I'm new to this wonderful forum. It's been quite a few years since I've kept fish so I feel very much new to this hobby. The discussion and information available here have been extremely helpful. I have been reading a lot lately and thank you. I guess I'm posting to say hi, to get some reassurance from the collective that I'm cycling (fishless) correctly, and to get some suggestions as well.
My current (temporary) setup includes: Fluval 304, 28g Rubbermaid tub, couple plants (one's a Java moss; the other is unknown to me). I though I would start the cycling with this setup while I am shopping around for a tank. I bought the 304 anticipating the purchase of a 40-50g tank. By the time I get the tank, I can just transfer the filter and plants over. The cycling could be complete by then or at least not have long to go.
What I have done so far (it's been 10 days):
Day 1: I added ammonia and some fish food (to let it rot). Readings two hours later were ammonia 3, nitrite 0, pH 9, KH 4 dh, GH 4 dh
Day 2: Readings were ammonia 3, nitrite 0, pH 9, KH and GH both at 4 dh. I added more ammonia to bump it up to 5 ppm.
Day 3-4: All readings stayed the same. On Day 4, I replaced about 2 g of the tub water with water that had been sitting overnight. (Since I have no fish in the tub, I stopped changing water after this day.)
Day 5: Ammonia 4 and other readings remained the same.
Day 6: All readings were the same as in Day 5. I tested for nitrate (wasn't expecting any but just for the heck of it) and found zero. Actually, nitrate was at 5, the lowest reading on the color scale, which I took to mean between 0-5).
Days 7-10: All readings steady. Final reading on Day 10 - ammonia 4, nitrite 0 (still), nitrate 0, pH steady at 8, KH and GH steady at 4 dh.
I have several questions. First, since the ammonia is still at 4 ppm, should I add any more? My thinking is I would add more once I detect nitrite and further reduction in ammonia. Second, the water is at room temperature (~20 C). I have not added a heater for safety reasons (just didn't want to leave a heater in a rubber tub unattended). I know that higher temperature will speed up bacteria growth, but can the bacteria grow at room temperature? It's fine with me if it takes a bit longer as long as it will get there eventually. Lastly, is there anything else that I can or should do to help the process? Suggestions would be most welcome.
My current (temporary) setup includes: Fluval 304, 28g Rubbermaid tub, couple plants (one's a Java moss; the other is unknown to me). I though I would start the cycling with this setup while I am shopping around for a tank. I bought the 304 anticipating the purchase of a 40-50g tank. By the time I get the tank, I can just transfer the filter and plants over. The cycling could be complete by then or at least not have long to go.
What I have done so far (it's been 10 days):
Day 1: I added ammonia and some fish food (to let it rot). Readings two hours later were ammonia 3, nitrite 0, pH 9, KH 4 dh, GH 4 dh
Day 2: Readings were ammonia 3, nitrite 0, pH 9, KH and GH both at 4 dh. I added more ammonia to bump it up to 5 ppm.
Day 3-4: All readings stayed the same. On Day 4, I replaced about 2 g of the tub water with water that had been sitting overnight. (Since I have no fish in the tub, I stopped changing water after this day.)
Day 5: Ammonia 4 and other readings remained the same.
Day 6: All readings were the same as in Day 5. I tested for nitrate (wasn't expecting any but just for the heck of it) and found zero. Actually, nitrate was at 5, the lowest reading on the color scale, which I took to mean between 0-5).
Days 7-10: All readings steady. Final reading on Day 10 - ammonia 4, nitrite 0 (still), nitrate 0, pH steady at 8, KH and GH steady at 4 dh.
I have several questions. First, since the ammonia is still at 4 ppm, should I add any more? My thinking is I would add more once I detect nitrite and further reduction in ammonia. Second, the water is at room temperature (~20 C). I have not added a heater for safety reasons (just didn't want to leave a heater in a rubber tub unattended). I know that higher temperature will speed up bacteria growth, but can the bacteria grow at room temperature? It's fine with me if it takes a bit longer as long as it will get there eventually. Lastly, is there anything else that I can or should do to help the process? Suggestions would be most welcome.