Fishless Cycling

[Slaphppy7]

I've done 3 fishless cycles, all with the Ace ammonia, and they all too right at 3 weeks.

Maybe you are onto something about the Texas water, lol

[OnTheFly]

I've done 3 fishless cycles, all with the Ace ammonia, and they all too right at 3 weeks.

Maybe you are onto something about the Texas water, lol

I've done 11 and have virtually the same experience. 17-21 days every time. I don't even pretend to explain it scientifically but it is pretty much a given if your water has some minerals you are ten times more likely to have an easy cycle. I base that on 100 people crying for help because their soft water doesn't want to cycle fast, and if they sneeze on the tank it mini-cycles. Where do the bacteria strains exist naturally ? In the water or the air? That would seemingly be part two of the riddle.

Back on topic, if I ever purchased bacteria I would research the heck out of my supplier or it seems you are highly likely to waste your money. And they can easily blame it on you if you try to get a refund.

[Rocksor]

hard water has carbonates from calcium and magnesium, and the cycle process requires carbonates for it to complete. This is why people with soft water and low kh (less than 4 degrees) can experience ph swings within a span of 1 week. The cycle process erodes their KH until it is nothing, therfore, they no longer have a ph buffer.

What I havent seen mentioned from fishless cycles is the advantages of hard water over fishless cycles in softer water.

[OnTheFly]

Hardness = high PH around here but I understand that's not necessarily the case everywhere.

[Rocksor]

there are some homes near farming communities with ph above 8 but very soft water because of the lack of hardness in the water

[discusluv]

Just registered .25 nitrites! Yippee!!

[OnTheFly]

Just registered .25 nitrites! Yippee!!

Big deal, Slappy and I got that before the Ace Hardware ammonia dose hits the bottom of the tank. You need to move lol.

[discusluv]

Big deal, Slappy and I got that before the Ace Hardware ammonia dose hits the bottom of the tank. You need to move lol.

Brat! Quit bragging!

[discusluv]

Now it will probably take me a month to get nitrates :(

[OnTheFly]

Brat! Quit bragging!

My bragging ends the moment the cycle is complete. I can't keep a pack of neons alive for a week in my water. All kidding aside I truly do wish I fully understood how cycle times can be so different. I seriously get nitrites in about 24 hours while others wait a month after juicing their tank with bottled bacteria.