Fishless Cycling Levels

HI there! I'm doing my first fishless cycle and I just wanted to know (from some more experienced fish keepers) if my levels are good for this point in my cycle.
Some info:
5 Gallon Fluval Spec
Temp: About 80 (auto switch off heater)
BB: Dr. Tim's One and Only and Ammonium Chloride

I did just add two marimo balls and an Annubias Nana plant yesterday, but I checked my levels that night (after they had been in there for a while) and the ammonia and everything was still what it had been that morning.


Day 1: Added One and only and Ammonia
Day 2:
Ammonia: 2.0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
pH: 7.6

Day 3:
Ammonia: 2.0 ppm
Nitrite: 2.0 ppm
pH: 7.0

Day 4:
Ammonia: 2.0
Nitrite: 5.0
pH: 6.8



I'll keep posting as my cycle goes on (because I'm nervous that I won't know if something is wrong with my cycle since I've never done this before). Are the readings so far normal?

 

Yes, it takes few days for the bacteria to establish. Good luck!

 

Yes, it takes few days for the bacteria to establish. Good luck!

Thank you so much!

 

I am curious as to why your PH seems to be dropping each day. From 7.6 down to 6.8 over a span of 3 days is quite a bit. From all the reading I have done I understand that a really low PH (6.0 or lower) can stall a cycle.

The PH can be stabilized by adding crushed coral to either your substrate or preferably in a bio bag in your filter housing. This method of stabilizing the PH is preferred over adding any kind of chemicals.

Hopefully someone that has used crushed coral with success will stop by and advise about the proper amount to use.

 

Could it be because of adding the plants?

 

Could it be because of adding the plants?

I don't believe plants would affect the PH.

I've never used any kind of BB in a bottle so I suppose this could be normal for the one you are using but I would be keeping a close eye on it.

 

Do I need to watch it or should I go out and get crushed coral immediately? I thought that was my pH leveling out. But again, I've never done this before.

 

Do you have driftwood? Mine is leeching tannins, which is the look I'm going for, but it lowers pH. I added about a cup of crushed coral in a mesh bag and tucked it behind the driftwood to hide it. Raised my pH from 6.6 to 7.5

 

I don't have any driftwood in the tank

 

Do I need to watch it or should I go out and get crushed coral immediately? I thought that was my pH leveling out. But again, I've never done this before.

Have you run tests on your source water? It help to know what you are starting with and the numbers on the water you are using for the water changes. It really would be a good idea to have some crushed coral on hand. It doesn't work instantly but it will keep your PH stable.

We do need to know the PH of your tap water though.

 

Do I just fill up the bucket I typically use to fill the tank with the water I've been using and test it or do I have to let it sit overnight? I'm worried my cycle is going to stall.

 

Do I just fill up the bucket I typically use to fill the tank with the water I've been using and test it or do I have to let it sit overnight? I'm worried my cycle is going to stall.

I would just get a glass of it. And run the test right away, then again in a few hours and one more time 24 hours later. It will give you a base line as to what to expect. I would write down and save these number in case something changes in the future.

I really am sorry that I got you nervous about your cycle. You are very early in the process so please don't get scared. Catching possible problems early is a good thing. this may not even be a problem but if it is it has been caught early in the cycle and can be fixed.

 

Could it be he has nitrates already and that's lowering his ph?

 

Could it be he has nitrates already and that's lowering his ph?

I don't think so. He actually doesn't have nitrates but does have nitrites.

 

Yeah I just tested nitrates and there aren't any.

My tap water has a pH of 7.6

 

My tap water has a pH of 7.6

It makes sense that your tank started at 7.6 then. It is possible that the BB you are using is causing the PH in the tank to lower. If it were me I would ask Google or the company that makes your product if this is normally what happens when using it. It is very possible that it is totally normal. I would be getting concerned if it continues to drop each day though since a very low PH can prevent the completion of your cycle.

I would go ahead and run the PH tests again at a few hours and 24 hours to see how much it drops over time.

Adding the crushed coral isn't going to affect your cycle and should help stabilize the PH though.

 

I just retested the pH and looked at the colors in the daylight and it looks more like my pH today is 7.2
Sorry for the misinformation, everyone.
Should I still invest in crushed coral ASAP or is this ok?

 

I just retested the pH and looked at the colors in the daylight and it looks more like my pH today is 7.2
Sorry for the misinformation, everyone.
Should I still invest in crushed coral ASAP or is this ok?

It is easy to make a mistake on the colors. They can look so different in different light. I would just continue doing what you are doing right now.

I have a feeling when you test your source water tomorrow you will find that it too has gone down to 7.2. If it stabilizes there you have nothing to worry about.

It looks like we might have gotten worried when there was nothing to be worried about.

 

I appreciate all the help nevertheless. Thank you everyone!

 

I appreciate all the help nevertheless. Thank you everyone!

You are very welcome. Please keep us updated on your progress.

 

I will!

 

HI there. So I've checked my levels again and they were ammonia: 2.0 ppm. Nitrite: 5.0 ppm and pH: 7.2.
These are identical to my last levels and on the website for dr. Tim's one and only it says to add more ammonium chloride once ammonia dips below 1.0 ppm. But it still hasn't and I'm not sure if I should add it anyway or wait it out. Any help is appreciated.