Okay, I've been fishless cycling for 2 weeks now, and my ammonia hasn't budged one little bit since the very first dose. It's at 4.0ppm. I know several people on here do not beleive in the bacteria in a bottle products, but I also know some of you have used them. At this point, I am willing to try anything!! I am going to town tomorrow and am stopping at the lfs. Looking for suggestions of which prduct to try, anyone who has used them I would appreciate suggestions, thanks!!
Ready to try anything...
- Thread starter Fishy123
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Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
Two weeks is a long time for sure and I'd suggest reading the link below. IMO it won't hurt to try some, they're chem free so the worst that could happen is it'd cost you a few dollars lol. Don't know the brands, but my LFS has some they keep refrigerated (keeps bacteria dormant till needed), so if they have that I'd go for it myself. I'd suggest you pick up a couple bunches of Anacharis and toss them straight into your tank, they'll have bacteria attached and IMO/E they'll contribute to the cycling process.
Tips and tricks for your fastest fishless cycle!
Anacharis can slow or interfer with the cycling process as it eats ammonia as a nutrient, same as it eats nitrates.
If you do add plants, just add a stem or two. They will, as limpit said, have BB to contribute.
If you can get a hold of some substrate from an already cycled tank, that is the very best way to kick start a cycle, and it will also speed the process.
It definately sounds like yours has stalled.
If you do add plants, just add a stem or two. They will, as limpit said, have BB to contribute.
If you can get a hold of some substrate from an already cycled tank, that is the very best way to kick start a cycle, and it will also speed the process.
It definately sounds like yours has stalled.
Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'd have to completely disagree with you about Anacharis since I cycled my tank from zero with plants and one main one being Anacharis in a little over 2 weeks.
Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
Sure they use ammo, they also decay in a toxic environment and that in turn contributes to feeding the bacteria naturally. Fact is the BB will do more good from adding the Anacharis than the loss of dosed ammo.
As far as science goes, I agree it has it's place in aquariums, but IME it's more an art form that a scientific experiment lol.
WendiDell
Aquarium Advice Addict
Some tank cycle faster than others. I think buying bacteria in a bottle is a waste of money and that 2 weeks isn't that long, unless you are using a seeded filter.
Before you buy anything try a PWC and give it a few more days to start.
I know it's hard waiting to add fish. Working so hard on an empty tank seems never ending. If you had fish 2 weeks would be nothing at all.
It has been known to take up to six weeks to cycle if you don't have an established filer or filer media.
It's your tank, your time and your choice, but I would give it some more time.
Before you buy anything try a PWC and give it a few more days to start.
I know it's hard waiting to add fish. Working so hard on an empty tank seems never ending. If you had fish 2 weeks would be nothing at all.
It has been known to take up to six weeks to cycle if you don't have an established filer or filer media.
It's your tank, your time and your choice, but I would give it some more time.
ejaramillo01
Aquarium Advice Addict
Fishy123 said:
I suggest you to use two products that you can get at Petco:
Special Blend
Nite Out II
Both are from the same company, I think that is Micro Lift, IMO they kind of work for me
Randi
Aquarium Advice Regular
I think your best bet is to ask the fish store for some used filter media or a couple handfuls of gravel out of one of their tanks. (make sure to keep it wet) Offer money if they seem skeptical. That should get everything moving along.
None of the stores here would give me anything from their tanks, so I have no seed material. I know two weeks isn't a long time to actually cycle a tank, but in over two weeks shouldn't the ammonia levels have moved a little? I thought it took a few days maybe a week, then they came down slowly, then you dosed back up, and you did that a few times until it goes down in 24 hrs, then you go to next step. It's just frustrating seeing nothing happen at all.
Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
You're quite correct and a bundle of Anacharis will break your stalled cycle. Did you try some of the bacteria solution?
eco23
Aquarium Advice Addict
Fishy123 said:
Each tank really has a mind of their own. There's an unbelievable amount of variables that go into a cycle that can alter the time frame (tank size, amount of oxygen, etc...). I've spoken with a few people who used the "instant cycling" products and have seen movement in their levels. That being said, the one thing I hear over and over is that tanks cycled with those products somehow result in a much less stable bio-filter, so if you go that direction and the tank actually cycles...keep an extremely close eye out for any ammo spikes as the tank ages.
I found a good article explaining the differences in the types of bacteria found in bottled products, as opposed to what you naturally grow in your own cycle. I'll see if I can find it.
eco23
Aquarium Advice Addict
Here's the article...it's quite long winded, but you can just scroll down to the section about bottled bacteria. It's got some interesting info.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html
James_in_MN
Aquarium Advice FINatic
eco23 said:
Great read. That's going straight to my sig.
doublenerds
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
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I feel your pain - I am on day 22 of my first fishless cycle with no discernible change to ammonia levels (I keep telling myself that maybe the green in the test tube is getting a little lighter this time, but that's mostly wishful thinking).
Last week I threw in a bottle of Tetra Safestart, which did exactly nothing to move things along. I"m sure it didn't hurt, but it was definitely money thrown out the window.
Hang in there...sooner or later it MUST work!
Last week I threw in a bottle of Tetra Safestart, which did exactly nothing to move things along. I"m sure it didn't hurt, but it was definitely money thrown out the window.
Hang in there...sooner or later it MUST work!
Excellent article Eco23....will definately bookmark that one, thank you! I think I will test the PH tonight and make sure it isn't way off the charts one way or another as it sounded like that could effect the growth of bacteria also.
WendiDell
Aquarium Advice Addict
Off topic for a second. Is your Avatar a picture of your own Mud puppy? He's very cute.
Okay after a frustrating weekend, I have my patience pants back on this week. I bought some pH down saturday, as I read in a few different articles it can add phosphates that help the bacteria grow. I added the recommended dose and I think it may have helped. Ammonia appears to have possibly gone down to 2.0ppm. I will check again tomorrow, as I had a hard time distinguishing colors today. Fiancee said it looked like 2.0 to him, so keep your fingers crossed he's right!
James_in_MN
Aquarium Advice FINatic
WendiDell said:
I wish I had it, LOL.
It's pictures of a Mexican walking fish.
Aquarist Classifieds Open Forum : Fish With Legs????
Mexican walking fish - Google Search
Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander
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