Fishless cycle..am I on the right track?

shirlz

shirlz

AC Members
Jan 5, 2008
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Lancashire, UK
Have recently got a 200L deep tank and started a fishless cycle a week ago. After adding ammonia the reading went straight to 8ppm and it's still there. However, some nitrites have now started to show, the reading today being 0.25 ppm. Am I on the right track, now that nitrites are showing? My husband thinks it's a daft way of doing things 'cos we're going to have to wait so long before we add fish!
 
Seems like you're on your way. The ammonia looks a bit high to me: read some of the threads here about fishless cycling -- I think you want it at 4-5ppm, otherwise you risk shutting off the cycle.

"Daft." UK? Australia? :)
 
Using a good liquid test kit..? Keep dosing as needed to hold at 3-5 ppm...and your nitrites should continue to rise..
 
Should I do a water change then? If so, how much
 
50% water change. Test your water everyday add a quarter of what you Initially dosed when ammonia level gets low.
 
Thanks. Have done a 50% water change and just tested the water and it's still reading ammonia 8ppm! I'll do another 50% change tomorrow and see what that brings! Any further advice?
 
I'd do water changes until that ammonia was under 8 ppm. Sustained ammonia above 8 ppm can actually slow the cycle.
 
What kind of test kit are you using? A 50% water change should reduce the ammonia by 50%??
 
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