Upgrading to a 125 Gallon Tank

[1midniterider]

You're doing a lot of reading which is good.

4-5 ppm ammonia is pretty standard dosing when cycling fishless. Once you seed the tank I'm thinking within the week you should start to see the other readings.

Sometimes I go overboard with the reading. I am an avid researcher.

 

[Kishore]

I've been eyeballing more Mystery Snails, Ivory, Blue and Gold. And Chopstick Snails... Then there are the Cory Catfish. And various colors of Mollies. And Fancy Guppies... And a freshwater shark.

The Cories are a lovely addition to any compatible tank. They have a great personality. Very active and crazy fish. I'm sure you would love a few of those.

 

[1midniterider]

12 days in cycle and I have Nitrites and Nitrates! Looks like I'm in the home stretch! Yaye!!!!

Ammo - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite - 0.50 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm
pH - < 7.6
pH (HR) - < 7.4

Looks like it is time to spike ammo back up... Won't be long until I can put my watery inhabitants into their new home.

 

[1midniterider]

I've finally respiked the ammo levels back to 4 ppm. This time round I added a little at a time to raise the levels and it seemed to take twice as much to get to the proper level. Now to wait for the Nitrites to zero out..

 

[1midniterider]

Moonlight madness... I installed one of the three new lights I ordered. I am returning one of them, it isn't working as expected. I like the idea of in tank lighting. To keep clean lines on top of the tank and for ease of tank maintenance.

Has anyone used or know of a 12VDC power supply that will support multiple lights?

 

[1midniterider]

I'm in uncharted territory... Ammo keeps dropping and Nitrite and Nitrates are increasing. I'm dosing ammo daily now. So I'm guessing the first stage BB has kicked into high gear. The second stage is still trudging along, chipping away at the Nitrite. However, it is great seeing the nitrogen cycle in action.

How much longer does this stage last?

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

If it were me I would stop adding ammonia wait for it all to convert to nitrates, then do a couple wcs to get the nitrates where you want them and start slowly stocking the tank. With the bb you’ve built up and the volume of water you have it should be able to handle a few fish and then slowly build from there. But jmo, so take it for what it’s worth.

 

[1midniterider]

If it were me I would stop adding ammonia wait for it all to convert to nitrates, then do a couple wcs to get the nitrates where you want them and start slowly stocking the tank. With the bb you’ve built up and the volume of water you have it should be able to handle a few fish and then slowly build from there. But jmo, so take it for what it’s worth.

Thanks for the info... This is my first fishless cycle... So this is a new experience for me.

 

[King Fisher]

Nice man. Keep it up. Pretty soon you'll be converting 4 ppm ammonia to nitrates with no nitrites within 24 hours. Then you are set. Don't worry about the nitrates getting high. Knock it out with multiple water changes when the time comes and add fish.

 

[1midniterider]

Nice man. Keep it up. Pretty soon you'll be converting 4 ppm ammonia to nitrates with no nitrites within 24 hours. Then you are set. Don't worry about the nitrates getting high. Knock it out with multiple water changes when the time comes and add fish.

Thanks for the feedback. More information to consider. The plants are enjoying these high levels of ammo... I'm seeing some new growth on the background plants...

 

[1midniterider]

Nitrate levels are climbing. Looking at the color chart, I cannot see a difference between 40ppm and 80ppm. The colors for both levels look the same to me. So with that in mind current levels are:

Ammo 0.50ppm
Nitrite 5ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
pH 7.2
pH (HR) < 7.4
Temp 80.2°F

Once again dosed tank to bring ammo back up. I am witnessing firsthand all that I have read about the nitrogen cycle. I have performed fish in cycling, but those always seemed reactionary. You know... Cloudy water, then drain and refill... Oops, ammo level high, then drain and refill... Nitrate level high, once again drain and refill... Was constantly checking levels and feeding frequency. It was a continuous panic cycle to keep the fish alive.

Fishless cycling is much more controlled method, but it does require a good deal of patience. Patience to allow the process work naturally. It not complete yet, but I want to thank everyone for their patience with me and their advice.

 

[Ulrichsd]

I would do a water change to lower nitrates. Won't affect your cycle. Looks like you are almost there, just another few days.

 

[King Fisher]

I agree with Ulrichsd. If you want to save the headache of multiple water changes later to lower nitrates you can do it now and as you go. Just keep the nitrates no less than 20 ppm for your plants.

 

[1midniterider]

Will do... thanks...

 

[1midniterider]

Looks like pH took a nose dive overnight. It fell to 6.0. Nitrates are through the roof. It is amazing what 12 hours will do. Performed a 50% pwc this morning. Nitrates are still quite after the pwc and pH is back to 7.6. Will perform another 50%, if not more, pwc later today.

Before pwc...



After pwc...

 

[1midniterider]

Getting closer... Completed second 50% drain and fill. Things are looking up. Maybe this weekend will be the day of moving.

New lights installed...

 

[1midniterider]

Just noticed this pinkish, ghostly looking stuff in one location in my substrate. What is it?



I also noticed these very tiny white worms floating in the water, a few even crawling on the glass. From what I read they are harmless.

Little White Worms

 

[Schamens]

Just noticed this pinkish, ghostly looking stuff in one location in my substrate. What is it?

View attachment 313511View attachment 313512

I also noticed these very tiny white worms floating in the water, a few even crawling on the glass. From what I read they are harmless.

Little White Worms

I'm guessing those are detritus worms, and you are right they are actually beneficial in a way. They aerate the substrate and eat leftover food/waste. Fish will eat them if given proper chance, you can get rid of them by gravel vaccing. Sand may not be as easy.

I loved reading through and following your process. I have a 120g, 2 6ft lights and a cannister filter and heater sitting in my basement waiting to be set up, I think I may go buy some cinderblock and 2x4s and build a stand this weekend and get going on that.

Right now I'm cycling a 55g tank that I intend to move my 6 GloDanios and 6 GloTetras into, for a "Glo Tank".

 

[1midniterider]

I'm guessing those are detritus worms, and you are right they are actually beneficial in a way. They aerate the substrate and eat leftover food/waste. Fish will eat them if given proper chance, you can get rid of them by gravel vaccing. Sand may not be as easy.

I loved reading through and following your process. I have a 120g, 2 6ft lights and a cannister filter and heater sitting in my basement waiting to be set up, I think I may go buy some cinderblock and 2x4s and build a stand this weekend and get going on that.

Right now I'm cycling a 55g tank that I intend to move my 6 GloDanios and 6 GloTetras into, for a "Glo Tank".

Thank you... I've never them before or maybe I did and just thought they were debris of some sort. I'm nearing the end of cycling my new tank...

 

[1midniterider]

So, I left work early today and when I got home I saw this....



Why I am seeing white cloudy water at this this stage. Did my cycle start over? Now what? I truly did not expect this...