Struggling with first fishless cycle

[librarygirl]

So it's been about two weeks since you started over? You're still in the normal range; it usually takes 2-3 weeks for ammo to start dropping and then nitrites show shortly afterwards in weeks 3-4, on average. You could try the RO Rite, it couldn't hurt and since you've got it, why not?

 

[Ponch]

So it's been about two weeks since you started over? You're still in the normal range; it usually takes 2-3 weeks for ammo to start dropping and then nitrites show shortly afterwards in weeks 3-4, on average. You could try the RO Rite, it couldn't hurt and since you've got it, why not?

Yes two weeks since started over. However saw ammo dropping in first 3-4 days but still no sign of nitrites at day 14. Only reason I'm hesitating on the RO rite is that id like to know if my tap water can be cycled without additives. Assuming it does cycle with RO rite I guess adding RO rite with each pwc in the future is not THAT laborious... But it's a curiosity that I would like to know... Comes down to how much I am willing to wait I guess.

 

[Ponch]

UPDATE - 21 days in the books since starting over

AMMONIA - 1.0ppm
Nitrites - 0ppm
Nitrates - 0ppm

Encouraging to see ammo dropping a bit but still no sign of nitrites/trates. Water level running low so i had to add more to keep the filter running. As result also dosed the ammonia back up to 3ppm. If i don't see any nitrites/trates by next Sunday I'm adding the RO rite! but per library girl this should be the week they start to show up. fingers crossed

 

[Ponch]

UPDATE: 28 days

Ammo - 3.0ppm
Nitrite -0ppm
Nitrate -0ppm

Still no movement with nitrites. Added the Kent's RO rite yesterday. Hopefully something will happen soon.

 

[jlk]

Have you considered getting a live filter to jump start things as well? I dont have the link but Librarygirl can give it to you & suggest what size filter. I believe its called 'angelsplus'.

 

[Ponch]

JLk - I'm ready to try an angels plus filter.

LibraryGirl - With a 5 gallon tank I think 3" is fine. Would you agree? Also 20ppi as I intend to have guppies once I get cycled. Finally, does the sponge filter come with everything you need to set it up ? If not, what else is needed ?

Thanks.

 

[librarygirl]

JLk - I'm ready to try an angels plus filter.

LibraryGirl - With a 5 gallon tank I think 3" is fine. Would you agree? Also 20ppi as I intend to have guppies once I get cycled. Finally, does the sponge filter come with everything you need to set it up ? If not, what else is needed ?

Thanks.

Here's the link: Sponge Filters for aquariums They have a 3" active (40 ppi) and a 4" (20 ppi). Either one is fine I'd say. I'd go with the smaller one; even the 3" sponge was larger than I expected so it may take up a lot of room in a 5 gal but for now it's fine. When the tank cycles you may want to cut it up and try putting some pieces into your current filter if it's too large for the tank itself. It comes with the filter and a magnet and a tube but you'd need to get some airline tubing (cheap at most stores) and an air pump (a small Top Fin would be fine).

 

[Ponch]

Here's the link: Sponge Filters for aquariums They have a 3" active (40 ppi) and a 4" (20 ppi). Either one is fine I'd say. I'd go with the smaller one; even the 3" sponge was larger than I expected so it may take up a lot of room in a 5 gal but for now it's fine. When the tank cycles you may want to cut it up and try putting some pieces into your current filter if it's too large for the tank itself. It comes with the filter and a magnet and a tube but you'd need to get some airline tubing (cheap at most stores) and an air pump (a small Top Fin would be fine).

Hi all - So i've now got my new angelsplus 4" filter installed - but I have an installation question. I read the plastic lift tube is supposed to only be inserted 1" into the sponge filter. When I do this the top of the tube sticks out the water. Should it be totally submerged in the water or should the top of the plastic lift tube stick out of the water? Thx

 

[Ponch]

Hi all - So i've now got my new angelsplus 4" filter installed - but I have an installation question. I read the plastic lift tube is supposed to only be inserted 1" into the sponge filter. When I do this the top of the tube sticks out the water. Should it be totally submerged in the water or should the top of the plastic lift tube stick out of the water? Thx

Just saw this angels plus video which answered my question - tube can go underwater.... now we wait. will do more frequent API readings. prior to putting in the sponge filter today I got a 2.5ppm Ammonia and 0ppm nitrites.

