|
Post by Betta Off on Aug 16, 2003 22:38:38 GMT -5
I really, truely believe that, cyclwise, I am cursed.
Okay, here's the thing: I raised the ammonia in my 29G to 2-3 ppm and now, it's gone down to .5-1 ppm or lower. There're no nitrites or nitrates. This is a fishless cycle and I've been using Stress Zyme which is what the kit came with in the first place(i was looking for Bio Spira but we don't have any around here). It's going into it's 3rd or 4th week of cycling since I began the process of recycling it(it cycled while I was on vacation but I wasn't there so...).
I have a CAE in my 5G and he's a about 2in long now. There are 17 fry and two mothers in the same tank and whenever I do the weekly water changes, the water I take out is so dirty that I can't see to the bottom of the bucket i put it in. Since my CAE had his growth spurt, I've decided that I need to move him 'cause he's part of the cause of all that filthy water. Should I just put him in the 29G? He's survived one cycle but I don't know about this one. Probably but that might just cause the cycle to take even longer and those babies are growing fast. They'll need to go somewhere soon and I know I can't get another tank. Even if I do, there's the whole cycle thing again!
|
|
|
Post by jonah on Aug 16, 2003 23:25:26 GMT -5
That's a tough one. I've never done a fishless cycle before. I've been keeping tanks so long I just transfer gravel and filter media over and get started. I also do a lot of water changes so the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels don't have much chance to build.
The way I look at it is if there isn't too much bio-load and the tank has enough volume you'd probably be pretty safe just doing plenty of water changes to keep the levels down.
Just my 2 cents.
|
|
Bernie
Fishy
"Follow the Light.....Find the Fish!!"
Posts: 22
|
Post by Bernie on Aug 19, 2003 6:45:27 GMT -5
Yup, I hear alot on the "fishless cycling" on other forums; (Don't care for it myself, but?? ); Anyway, the theory is you have to add ammonia regularly until it cycles (keeping it at particular levels).
Another point for you.... Stress-zyme distorts your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings. Generally those using a "fishless" cycle don't use water preps or conditioners for that reason.
I, personally, am from the "old school" and generally recommend "adding fish slowly" and thereby never having "high level" spikes of either ammonia or nitrites. Usually teaches newbies a more "hands-on" lesson in "cycling" a tank.
However, we do sell Bio-Spira in my on-line store.... we ship it all over the U.S. and Canada.
Bernie
|
|