in real time and results are not predetermined. If I make a mistake you will know.
I am doing a fishless cycle using ammonia from Ace.
I started my cycle on 11/9 after setting up my new 29g tank the previous day and filtering for 24 hours. I used Aqueon water conditioner and knew nothing of Prime at that point. I happened to read alot about Prime in the last 9 days and since purchased a bottle for the future. My tank temp is currently a balmy 82degrees and all fake plants and gracel were thoroughly washed with tap water and rinsed. My tank is clear with no cloudiness.
Since Im 8 days into the cycle I will give a quick synopsis of those days.
Day 1:
I already made a rookie mistake by not measuring any tap water parameters except the Ph level which was 8.2 from the tap.
I added 3cc of ammonia from a syringe used to measure medicine. After 20minutes the API water test kit measured exactly 4ppm of ammonia. It was a lucky guess!
Day 2:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is holding steady.
Day 3:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is starting to drop.
Day 4:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm while ph is still dropping and now around 7.6. At this point I'm starting to get a little impatient even after all the info Ive read telling be to be patient. I go to my lfs and purchase a bottle of Nite-out II nitrifying bacteria thinking a couple of capfuls will help bacteria growth. I did also add some crushed flakes to the tank.
Day 5:
I excitedly test my water hoping for an ammonia drop but it's still at 4ppm. The ph level is now 7.2.
Day 6:
My ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is holding steady and just figured I wasted $12 on the Nite-out II. I met a parent on my son's soccer team who has an established tank full of Danios and some loaches. I asked them for any filter media but they had just changed the filter and then asked for a bit of substrate. I planned on meeting them the next day.
Day 7:
The ammonia level is still at 4ppm and ph still at 7.2. I met with the people for the substrate. They gave me a 1/2 cup of gravel in a tupperware bowl soaking in their tank water. I immediatley went home and poured it around my filter having high hopes for the next few days.
Day 8:
Here we are today and feeling cursed by the fish gods. My ammonia levels appear ever so slighlty lighter than 4ppm and ph at 7.2. It may be more of my eyes playing tricks on me. Even knowing bacteria needs days to grow I still feel irritable. I lost about 5% of my water due to evaporation and trying to decide whether to add more but dont want to dilute the current ammonia level.
....I will continue this thread daily. I know this is basic stuff but people still need assurance that theyre not the only people there who question themselves.
Any advice that people want to add would also be helpful and appreciated.
I am doing a fishless cycle using ammonia from Ace.
I started my cycle on 11/9 after setting up my new 29g tank the previous day and filtering for 24 hours. I used Aqueon water conditioner and knew nothing of Prime at that point. I happened to read alot about Prime in the last 9 days and since purchased a bottle for the future. My tank temp is currently a balmy 82degrees and all fake plants and gracel were thoroughly washed with tap water and rinsed. My tank is clear with no cloudiness.
Since Im 8 days into the cycle I will give a quick synopsis of those days.
Day 1:
I already made a rookie mistake by not measuring any tap water parameters except the Ph level which was 8.2 from the tap.
I added 3cc of ammonia from a syringe used to measure medicine. After 20minutes the API water test kit measured exactly 4ppm of ammonia. It was a lucky guess!
Day 2:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is holding steady.
Day 3:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is starting to drop.
Day 4:
Ammonia levels are still at 4ppm while ph is still dropping and now around 7.6. At this point I'm starting to get a little impatient even after all the info Ive read telling be to be patient. I go to my lfs and purchase a bottle of Nite-out II nitrifying bacteria thinking a couple of capfuls will help bacteria growth. I did also add some crushed flakes to the tank.
Day 5:
I excitedly test my water hoping for an ammonia drop but it's still at 4ppm. The ph level is now 7.2.
Day 6:
My ammonia levels are still at 4ppm and ph is holding steady and just figured I wasted $12 on the Nite-out II. I met a parent on my son's soccer team who has an established tank full of Danios and some loaches. I asked them for any filter media but they had just changed the filter and then asked for a bit of substrate. I planned on meeting them the next day.
Day 7:
The ammonia level is still at 4ppm and ph still at 7.2. I met with the people for the substrate. They gave me a 1/2 cup of gravel in a tupperware bowl soaking in their tank water. I immediatley went home and poured it around my filter having high hopes for the next few days.
Day 8:
Here we are today and feeling cursed by the fish gods. My ammonia levels appear ever so slighlty lighter than 4ppm and ph at 7.2. It may be more of my eyes playing tricks on me. Even knowing bacteria needs days to grow I still feel irritable. I lost about 5% of my water due to evaporation and trying to decide whether to add more but dont want to dilute the current ammonia level.
....I will continue this thread daily. I know this is basic stuff but people still need assurance that theyre not the only people there who question themselves.
Any advice that people want to add would also be helpful and appreciated.
Last edited:
G00d Luck!
