First fishless cycle

erinw621

erinw621

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Apr 23, 2009
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I was just hoping someone could clear things up for me at this stage in the cycling!

I'm fishless cycling, and the ammonia is at .25, nitrite is at 5, and nitrate is between between 5 and 10 ( I have a hard time reading the tests sometimes!)

Anyway, I guess what I want to know is, what do I do: no water changes, just leave it alone?
Thanks in advance!
 
No advice??? :(

Just anxious because I can make a trip to the fish store this weekend!
 
Ok.. I figured that since there were nitrates I could do water changes, but I wasn't sure! So, once I do the WC and my ammonia and nitrites are in check... I can get my fish :)

thanks for the help!
 
No need to change the water with fishless cycling, you'll actually slow the cycle down by removing ammonia and nitrites that feed the bacteria you're trying to grow.

Keep adding an ammonia source to keep it around 1-2ppm.

Wait until your nitrite starts reading 0ppm again and your nitrates start increasing.

When your tank goes from 1-2ppm ammonia to 0ppm ammonia in a 24hr period with 0ppm nitrite and a high ppm of nitrate then you're fully cycled.

Do a 90% water change and you're ready to add full stock of fish.

With a 5ppm nitrite reading you're prolly only days away from finishing the cycle, typically getting to that point seems to take the longest.
 
rdx1555 said:
No need to change the water with fishless cycling, you'll actually slow the cycle down by removing ammonia and nitrites that feed the bacteria you're trying to grow.

Keep adding an ammonia source to keep it around 1-2ppm.

Wait until your nitrite starts reading 0ppm again and your nitrates start increasing.

When your tank goes from 1-2ppm ammonia to 0ppm ammonia in a 24hr period with 0ppm nitrite and a high ppm of nitrate then you're fully cycled.

Do a 90% water change and you're ready to add full stock of fish.

With a 5ppm nitrite reading you're prolly only days away from finishing the cycle, typically getting to that point seems to take the longest.
Click to expand...
oh my bad..i forgot it was fishless..i was attracted by the picture hehe :)
 
OH OF COURSE!
I'm so anxious I changed the water already... haha. It's only a little five gallon though, I can wait it out some more. Hopefully no harm done.

Thanks for helping me
 
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