http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/ The place to discuss cycling en Sat, 25 May 2013 14:08:37 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/ http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112420&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 00:46:50 GMT So I have a buddy who has an established aquarium and he is giving me some of his bacteria.
He's giving me a rock and he said he can gimme a jug of water. I read somewhere though that the water doesn't actually contain bacteria is this true?
Also what is the best way to transfer this since I have to go from a house to a house. It's only about 15 mins away, is this enough to kill bacteria? ]]> Cycling Impulse155 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112420 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112328&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 18:02:59 GMT Just to summarize-I am trying to determine if I am at the end of the cycle on my 20 gallon long using what I am sure is "pure" household ammonia and no fish. My ammo and nitrite levels remain at zero. Since I dont know how to attach a picture of the color of the water in the API test tube when I test for nitrates, the best way I can describe it is that it is almost identical to the shade of 0 ppm on the ammonia scale. it is not the bright yellow of 0 ppm on the nitrate scale and it certainly is not the shade of orange indicating 5.0 ppm on the nitrate scale. I understand completely that I am testing for nitrates but the closest color match is idenical to 0 ppm for ammonia. So, any help interpreting if there has been a "slight" increase in my nitrates and if the cycle is finished would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Cycling uihawk9868 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112328 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112320&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 03:41:25 GMT Ok I need some advice. I've been working on my patio "pond", and I think it's done. My dilemma is that the Api test looks like .25 or 0 depending on the light. The mirrored went up but now are at 0, nitrates are at 20. Friday I'm doing a 50% water chg, adding prime. Do you think it's cycled? Can, should I add my 4 goldfish soon....safely? ]]> Cycling Mommabear http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112320 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112309&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 20:30:11 GMT Been cycling for... four weeks now? Give or take. Well into the nitrite part of the cycle.

The whole cycle so far I've been using Tetra Aquasafe as I bought a 5litre bottle of the stuff for not a lot of money. Just today swapped over to Seachem Prime as it worked out a lot cheaper in terms of the volume of water it could treat for the price.

Cycle was fine this morning. Had nitrites, done the usual 90% water change. Had nitrites at 3pm for the next water change, this time I used Prime instead of Aquasafe. Tested the water at 9pm, just now. Zero nitrites. Nothing. And a really mild reading of ammonia. Between 0 and 0.25, though more edging to the 0. I've looked over the internet and I can't work out what's gone wrong.

I've not changed anything apart from using the Prime. Everything was the same as normal, took the water from the bathroom, used a digital thermometer to make sure it was the same temperature as the tank. Added the conditioner when the bucket was about halfway full so it had time to fully spread out. I do the water change in two goes, 25 litres a time. Added 1ml of Prime each time I filled the bucket - as per the bottles instructions that should have been enough to treat 80litres of water. The second bucket I used a tad more as well just to cover myself so potentially it was treatment for around 120 litres. Aquarium is only 64 litres as it is, so it can't be chlorine causing this can it?

I've also shot myself in the foot as I've not been testing for ammonia after getting a nitrite reading. Just checked now when nitrite was reading zero.

Can swapping conditioner kill off the media? I'm stumped as to what's gone wrong.

Thanks in advance as always. ]]> Cycling Sligg http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112309 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112267&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 22:58:32 GMT I have since bought an API Freshwater Master kit and graduated up from the test strips. one day ago I did about a 25-30 percent water change... I have since bought an API Freshwater Master kit and graduated up from the test strips. one day ago I did about a 25-30 percent water change because (all these water parameters are from the API kit) my nitrates were about 120. After water change, for two consecutive days, they are 5 ppm. Ammo is 0 and nitrites are 0. I know 15 days is short for a cycle, but I'm thinking the cycle's finished and it fish time. Other points of view please ? ]]> Cycling uihawk9868 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112267 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112259&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 14:18:30 GMT Hello all, quick question for you guys. So I'm about a month and a half into my first tank and I rushed it horribly. I never let the tank cycle. I recently had an aquarium buddy come over and give me advice/help me out. I am now adding bacteria from a kit to try and cheat the cycle.

I added my first dosage on Saturday and my ammonia is just starting to go down (my main tank is at 1-2ppm down from the "danger/lethal" level). I'm supposed to be adding more today. My question is whether I should be doing a water change or not. I'm not sure if it would help decrease the ammonia or if it would disrupt the bacteria that are settling in. Any quick advice for me?

Thanks (I'm learning, I promise). ]]> Cycling Krispyz http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112259 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112249&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 21:08:41 GMT 8 days in..cycleing 29g with 3 mollies and a thing of live grass(forget its name)....want to replace the fake rock formation with driftwood and adda... 8 days in..cycleing 29g with 3 mollies and a thing of live grass(forget its name)....want to replace the fake rock formation with driftwood and adda few more plants...good idea or not?..also if its ok to do what plants do i add ]]> Cycling rodzilla http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112249 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112240&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 02:41:56 GMT On March 8th i set up my 30G aquarium and started cycling with fish food. (I've looked everywhere for ammonia, no where sells it)
After a week of adding fish food i had an ammonia spike, then a nitrite spike followed, with nitrates.

