Fishless Cycle Begins

[Nickfu06]

I filled up my 29gal last night and conditioned it with Prime. This morning I checked the pH was ~8.1 and Ammonia ~0.5. I thought it was kinda strange because I thought Prime was supposed to drop the ammonia to 0. Anyway, I read somewhere to add about two teaspoons of ammonia to start. I checked the ammonia and it was 8ppm+, so I did a 20% water change and Primed the water in the bucket first and let it sit for about 15 mins. When I checked the water about an hour later the ammonia was still showing 8ppm+. What should I do?

[KarlTh]

Prime makes the ammonia non-toxic; it doesn't remove it and it still shows on the tests. Seems little point using it with no fish in the tank.

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

What test are you using?
Have you tested your tap water?

If the readings are correct, do a 50% wc to bring it hopefully to 4-5 ppm depending on what the level is at.

[Nickfu06]

So does that mean that the Prime just screwed up all of my ammonia? Will the bacteria still convert the detoxified ammonia?

I am using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

Tap water tests at 0.5ppm ammonia.

Someone should write in the stickey that your not supposed to use Prime while cycling, I had no idea.

[Zaffy]

You didn't screw it up. You want the tank to have ammonia at 4.0-5.0ppm to start the cycle, then follow the instructions. If you're too high it's not a catastophy.

Test your tap water, straight from the tap no additives, to see what you're dealing with and post it here. Also, test the water in the tank and post it here. People on this board will certainly guide you along if you've got any questions.

Put the prime away for now, you won't need it until you've got fish.

[RDTigger]

So does that mean that the Prime just screwed up all of my ammonia? Will the bacteria still convert the detoxified ammonia?

I am using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

Tap water tests at 0.5ppm ammonia.

Someone should write in the stickey that your not supposed to use Prime while cycling, I had no idea.


I use Prime..

It does a lot, not just neutralize teh bad habits of ammonia. It dechlorinates your tap water and in general helps ready water for WChanges.

I think it is a quality product from a quality company.. Just find the right products and you should be very happy.

I am doing the cycle with Stability atm and having great success...

[Nickfu06]

Will the bacteria still convert the detoxified ammonia?

That's the most important question I had.

[RDTigger]

From everything i have found the ammonia will still be useful for BB...

I am using Prime/Stability right now so if it doesn't work I will be eating my own words.. however some swear by it and I have yet to be disappointed in the companies line. I hear Bio-spira works as well infusing the tank with BB...

If you are still looking for ammonia I would go for some old shrimp as mentioned before or maybe another aquatic raw meat. That seems to offer a good bit of ammonia..

[shanna123]

You'll be glad you are doing a fishless cycle. I did fish in because the stupid pet store told me that was the ONLY way to cycle a tank. Never heard of fishless. Anyway, long story short. You'll be happy to not have to do 4 partial water changes EVERY NIGHT just so you don't kill the fish. Good luck!

[KarlTh]

It's not that you shouldn't use prime when cycling fishlessly, simply that there's no point. The bacteria don't care whether the ammonia's detoxified or not.

[Nickfu06]

OMG, My tank had been running for about three weeks now, but I only started dosing ammonia yesterday. I checked my nitrAtes and the test tube is definitely a deep rosy-purple!!! 5.0ppm+. My nitrItes seem to have a bit of an orange tinge to it ~1.0-5.0ppm. I checked the tap just to make sure I wasn't getting fooled but the tap showed 0.0ppm nitrAtes and nitrItes. My ammonia is still 8.0ppm+, so I'm doing another water change right now. My day just got brighter :)

[Nickfu06]

Sorry I got my A's and I's mixed up in that last post, and it's too late to edit so I'll repost.

OMG, My tank had been running for about three weeks now, but I only started dosing ammonia yesterday. I checked my nitrItes and the test tube is definitely a deep rosy-purple!!! 5.0ppm+. My nitrAtes seem to have a bit of an orange tinge to it ~1.0-5.0ppm. I checked the tap just to make sure I wasn't getting fooled but the tap showed 0.0ppm nitrItes and nitrAtes. My ammonia is still 8.0ppm+, so I'm doing another water change right now. My day just got brighter :)

[jpappy789]

I would make sure you are doing the tests correctly, following the directions by the letter.

At that high of ammonia I would expect your bacteria to be dieing off rather than still functioning.

[Nickfu06]

Yeah I'm doing the tests right. For ammonia its 8 drops of each then shake for 5 seconds then read after 5 minutes. I changed the water for the 3rd time and the ammonia looks like it went down ~4.0-5.0, but with the ammonia test it is a little hard to tell.

[Nickfu06]

Ok, ammonia is definately dropping its ~2.0-3.0ppm. NitrItes are way up, I placed the drops in and they immediately turn purple. NitrAtes are not moving yet. WHERE ARE YOU NITROSPIRA!!!?

[mel_20_20]

Hey.. you're doing great. Nitrites purple... you'll be having nitrates before much longer. Keep doing what you're doing. Keep that ammonia at the safe level for the bacteria to thrive not die, and soon you'll be 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and Nitrates. (20pp or thereabouts good)

Did you say your tap reads .5? That is not good.

Oh, and on the nitrate testing. You really have to shake the bejeebers out of the #2 bottle and then the vial, too, as directed. My arm gets tired, lol.

[Nickfu06]

Yeah I just double checked the tap and it looks like 0.5ppm to me, but if anything it's closer to 0.25ppm. How is it bad? Is it because of the california water shortage maybe?

[froglover007]

I did cycling with fish because I thought that was safe. The ammonia and nitrite went way off the chart. The nitrite was supposed to have a darkish purple as the highest level, but the water was black. I later found out that my filter wasn't working and so I had no filter. Somehow my zebra danios seemed unaffected and none died.

[Nickfu06]

BUMP

Am I going to have any problems later on because my tap reads 0.5ppm ammonia?

[jpappy789]

Not when your tank is completely cycled...your colony should convert the ammonia pretty easily. The addition of prime or a similar product would help in the meantime when you have fish. Just add before you change the water as it is a declor after all.