Silent Cycle - Exeriment and Journal - Heavily Planted

[Wy Renegade]

Why does everyone keep saying they think this is a valid idea? People have been doing silent cycling for the better part of a decade.

Here is when I first heard about it from Steve Hampton back in 2006:



From: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/iron-test-kit-84157.html

No doubt, but as Steve pointed out in that tidbit you posted, the key is doing it right . . . i.e. the right choice of plants and CO2 injection and that will support a few fish. What I've noticed is that people tend to take bits and pieces of these ideas and then try to fully stock the tank from the beginning, like its some kind of magical answer. As the OP is already finding out, if you add already cycled media to the filter system, that helps greatly, and you can't overstock.

I'm not trying to slam anyone or their methods, I'm sure that for someone who follow the method to a "T" the silent cycle works as well.

 

[SHARPiE]

Good to see some challenging discussion!
I figured this thread would insight some passion.

Day 13
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0-0.25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
Temp - 26.5

Will do another 50% PWC (I think this is the 5th consecutive daily PWC)

All tankmates accounted for, I'm yet to see the Ghost Glass Catfish feed off flakes, but I did see them eat some live brine. Might get some more live brine to tempt them.

 

[SHARPiE]

Day 14
pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 0-0.25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0-5
Temp - 26.5

Another PWC

Day 15
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0-5
Temp - 25.5

PWC

Day 16
pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0-5
Temp - 25.4


Day 17
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
Temp - 26.0

PWC

Day 18
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
Temp - 25.8




I haven't seen any ammonia for a few days now. Haven't seen nitrites at all. Nitrates keep appearing.

All tank mates are accounted for. Plants growing like crazy. On three of the highest leaves of my tall anuibias, it's getting some black growth - can't scratch or rub it off - any ideas?

I love the Rummy Nose Tetras - they are my early warning system that a parameter was not quite right. 20 mins after a PWC, they are all brightly coloured again. For the past 4 days, they have been happy as. Glass Catfish are getting more and more confident - one actually goes to the water surface to grab flake food.

Will get some pics and another video up soon.

Over the weekend I'm going to trim back the plants and re-arrange, again

 

[SHARPiE]

The tank cycle has stablised. No ammonia or nitrites for a week or so, nitrates slowly rising.
Tannins from the three pieces of driftwood are being released - with the white substrate it's looking slightly yellow.
I'm not too fussed with the colouration.

I removed the Wisteria as I didnt really like the way it looked in my tank, plus it was near the filter return and was being uprooted.

New Tankmates: 1 dwarf neon gourami, 3 bristlenose catfish and 15 cherry shrimp (the later two were donated from a friend).

Time for some shots:

FTS

Glass Catfish

I was trying to take some photos of the shrimp, but the rummynose kept photobombing my shots!

 

[clearancepuppy]

The tank cycle has stablised. No ammonia or nitrites for a week or so, nitrates slowly rising.
Tannins from the three pieces of driftwood are being released - with the white substrate it's looking slightly yellow.
I'm not too fussed with the colouration.

I removed the Wisteria as I didnt really like the way it looked in my tank, plus it was near the filter return and was being uprooted.

New Tankmates: 1 dwarf neon gourami, 3 bristlenose catfish and 15 cherry shrimp (the later two were donated from a friend).

Time for some shots:

FTS

Glass Catfish

I was trying to take some photos of the shrimp, but the rummynose kept photobombing my shots!

Stunning!