I did a water change because the numbers were too high to read and i also forgot to add filter media from my 6 year old 20G so i added sponge to the 30G's filter. (I should've hung the new filter on the 20G, but i never thought of it). So i went and did an impulsive buy and got a pleco when i was finally thinking i was almost done of my cycle, having ammonia at 0 and nitrite 0.2 and nitrates at 25. (He's been very healthy since i've got him, his colors got darker because in the pet store he looked really stressed).

Ever since i've gotten the pleco i've been doing weekly gravel vacuuming because he's a pooping machine, and the ammonia is still at 0, nitrite is faint purple really close to clear, and nitrates 10 after every water change.

So, my problem is the nitrites WILL NOT MOVE at all. So what do i do from here?!

Tomorrow i'm picking up driftwood for the guy, and on Friday i'm picking up 4 new fast growing plants to go along with my anubias. As well, on Friday i wanted to switch the substrate to sand for the plants and because i can't stand the gravel and the size of it. How would i go about this?

Put the plants and pleco in a bucket, vacuum the gravel first (so poop isn't flying everywhere. also he has 1 feeding place so there is no leftover food after i vacuum) then take it out, put it all back in bags of pantyhose, wash the pool filter sand really damn good, put it in the tank, put the bags of gravel back in the tank for the bacteria then fill the water back up?

Does that sound good? ]]> Cycling cbarb http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112240 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112237&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 02:10:54 GMT Here are my new water parameters based on the new API Freshwater Master Test Kit I got today. Reminders-20 gal. Very lighted planted w/ live plants,... Here are my new water parameters based on the new API Freshwater Master Test Kit I got today. Reminders-20 gal. Very lighted planted w/ live plants, fishless. Tonight ammo =0, nitrites are API light blue and therefore 0. Nitrates are almost off the chart at about 120 ppm. I believe that means a water change is coming. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks all. ]]> Cycling uihawk9868 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112237 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112225&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 13:22:05 GMT where do you guys and gals read your water test at inside outside under "led" or what? seems the shade of green in ammoina can vary depends on lighting ]]> Cycling rodzilla http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112225 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112203&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 14:04:50 GMT well day 3 and i got my water test kit in mail yesterday. I changed water last 2 days because i had no test kitbut today ammonia levels look pretty... well day 3 and i got my water test kit in mail yesterday. I changed water last 2 days because i had no test kitbut today ammonia levels look pretty good. i would sayless than .25 but more than .00 so i was gonna skip the water change today.(also hoping the water python i ordered shows up today for tomorrows water change.

am i on the right track? or should i change water no matter what?



test kit came with 2 nitrate testing bottles NO2 and NO3 i used the NO2 and it came back 0.

did i do the right thing?

my test kit is API freshwater master test kit if that helps. ]]> Cycling rodzilla http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112203 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112174&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 18:53:39 GMT I screwed up and started cycleing with 3 mollies in 29gal. tank(new hobby 4 me). I did a 50% water change today and i only put clorinater in for... I screwed up and started cycleing with 3 mollies in 29gal. tank(new hobby 4 me).
I did a 50% water change today and i only put clorinater in for the 15 gallons of new water.
was this wrong?
I have ordered a deecent water test kit hoping it comes by tomorrow. water seems clouldy but the 3 molliesseem active. also have some live grass in there.

Any tips would be apperciated. thank you in advance for your time ]]> Cycling rodzilla http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112174 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112137&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 22:59:12 GMT Hello all! I currently have a 36g fully cycled and stocked, and I just ordered a 65g. I would like to transfer everything to the new tank filters,... Hello all! I currently have a 36g fully cycled and stocked, and I just ordered a 65g. I would like to transfer everything to the new tank filters, fish, plants, decor, and water. Since I am almost doubling my tank size, will the new tank be considered cycledsince there will only be 36 gallons of cycled water? Will the beneficial bacteria buildup on the decor and in the filter be enough? Is it safe for my fish to do this? Thanks! ]]> Cycling bluemoon http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112137 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112129&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 13:58:07 GMT according to my API ammonia (only) test kit and although I know the Tetra test strips are apparently worthless, its all I can afford right now and... according to my API ammonia (only) test kit and although I know the Tetra test strips are apparently worthless, its all I can afford right now and they are reading zero on nitrites and 40-60 ppm on nitrates. I am thinking i am at the end of the cycle and happy days are here again. i am also a little leery because this is only about day 10 and I did this without an aquarium heater, just at room temperature. Is the next step a water change and if so, how much ? Thank you ]]> Cycling uihawk9868 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112129 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112095&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 03:01:29 GMT I checked my water parameters tonight on my 20 gallon and. after getting readings of 4 ppm of ammo., because I didn't know I didn't need that much. my ammo. is ZERO. ,At first the API Kit showed the water clear then yellow
. I am just stunned ! My nitrites are still 10 + and nitrates 40. I dosed the tank up to about 2 ppm ammo now. When it comes time for a water change to bring the nitrates down. how much of a water change? Thanks ]]> Cycling uihawk9868 http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=112095