Fishless cycling: How to maintain bacteria levels?

A

asincero

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Jan 16, 2006
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I started doing a fishless cycle of my 36 gallon tank about 2 weeks ago. I did a water test the day before yesterday and found that the ammonia is now almost completely gone and nitrite levels are through the roof. Based on what I've been reading on doing fishless cycles, it'll probably be another week or two before the nitrite levels fall, nitrate levels go up and my cycling is complete.

My question is, if I'm not ready to put fish in there yet how do I maintain the bacteria colonies? How much ammonia should I put in there to maintain them indefintely until I decide exactly what kind of fish I want in there? I don't want to feel rushed or anything as this is kind of an important decision :).

FWIW, I've recently noticed a couple of tiny snails crawling alongside the glass. I guess they hitched a ride on the amazon swords I threw in the tank. From what I understand, those little buggers can multiply like crazy. I've also noticed that algae has started to form on the piece of bogwood I have in the tank. Since the snails have food, perhaps the snail poop will be enough to maintain bacteria levels? At any rate, I'm now seriously considering some clown loaches to help keep the snail population under control.
 
Please don't put Clown loaches in a 36 gallon tank. Its much too small for them.

Exploding snail populations are caused by excessive food. Its an avoidable problem. If, for one reason or another, it can't be avoided there are other solutions, including small loaches that are just as aggressive about snails as clowns are.

I'd keep dosing the amount it takes you to get from 0ppm to 2 or 3ppm. I don't think the snail poo is going to do it.

:dive2:
 
Just keep doing what your doing for the fishless cycle even after it's done to maintain the bacteria. The snails won't produce enough waist for that. I wouldn't worry about the snails, there will only be enough snails that can live on the current supply of food, so if you don't overfeed, they wont overpopulate. They can help keep the algea undercontrol as well.
 
Im in the middle of a fishless cycle too, and from what Ive come to read, just keep adding the ammonia. When you want, and are ready to add fish, do a huge water change the night before, about 80 percent and this will get rid of all the nitrates that have been building up over the weeks.
 
I advocate a 100% waterchange (just make sure the temperature of the water added to the tank is the same since you don't want to shock your bacteria). This is really your only shot to bring Nitrates as close to 0 before you add fish. After you add the fish 100% waterchanges are dangerous and impractical so you might as well lower them to the lowest possible value before you add the fish.
 
rrkss said:
I advocate a 100% waterchange (just make sure the temperature of the water added to the tank is the same since you don't want to shock your bacteria). This is really your only shot to bring Nitrates as close to 0 before you add fish. After you add the fish 100% waterchanges are dangerous and impractical so you might as well lower them to the lowest possible value before you add the fish.
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rrkss, I think you might have misread the original question. Currently, it is the nitrItes that are high, not the nitrAtes. I strongly advocate AGAINST a big water change right now. Just be patient, keep adding ammonia, and wait for the nitrites to drop and the nitrates to skyrocket before the big water change and adding fish. I did an 80% water change when my nitrites where high and it set my cycle back two weeks. A safer way to do big water changes is to do three 50% changes in three days. A little more work, but it doesn't shock the bacteria.
 
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rrkss said:
I mean the 100% waterchange after the cycle is complete not before. Just clearing it up.
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You caught me mid-edit after realized I misread your post.
 
carpguy said:
Please don't put Clown loaches in a 36 gallon tank. Its much too small for them.
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What would you guys recommend as a good snail eating fish suitable for a 36 gallon tank?
 
A small loach will do the same thing. I have botia striata and botia histrionica zebra loaches and gold zebra loaches in my 30g. These guys both stay under about 4" and are appropriate for small and medium tanks. Very cute, very playful, dedicated snail killers. I have a planted tank, have never seen a living snail (I know some have come in on plants, they're just never seen again).

Snails shouldn't especially be a problem in a well run tank. Too many snails = too much extra food.
 
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