Author Topic: Cycling test (Read 3675 times) 24 replies

barneyadi · « **on:** April 14, 2021, 07:43:45 PM »

As i have my new tank i have decided to do an experiment with a item that suggests it can do a full cycle within days. Not that i believe it but even if it helps slightly or could be useful as a bacteria top up after a clean or in an emergency might be worth knowing.

Not using any fish, but will let you know how things go.

chris213 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2021, 12:30:05 PM »

What product is it ,
I have used one called tetra easy start or something like that and had mixed results with it but this was a few years ago

barneyadi · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2021, 02:55:53 PM »

Quote from: chris213 on April 15, 2021, 12:30:05 PM

What product is it ,
I have used one called tetra easy start or something like that and had mixed results with it but this was a few years ago

Hi Chris

It's something called Fritzzyme 7. It's big in america supposedly. Just taking the opportunity to try and see what it does. Tried a tip i found online to add sand to a tank whilst filled with water without washing the sand beforehand and that has worked.

barneyadi · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2021, 04:54:43 PM »

Took some base readings today. Of course o Ammonia or Nitrites, 0-5ppm Nitrates (nearer 0 than 5). PH is 7.4 area. Going to add the fritz stuff at 1830 , then 3ppm ammonia in a 90 litre tank, which i believe is 2.7ml worth of ammonia.
Will check same time tomorrow to see what has happened.

barneyadi · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2021, 06:42:43 PM »

So done my first check tonight.

Ammonia 2ppm
Nitrites 0ppm

So what does this tell me? To be honest i dont know. 1 ppm of ammonia seems to have been used, so is that showing me that the bacteria is starting to do its job? You could say that the tank has bacteria to handle 1 ppm of ammonia, but i would be nervous at the moment.

But this is a test, will see what happens over next few days and let you know how i get on.

Hampalong · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2021, 07:26:53 PM »

If bacteria have used it there will be an increase in nitrite or nitrate.

barneyadi · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2021, 08:06:10 PM »

Tested nitrates and seem a slightly darker colour than yesterday, but will wait an dsee what happens in next couple of days.

barneyadi · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2021, 07:03:09 PM »

Ok, so no change today, so doesn't look like it can be used as an instant cycle. In fairness some testers have said upto a week so will keep testing and see what happens.

I also have a small 29 litre tank i have transferred some seeded media into it and does 1ppm ammonia, will check tomorrow to see what has happened.

barneyadi · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2021, 06:31:35 PM »

No change today. I am wondering if i have used too much ammonia as rewatching the videos it is suggested a small number of fish are added after dosing, who would probably produce nowhere near 3ppm ammonia. So what i have done is does another tank, a 29l one with 1ppm ammonia and added the bacteria does, and also added a does to the 90 litre tank, to see if it changes anything. Will let you know how things go.

barneyadi · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2021, 02:16:32 PM »

So my 90 litre tank still seems slow, no change in ammonia levels.

However my 29 litre tank is different. I did put some seeded media in it on Saturday with 1ppm ammonia. As of yesterday no change, so added a does of this FritzZyme stuff. Just checked now, 20 hours later and i have 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm Nitrite and 10-20ppm nitrates, my tap water being 0-5ppm nitrites. @Sue would you suggest the tank has cycled, or should i add another 1ppm ammonia and check same time tomorrow just to make sure.

Sue · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2021, 03:54:28 PM »

Being me, I would add another 1 ppm, but I am over cautious. Most people probably wouldn't bother.

If you get fish, keep an eye on the levels. This always a good idea with a new tank to make sure.

barneyadi · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2021, 06:39:14 PM »

Thanks Sue

Yes, added 1ppm ammonia just to double check as not ready for a fish just yet.

barneyadi · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2021, 01:13:59 PM »

@Sue Ammonia all gone again in the 29 litre tank. Not sure if the additive i used or the seeded media, erring towards the additive as when i put the seeded media in, nothing happened for two days.

However the 90 litre tank still not moved, but will keep testing and see how things go.

Sue · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2021, 09:12:59 AM »

Different tanks do different things even when we treat them exactly the same. It may be the 90 litre is just being slow to start.

Hampalong · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2021, 03:13:27 PM »

The 90 is bound to take a little longer as there’s no mature media in it. Mature media means instant filter.

barneyadi · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2021, 02:07:00 PM »

Quote from: Hampalong on April 22, 2021, 03:13:27 PM

The 90 is bound to take a little longer as there’s no mature media in it. Mature media means instant filter.

I put mature media in the 29 litre and that took 3 days and adding some of the fritz zyme stuff to instant cycle.

Tested the 90 litre today and although ammonia seems the same, i now have nitrites, so thats an interesting sign

barneyadi · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2021, 02:48:41 PM »

@Sue After a little advice. My ammonia seems steady and have nitrites and nitrates. Ammonia hasnt changed for a few days so wondering where nitrites and nitrates have come from. Any ideas?

Sue · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2021, 03:54:50 PM »

Every 1 ppm ammonia added to the tank is turned into 2.7 ppm nitrite and 3.6 ppm nitrate. So ammonia only has to drop very slightly to see a larger increase in nitrite and nitrate.

Has the ammonia colour changed at all, maybe not even enough to drop down a colour band on the chart? And what is the nitrate level in your tap water.

When you post photos of test results, could you include the chart in the photo as well so we have something to compare the tubes to. Different screens can display colours differently.

chris213 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2021, 04:49:40 PM »

Something I have found with the api test kit I have been using for many years is that the colour chart is also very hard to get a good idea between the 0 and 0.25 ammonia levels ,for this reason I test the tap water and bottle water periodicly so I can see what the colour spectrum is with them .thow I would say looking at yours it looks far higher than 0.25 for now

barneyadi · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2021, 06:41:43 PM »

Quote from: Sue on April 24, 2021, 03:54:50 PM

Every 1 ppm ammonia added to the tank is turned into 2.7 ppm nitrite and 3.6 ppm nitrate. So ammonia only has to drop very slightly to see a larger increase in nitrite and nitrate.

Has the ammonia colour changed at all, maybe not even enough to drop down a colour band on the chart? And what is the nitrate level in your tap water.

When you post photos of test results, could you include the chart in the photo as well so we have something to compare the tubes to. Different screens can display colours differently.

It changed slightly at first but seems to be same colour for a few days now.

Quote from: chris213 on April 24, 2021, 04:49:40 PM

Something I have found with the api test kit I have been using for many years is that the colour chart is also very hard to get a good idea between the 0 and 0.25 ammonia levels ,for this reason I test the tap water and bottle water periodicly so I can see what the colour spectrum is with them .thow I would say looking at yours it looks far higher than 0.25 for now

I think its around 2ppm Chris.

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Cycling Test

Cycling Test

Author Topic: Cycling test (Read 3675 times) 24 replies

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