Fishless cycle. A little overzealous on the ammonia

PuppyFluffer

PuppyFluffer

AC Members
Jan 9, 2008
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east coast USA
So I got a bit ambitious with the ammonia and added enough to peg out my API test kit - which tops out at 8.0 - dark forest green. I didn't measure. I just put in a small splash.

I have put a sponge from an Aqua Clear mini (I think it's now called a 20. It's the smallest filter they make.) It came off of my fully cycled 10 gallon

How fast does the bacteria multiply. I have certainly given them plenty to eat!

Anyone got a guess how fast it will drop?

I do have another sponge I can add from another tank but it's only got 2 small fish so the bio load is really small in that tank.
 
To do a fishless cycle, you need to keep your Ammonia around 5.0. Higher amounts does not speed up the cycle.

I would suggest doing a water change to get your ammonia down to 5. Also crank up your heater to 85 if you haven't done so already.

I just finished a fishless cycle, it took 3 weeks. I used a shrimp to get my ammonia up.

Good luck
 
cerhob said:
I would suggest doing a water change to get your ammonia down to 5. Also crank up your heater to 85 if you haven't done so already.
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I would also suggest a water change.
 
Easy enough to do a water change. I'm surprised that the small quantity I added registered so high on the test.

I've got a little science experiment going with my 6 year old on this project. We are charting and recording the process. It's a good learning experience.
 
cerhob, did you start with any established media?

This is my first fishless cycle. I did a fishy cycle - only because I was totally assured by the lfs that Bio-Spira would work and that neons were hardy fish and that they would be just fine! That was a disaster! Then I found Aquaria Central!
 
Don't bacteria start to die at ammonia concentrations that high?
 
Temeraire said:
Don't bacteria start to die at ammonia concentrations that high?
Click to expand...

Well, I don't have any idea. I must have added enough to choke a horse though as I have been changing out a WHOLE lot of water!

The third test is on the counter right now. It looks like it's registering about a 4 now.

I didn't think I added that much. If I had to guess, I'd say about 1/16 to 1/8 of a cup. I don't know how that equates to Tablespoons. It's a 20 high tank.

I do have ceramic media and another sponge available to move over if I need to bring more bacteria.

I'm not stocking until fully cycled and I am in no hurry. It's a fun process to observe and a great homeschooling lesson.
 
You only need to add a few drops of ammonia to get your ammonia levels up to a crazy level I would think, and a capful of pure ammnoia is probably like a whale peeing in your tank! lol Well depending how big your tank is lol.
Anyhow do you have a dropper of sorts...like a medicine dropper? If you do I would consider using that and tracking how many drops it takes to get you to 4 ppm. Keeping it constant is the way your fishless cycle will progress.
gl
 
It only takes about 1/2 a teaspoon to get my ammonia level in my 55g between 2-4ppm...
 
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