Preferred way to cycle a new tank?

Well, I added plants, allowed it to cycle a while, added my goldfish for a couple days until nitrites came roaring in, and now he's back in the 5 gal and my tank is staying steady with a rather high level of nitrites. Been two, three days. Any idea how long this will last, with a number of plants in there (anacharis, java fern, anubias, dwarf sword/crypt, and nevilii crypt)? The added pond snails appear to still be alive as well.
 
As I've explained to Troy earlier, the silent cycle does depend on significant numbers of well-growing plants. How many actual plants have you got, and what lighting are you using? Bear in mind that they whole suggestion was based on the opening post being made in the plants forum and therefore assuming a serious planted tank.
 
I'm hoping for a more lushly planted tank in the future, but for now I can't afford it. The plants are spread out, but no, there aren't many of them. Also, 10,000K and..21 watts I think..
 
Ah. Only a few plants and half a watt per gallon. The silent method will not work for you. As I've explained, it only works for reasonably well planted tanks with reasonable light.
 
KarlTh said:
As I've explained to Troy earlier, the silent cycle does depend on significant numbers of well-growing plants. How many actual plants have you got, and what lighting are you using? Bear in mind that they whole suggestion was based on the opening post being made in the plants forum and therefore assuming a serious planted tank.
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this scenario is what I am talking about....folks idea of "significant numbers" of plants will not be the same as what you consider significant amounts.... or "I test occasionally" during the silent cycle. I gave a 1 stem per inch. senerio... weather you agree with that planting density or not...It gives the novice to the silent cycle method a hard #. or base line.... I try never to assume ones experience level no matter where they post their questions, it can lead to a critical misconceptions. Karl, by your posts I can see you are experienced in this technique...thats fine and I don't have a problem with the technic in itsself... I would caution however against vague standards...when suggesting a technique that may prove lethal to someone that may not have the experience levels as another.

Troy
 
Squeakfish said:
Well, I added plants, allowed it to cycle a while, added my goldfish for a couple days until nitrites came roaring in, and now he's back in the 5 gal and my tank is staying steady with a rather high level of nitrites. Been two, three days. Any idea how long this will last, with a number of plants in there (anacharis, java fern, anubias, dwarf sword/crypt, and nevilii crypt)? The added pond snails appear to still be alive as well.
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Squeakfish,

a couple of factors that you have to consider is... any N-bacteria used from any other source to help seed your new 40G? That will be a factor in the duration you are going to experience... We KNOW from your test results that you have good N-bacteria started or your N02 levels would not have come "roaring in". You now can begin testing for N02 levels...wait until your N02 levels drop within a 12 hrs period... once they do then you can KNOW that your take has cycled.... this is where most folks loose paientence... the Bacteria that consumes the N02 develop slower than the bacteria that consumes NH3/NH4. Now that you have a N-bacteria that has begun to consume your NH3/NH4 continue to "feed" them with NH3. Keep your levels around 2-3 ppms, don't want to starve them while you wait for the N-bacteria that feeds on N02 to develop. Your NH3/NH4 levels should continue to fall back every 12 hrs or so...Make sure you monitor this level and keep it about 2-3 ppm.
Keep us posted and we will be here to help if you need anything.

Troy
 
2-3 ppm of ammonia is potentially lethal, especially if the pH is above 7. The bacteria grow just as fast in 0.5 ppm as they do in 2-3 ppm, because what you're measuring is excess. Rabbits don't breed any faster if there are thousands of carrots they can't eat than if there are only hundreds.

Most people recommend 0.5ppm ammonia and nitrite as the maximum you should allow with fish in the tank.
 
Ah, I figured I didn't have enough light for the tank..
I'm confused as to what matters most, watts or K.
Also, how much should I actually have? And hopefully I will be getting more plants soon..discounts ftw..
 
Watts is what gives the strength, K is the color temperature. The number of watts gives the strength which is what matters as far as the strength of the light. Any K from 5000 to 10000 is fine.
2 watts a gallon is a good level to shoot for.
 
KarlTh said:
2-3 ppm of ammonia is potentially lethal, especially if the pH is above 7. The bacteria grow just as fast in 0.5 ppm as they do in 2-3 ppm, because what you're measuring is excess. Rabbits don't breed any faster if there are thousands of carrots they can't eat than if there are only hundreds.

Most people recommend 0.5ppm ammonia and nitrite as the maximum you should allow with fish in the tank.
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Agree that 2-3 ppm of NH3/NH4 is lethal to fish....He does not however have any in this tank at the moment. 2-3ppm is suffecient to "feed" the NH3 bacteria. Trying to maintain a .5 level is to difficult while one waits for N02 bacteria to develop in a "fishless" cycle.


Troy
 
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