Fishless Cycle 10 Gallon Update

[imma24]

Amen! Sticking with one thread allows us to just scroll through the past posts to see how you're progressing with the same tank - that way we all get the same picture - the more threads you start, the more people start wondering whether it's a new tank and then discover it isn't.

[Shidohari]

I promise i'm not trying to confuse you....

However readings for ammo are still looking more like .25 than ZERO so i think i may be able to add 3 drops of ammo tomorrow night, this time i'm actually waiting til it drops to zero as in Zero is what the color reads under direct light. (initial dose was 6 drops) NitrItes are still holding at .25 at this time.

[imma24]

Yup - you wait until the ammonia reads 0

[Shidohari]

This morning's reading

AMMO ZERO
NITRITES ZERO
NITRATES 10 or 20 (that color shading is so bleeding close)

Tank temperture 83.5F (bumped it up when restarting the cycle about a week ago

From this i think i could pull a WC tonight to bring down the trates, then redose with 3 drops of ammo to feed the bacteria until i get the fish correct? What is said in here will affect what i do this evening when i get home as far as WC goes...I think if the go light is given a 75 percent WC is what i should be doing correct?

Please advise.

[Cermet]

Before adding any live creatures a near 100% water change is what you want to do - besides the nitrates, any trace issues from the contaminates in the ammonia might be an issue (maybe not but why take chances - besides, a 100% W/C is a small increase over a 75% W/C but the results are very different - all trace contaminates are removed.)

[imma24]

+1 - that isn't a bad idea - with a smaller tank like that this shouldn't be a problem - your nitrates are safe at this point but I agree that if you need to dose more ammonia until you get fish, it's better to change a large amount of water before adding fish.

Congrats!

[Shidohari]

So should i just dose with ammo now and not do the WC yet? I probably won't be adding fish for about another week or two weather here stinks right now and i won't get paid til next week?

or do i need to WC then dose with ammo

[imma24]

Keep feeding ammonia if you won't be getting fish for another week - you need to feed the bacteria that have grown in the filter otherwise they'll all die! No water change needed until you are all ready to add fish!

[Lady Hobbs]

Right on Andrea. Bacteria is a living thing and needs to be fed or it will die. Do as Andrea said and you'll be OK.

[Shidohari]

Perfect three drops of ammonia dosing coming right up.

Then the big massive water change is the day of the fish adding or should it be a day before with an additional partial WC the day of fish?