Quick question about fishless cycle

[holbritter]

I'm doing the fishless for my 15 gallon. What I don't understand is why I would put ammonia in every day, if there is nothing to eat it up yet.

I've put enough in to reach the 5 mark. Then I put the same amount in the next day. So it's reading over the 5. If I keep putting it in every day, will the bacteria ever eat it all?

Sorry to be dense, but I'm not getting it. :confused:

[Chrona]

I'm doing the fishless for my 15 gallon. What I don't understand is why I would put ammonia in every day, if there is nothing to eat it up yet.

I've put enough in to reach the 5 mark. Then I put the same amount in the next day. So it's reading over the 5. If I keep putting it in every day, will the bacteria ever eat it all?

Sorry to be dense, but I'm not getting it. :confused:

Yes, bacteria growth is exponential, so no matter how much you put in, eventually enough bacteria will grow to eat it all up (although extreme amounts will inhibit growth). Just give it some time. The bacteria is always present to some degree, but since growth is exponential, it's really slow at the start but picks up very fast (at least the ammonia->nitrite bacteria) hence the ensuing spike.

[Cichlid_Man]

Hi all.
Chrona is right.
Also, by putting it in everyday, it sort of copies what fish do in there everyday. This will help your bio load. You will be able to add more fish at one time.

I used raw shrimp when I cycled. I didn't want to deal with putting stuff in everday.
6 shrimp in a media nag near the water flow and I had ammonia readings after 3 days. Cycled after 9 days.
Good luck!

[sergo]

it should take you about 14-18 days to complete it if you follow the guidelines on fishless cycling. do tests every day and write down what you have so you can actually see what's going on in the tank.

i actually split up my dose and did it twice a day.

[holbritter]

Ok....sounds good. I'll keep on keeping on :)

[Lady Hobbs]

Also, you add only enough each day to bring the level to 5. Tomorrow if you should check and the level is still at 4. you would add a small amount to bring to the 5. again.

[holbritter]

UH OH! I've done messed up :(

I've been adding the same amount each day.

Also, I just saw on another thread that the water temp is important. I...uhm...er..don't have a heater in the tank yet (I just ordered one) does this mean it's all been for naught?
And...the big question....did I kill the bacteria on my ceramic rings that I put in from the other tank?

[sergo]

i did the same thing until i started getting nitrites then i cut my dose in half but still did it twice a day.

[Chrona]

UH OH! I've done messed up :(

I've been adding the same amount each day.

Also, I just saw on another thread that the water temp is important. I...uhm...er..don't have a heater in the tank yet (I just ordered one) does this mean it's all been for naught?
And...the big question....did I kill the bacteria on my ceramic rings that I put in from the other tank?

Don't worry about it, the 5ppm is a minimum. It takes an extraordinary amount of ammonia to kill bacteria.

You need a heater. Bacteria activity goes up a lot at higher temps. With no heater it will take much much longer to cycle.

[holbritter]

Don't worry about it, the 5ppm is a minimum. It takes an extraordinary amount of ammonia to kill bacteria.

You need a heater. Bacteria activity goes up a lot at higher temps. With no heater it will take much much longer to cycle.


The heater should be here next week sometime. So....I didn't kill the bacteria with cold water? Just made it dormant kinda?

[Chrona]

The heater should be here next week sometime. So....I didn't kill the bacteria with cold water? Just made it dormant kinda?

Yep, the heater will get the cycle started. There probably isn't that much in there though, since you were cycling cold.

[holbritter]

OK. Thanks! :)

[holbritter]

Woohoo! My heater came today! Didn't expect it till sometime next week :)

I'm cookin now :19: