DE88ROX

Its been about 2 ½ weeks now since I started my fishless cycle. I was able to obtain the ammonia I needed at my local Ace Hardware. (in the house hold cleaning section. Just n FYI because I know some on here are unable to locate it) As of this posting my readings are as follows-

Ammo - 1.5
Trite - 1.0
Trate - 5.0

Im assuming that the cycle has already begun. But I guess my question is this. Do I do a water change during the cycle, or do I wait and do one when my tank has cycled and im ready to add fish. I am adding water as needed due to evaporation.

I'm sure this has been covered numurous times on here but I seem to be getting mixed info depending on what post and web site I read.

Anythoughts would be greatly appriciated.

KyWildFish

I wouldnt do a water change till the tank is cycled. You will want to do a water change and get the "Trate" way down before you add any fish though. Remember to add fish slowly too. It allows the system to adjust, you may already know this but reminders dont hurt.

CHoffman

No need to do a waterchange untill after it has cycled...How long after adding ammonia did you get these readings?

Dozey

I will second that opinion. Since you don’t have fish in the tank there is no need for water changes. Once the tank has cycled there is a good chance that your nitrates will be very high and a large water change will be needed then.

If you are planning a community tank of small fish (tetras, guppies, etc) three or four fish at a time is a good plan.

DE88ROX

First of all, thanks to all of you that replied. I appreciate the help and knowledge. This site "ROX"

To answer your question, I added about six drops 2 days ago, I think. (i know...I really should be more keeping better records of all this. lol )

But after I posted my question, I added 4 drops of ammonia and let it mix in with the rest of the water for about an hour or so. I just did another ammo test prior to answering your post and the levels are around the 2.0 range.

The colors for 2.0 and 4.0 on my API test kit are really close. The wife swears im color blind. :-)

DE88ROX

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I was under the assumption that a nitrate level of 5.0 was ok. I know that the lower the number the better. From what I have been reading on here, ammo and trite levels should be 0 and trate level should be 5.0 or less.

Im confused.

Nate McFin

Your Nitrates won't be high until the end of the cycle once the nitrites and ammonia are 0. They will most likely be 60 or above. Then its time for a water change to get the nitrates below 20 PPM.
Take it from me...good records are VERY helpful so you can trace back to find any problems. Also don't try to mess with it too much it will only drive you crazy. Mine has been cycling for well over a month and I am still waiting.
Patience is a virtue with cycling. Good luck and welcome to fishlore!

DE88ROX

I know what you mean. I have this very nice 29 gallon tank with crystal clear water, Plants and substrate BUT NO FISH!!!!! grrrrrrrrrr. LOL

Im using the time to reseacrh what kind of fish I want to stock it with. I know im going to get some cardinal tetra's other than that, im not sure.

Thanks for the advise!

CWO4GUNNER

Although I totally agree that a community of fish should never be cycled, I still think cycling without at least one or two hardy fish sets up a fishless cycle with no real bio load so that even after cycling the tank is essentially still not ready and beginners are caught off guard by spiking ammonia levels. The only way I will ever do a fish less cycle is if I can get someones used aquarium water change to fill the tank 50% also a dirty filter squeeze and some old filter media. I believe this would not only cut the cycle period down but also provide more capacity to stock the tank with more then just a couple fish every month after a fishless cycle IMHO.

agabr123

actually the used tank water won't help very much at all, there is hardly any good bacteria in it. the filter squeeze won't help either, as the bacteria won't just fall off of it. IMO the best thing is seeded filter media and seeded gravel as well, as about 99% of the bacteria is in the media and on the gravel/decorations

jdhef

The ammonia acts as the bioload in a fishless cycle.

docjr03

How many plants and what kind of substrate? they can affect your readings as well...

DE88ROX

Well maybe I should have been more clear on the plants. Although I do have "plants" they are of the plastic varity. I really considering adding some live ones. Not sure.

The substrate is your basic aquarium gravel.

You can see my tank in my profile.

Redvelvetsword

I think I would recomend purchasing a piece of driftwood from an established tank and/or using gravel from and established tank in a mesh bag. placing one or both of those in your tank will help in the cycle process.

DE88ROX

I have thought about getting some driftwood to lay across the botom.

I checked the ammonia level this afternoon and it was down to .10. I put in 4 drops of ammo and will check it later tonight. I think im getting to the point where it should start to process any ammonia load in that coveted 8-12 hour window.

Nate McFin

I would be careful adding anything like driftwood without knowing what the pH of the tank is. I am doing a Cycle battling dropping PH and I can tell you that the cycle seems to be at its best above 6.8. Slows significantly at 6.4 and seems to stop at 6.0
Driftwood will lower the PH of the tank. So while it is great to add decorations, gravel, media etc. be careful with the PH or you will find yourself fighting a losing battle!

bryan87

you are correct a low ph will slow your cycle. but you could always add some rock to raise the ph to balance it...