 

[Ponch]

Just saw this angels plus video which answered my question - tube can go underwater.... now we wait. will do more frequent API readings. prior to putting in the sponge filter today I got a 2.5ppm Ammonia and 0ppm nitrites.

and here's the referenced video

 

[jlk]

Good luck & keep us posted!

 

[Ponch]

So it's been about 2.5 days since I installed the angels plus filter and I'm starting to see some action!

Ammo 0.0
Nitrites 0.0
Nitrates 10ppm

I still have not seen any nitrites but am assuming they were there and we're quickly converted to nitrates. Its amazing to see ammonia show up as bright yellow on the api test when it has been more or less a dark green forever! So I dosed the ammo back up to around 4 ppm ...will see how quickly these conversions are happening.

The other main change I made that probably helped this process along was adding an air pump about 4-5 days before the angels plus filter arrived. This small pump adds an amazing amount of air bubbles compared to the few bubbles that we're being produced with letting filter water splash into the tank.

So if I remember - once nitrates reach a certain level I want to make a large partial water change, right?

 

[librarygirl]

So it's been about 2.5 days since I installed the angels plus filter and I'm starting to see some action!

Ammo 0.0
Nitrites 0.0
Nitrates 10ppm

I still have not seen any nitrites but am assuming they were there and we're quickly converted to nitrates. Its amazing to see ammonia show up as bright yellow on the api test when it has been more or less a dark green forever! So I dosed the ammo back up to around 4 ppm ...will see how quickly these conversions are happening.

The other main change I made that probably helped this process along was adding an air pump about 4-5 days before the angels plus filter arrived. This small pump adds an amazing amount of air bubbles compared to the few bubbles that we're being produced with letting filter water splash into the tank.

So if I remember - once nitrates reach a certain level I want to make a large partial water change, right?

Glad to hear it's going well! It's possible the filter had enough nitrite converting bacteria so you may not even see that phase but it's best to keep dosing and checking to make sure; the last thing you want is to add fish prematurely and get spikes. Nitrates will rise, that's normal. Without fish in the tank you can just let them build; mine got as high as 160 during my fishless cycle. The day before you add fish though you'll do at least one 100% water change to get the nitrates as low as you can; <10 is good, <5 is best. Keep us posted!

 

[jlk]

Good job!!! As Librarygirl suggested suggested, keep dosing the amm for a few more days & if you keep getting the am/nitrites to zero out, your cycled!!!!

 

[Ponch]

Good job!!! As Librarygirl suggested suggested, keep dosing the amm for a few more days & if you keep getting the am/nitrites to zero out, your cycled!!!!

Thanks! I dosed it back up to 4ppm ammo this morning and decided to check nitrites just a few minutes ago .... After dinner For the first time EVER I actually got a nitrite reading! 0.25ppm. The ammonia alert reader tipped me off the ammo was already dropping. So ... I have to say after months of waiting and nothing happening, this has been a very good day! I think it was the angels plus filter - I really do - since things progressed so quickly once I put it in the tank (as compared to everything else I have done previously).

 

[librarygirl]

Glad to hear things are progressing!

 

[Ponch]

So I've had a pretty good week this past week... Have taken the tank through the full cycle 2x but on my 3rd attempt, with a 4ppm dose of ammonia it seems to be stuck. Ammonia been at around 2ppm for a couple days now. I am bummed because I was planning I get fish this weekend.

Reading the Eco23 fishless cycle article again it seems that I may need to do a pwc to get more nutrients into the water to get unstuck. Sound right? Any suggestions?

 

[Hholly]

I'm thinking yes. And then dose it to 2ppm instead of 4 and see what happens. Eco also mentioned adding a pinch of fish food too. Maybe try that.

 

[jlk]

Im sorry! I would give the water change a try & only dose the amm to 2ppm for a 2days & see if it zeros out. Im not sure why things suddenly stop working. Has your ph remained stable?

 

[Ponch]

Im sorry! I would give the water change a try & only dose the amm to 2ppm for a 2days & see if it zeros out. Im not sure why things suddenly stop working. Has your ph remained stable?

It does look like ph has dropped. Previously (last few months) it has consistently been 7.6-7.8 range so I basically stopped testing that daily. Just tested now and it's a 6.0! Very strange. Tested my tap water as well and it's a 6.6 which is significantly lower than in the past. Assuming 6.6 ph is the new norm for my tap water it still looks like its low. Is a water change the best course of action here with some further testing to see where it lands?