Unsure About Cycling [Archive]

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ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 02:28 AM

My tank has been running for almost 24 hours. I soaked used filter cartridges from my turtle tank filter in the water and dumped some fish flakes in. I am going to get some Pure Ammonia soon. The Ammonia levels read 0 ppm. The water is EXTREMELY cloudy and almost yellowish is this normal?

Shea

01-05-2009, 02:34 AM

I'm no expert but if you are planning on using pure ammonia for your fishless cycle i dont think you need to soak your turtle's filter or add food....

someone please correct me if i'm wrong.

Cameron

01-05-2009, 02:47 AM

yea soaking them might help a tad but not too much, should have ran the filter on the tank for a while to seed it. Im sure its yellowish cause of the food. Fish food isnt ammonia, bacteria turn it into ammonia then nitrities and trates...

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 02:54 AM

UPDATE Just tested the ammonia and it said 1 ppm! What should I do about the cloudy water will it go away?

dmagerl

01-05-2009, 03:06 AM

I just set up my tank and took 4 weeks to go through the cycle. For all those 4 weeks it was so cloudy it was sickening. I never thought it would clear up. But sure enough, at the end, when the ammonia levels started dropping, the tank turned crystal clear.

So hang in there, things do get better, but it sure tries your patience in the mean time.

Shea

01-05-2009, 03:06 AM

It needs to be a .25ppm

A 75% water change will get you there if your at 1ppm.

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 03:13 AM

Could the water change wait until around 4:00 P.M. tomorrow? What will getting it down to 0.25 do?

Shea

01-05-2009, 03:24 AM

It could but the ammonia levels might rise some more, just adjust your water change accordingly tomorrow......

If it gets to 2ppm a 50% water change will being it back down to 1ppm. Keep doing water changes as you need to (simple math).

Are you testing for nitrite as well?

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 03:26 AM

I didnt think the nitrite would show up yet but I can test it.

Shea

01-05-2009, 03:30 AM

I didnt think the nitrite would show up yet but I can test it.

You should notice levels of nitrite within a 24 hour period.

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 03:36 AM

The Nitrite is somewhere between 0 ppm and 0.25 ppm. So tomorrow all I have to do is a water change and check the Ammonia and Nitrite?

Shea

01-05-2009, 03:48 AM

The Nitrite is somewhere between 0 ppm and 0.25 ppm. So tomorrow all I have to do is a water change and check the Ammonia and Nitrite?

That is correct.

here's a link with lots of info on cycling with and without fish that you can read up on if you haven't already.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=5640

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 03:59 AM

Do I always do water changes when the Ammonia is at 1 ppm or above?

Shea

01-05-2009, 04:02 AM

Yes, you dont want ammonia.

Ammonia and nitrate are harmful to fish.. nitrate if in large amounts are harmful to fish as well. The only safe true way to combat against high levels of these is water changes.

ReptileLuver729

01-05-2009, 04:03 AM

Wont the Ammonia spike be a good thing though?

Northernguy

01-05-2009, 04:13 AM

Have you read the cycling section.http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=5640
You want to maintain 5ppm ammonia to start. You maintain this level till you see your ammonia drop drstically.This is when the nitrites start.You still have to add about half the ammonia to keep a steady 5ppm.
Please read the link and try to follow it.

Let us know if you have any probs!:22: