KadeFoster Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) Tank: 165L Equipment Basic: Filter: Aquaone Nautilus 1400 - Tray 1. Sponges - Tray 2 & 3. Seachem Matrix Heater: Hydor Inline 300w Dalua SS Freshwater LED Light Additional Equipment: Sera 1000 C02 Reactor Aqua Nova 18watt UV Steriliser CO2 Pro Regulator 2.6kg CO2 Cylinder Monitoring Equipment: Seneye Reef Macro Aqua PH Monitor with power plug Tank Contents: Black Earth Soil II by Aqualabs 2 x Driftwood Basic Parameters Tap: PH: 8-8.5 KH: 8 GH: 10 Basic Parameters Tank 1 hour after filling: PH: 7.5 - Tested using the monitor KH: Not tested GH: Not tested Day 1 - 25.08.13 Filled tank and water became murky from substrate, had to put rock inside log to stop it from floating. Add 20mls of Seachem Stability Set heater to 26oC Tested PH: 7.5 - Tested using the monitor Day 2 - 26.08.13 Tank cleared up & lights came one from timer. I installed the Seneye Reef. Its giving me a different reading to the PH monitor and is saying 8.13, going to leave over night to see if it changes. I also did a API PH test and it was 7.5. Wrapped prawn in net then put into tank. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.7oC NH3: 0.040 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 11.85 Day 3 - 27.08.13 Tank is clear, prawns are rotting nicely. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.049 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 84.61 PH: 7.49 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 4 - 28.08.13 Prawn doesn't seem to be rotting as yet, but i guess it will soon. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.055 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 49.36 Going down PH: 7.49 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 5 - 29.08.13 Prawn is now rotting with some white crap on it, the water is starting to stink a little well a fair bit not. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.058 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 34.48 Going down PH: 7.64 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 6 - 30.08.13 Prawn is now rotting with alot of white crap on it, the room now stinks. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.090 mg/l (ppm) Going Down NH4: 24.44 Going up PH: 7.76 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 7 - 31.08.13 Still stinking Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.101 mg/l (ppm) Going Up NH4:30.07 Going up - Fluctuating Up & Down PH: 7.8 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 8 - 01.09.13 White stuff on prawn is looking like its trying to grow white angel wings. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.110 mg/l (ppm) Going Up NH4: 24.34 Fluctuating Up & Down PH: 7.8 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) Day 9 - 02.09.13 Prawn still looks bad. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 28.0oC NH3: 0.113 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 31.73 Fluctuating Up & Down PH: 7.67 (Seneye), 7.55 (Monitor) NO2: 0 mg/l (ppm) NO3-: 0 mg/l (ppm) Day 10 - 03.09.13 Prawn still looks bad. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.8oC NH3: 0.117 mg/l (ppm) @1pm today this dropped to 0.001. Strange but could be just the sensor. Is back up now. NH4: 40.38 Going Up PH: 7.67 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 11 - 04.09.13 Prawn still looking the same. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Added 4 more prawns tonight ... large ones Temp: 27.8oC NH3: 0.117 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 51.47 Going Up PH: 7.67 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 12 - 05.09.13 Prawn still looking the same. OK he stink is back now lol worse than before, i think my nose is getting used to it. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.116 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 50.32 PH: 7.48 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 13 - 06.09.13 Prawn still looking the same. OK he stink is back now lol worse than before, i think my nose is getting used to it. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Should i stop adding this now? Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.190 mg/l (ppm) looks like the 4 prawns are doing something nice jump up OK it looks like the seneye is out, chemical test says 8ppm hmmm NH4: 50.91 PH: 7.45 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 14 - 07.09.13 Took prawns out. Did a API Ammonia test and it came back at 8ppm Did water change 20% took out prawns and retested. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Air stone running Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 4 - 6 ppm NH4: 4 - 6 ppm PH: 7.45 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 15 - 08.09.13 Left tank alone. Added 10mls of Seachem Stability Air stone running Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 4 - 6 ppm NH4: 4 - 6 ppm PH: 7.45 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 16 - 09.09.13 Air stone running Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.217 mg/l (ppm) NH4: 32.99 PH: 7.70 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 17 - 10.09.13 Air stone running Today I took out some substrate for my daughters new 40L Aqua One tank. Added a cheap plant from the pet store in a pot just floating around. Temp: 26.8oC NH3: 0.181 mg/l (ppm) Going Down NH4:63.41 Going Up PH: 7.40 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) NO2: 1 mg/l (ppm) Figured the NH3 started going down dramatically that i would test for NO2 - Yahoo!! Cycling Day 18 - 11.09.13 Air stone running Added 2 more prawns tonight. Temp: 26.8oC NH3: 0.111 mg/l (ppm) Going Down quick, NH4:97.94 Going Up PH: 7.20 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor)The monitor barely changes, think i may need to recalibrate it Day 19 - 12.09.13 Air stone running 2 Prawns in there rotting away. Will have to buy some fish soon Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.093 mg/l (ppm) Going Down quick, NH4: 118.58 Going Up PH: 7.10 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor)The monitor barely changes, think i may need to recalibrate it NO2: 1 mg/l (ppm) NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) Going Up Day 20 - 13.09.13 Air stone running 2 Prawns in there rotting away Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.055 mg/l (ppm) Going Down quick, NH4: 144.27 Going Down PH: 7.03 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 21 - 14.09.13No readings taken as i was away, but still ammonia trending down Prawns still rotting away Day 22 - 15.09.13No readings taken as i was away, but still ammonia trending down Prawns still rotting away Day 23 - 16.09.13 Air stone running 2 Prawns in there rotting away Temp: 26.5oC NH3: 0.039 mg/l (ppm) Going Down slower NH4: 133.47Going Down PH: 7.03 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) NO2: 1 mg/l (ppm) NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) Going Up Day 24 - 17.09.13 Air stone running 2 Prawns in there rotting away Temp: 26.5oC NH3: 0.038 mg/l (ppm) Going Down slower NH4: 127.51Going Up PH: 7.10 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) Day 25 - 18.09.13 Air stone running 2 Prawns in there rotting away Temp: 26.5oC NH3: 0.039 mg/l (ppm) Stable NH4: 113.76Going Up PH: 7.15 (Seneye), 7.54 (Monitor) NO2: 1 mg/l (ppm) NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) Going Up Day 26 - 19.09.13 No readings taken as i was trying to sort out a filter flow issue Day 27 - 20.09.13 Air stone is off Planted tank with some plants that i received today Still have 2 Prawns in there rotting away to keep the ammonia up until i get fish. Also upped the temperature Temp: 30.2oC NH3: 0.028 mg/l (ppm) Going Down NH4: 80.83B]Going Up[/b] PH: 7.18 (Seneye), 7.53 (Monitor) Stable NO2: 5 mg/l (ppm) Gone Up NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) No Change Day 28 - 21.09.13 Some plants still floating till tomorrow Still have 2 Prawns in there rotting away to keep the ammonia up until i get fish. Dropped temp back down Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.025 mg/l (ppm) Going Down NH4: 96.52 Going Up PH: 7.19 (Seneye), 7.53 (Monitor) Stable NO2: 5 mg/l (ppm) Gone Up NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) No Change Day 29 - 22.09.13 Most plants planted, going to drop the water tomorrow so i can glue the Anubia to my DW (Hopefully not kill the cycle) Still have 2 Prawns in there rotting away to keep the ammonia up until i get fish. Temp: 27.5oC NH3: 0.022mg/l (ppm) Going Down NH4: 96.52 Going Down - This Fluctuates all the time PH: 7.19 (Seneye), 7.53 (Monitor) Stable NO2: 5 mg/l (ppm) Gone Up, Hope this goes down soon as i want some fish NO3: 20 mg/l (ppm) No Change ********************************************************** LIVE CYCLING RIGHT HERE with Seneye After setting up the Seneye and looking at the Dashboard figured out it does not test for Nitrites & Nitrates. I figure if i keep an eye on the graphs, watch for the spike then test when it goes to 0. Questions: 1. Should I cycle my lights while I am cycling? If i don't have plants do i need to do this? 2. Should I go to the LFS and just buy some cheap plants in pots to just sit in the tank? 3. Should i be aerating the water while cycling? The setup under the tank. Dirty as tank Non-swimming Prawns Decided on the 2 pieces of wood, probably not the best hardscape but yeah, i think it gives and interesting shape. The hollow log did darken a bit which was good to. Any ways sorry for the long post. Edited September 22, 2013 by KadeFoster Added Day 29 Details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie wonder Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Look great what ya chucking in there, Nice wood! I love wood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gung-ho1900 Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 If your doing a planted tank you don't need to do a fishless cycle the plants will eat up most of the toxins such as Nh3 & 4 no2 & 3 but don't let NH3 get over 5ppm I think it gets toxic to plants, but if you put in some fast growing stems you could all most put fish in staight away but I wait to see some plant growth first before I add fish, I put discus after 3 weeks starting my tank and no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Yeah i wasn't sure if the wood would look any good by itself due to the different colours but i think it looks alright. Wood is just in there atm to get better water logged. I am planning on planting up the tank pretty densely or well as best as a beginner can. My CO2 cylinder is on its way from the Keg Shop as we speak. I am planning on making a nice community tank with some tetras (not sure what ones yet), harlequins rasboras, kuhli loaches (best fish ever), ottos, corys, maybe some shrimp (undecided). Wanted to keep the fish small so i could have a fair few and so i could possibly have some shrimp in there. The LFS doesn't really have true aquarium plants so i am gonna have to do a large order from a sponsor, problem is tho i am on shift during the week so i will just have to cycle till i am off on weekdays again. Would also like a some frogbit to float on the surface. Not sure what to do with plants yet, still learning. 1. Should I cycle my lights while I am cycling? If i don't have plants do i need to do this? 2. Should I go to the LFS and just buy some cheap plants in pots to just sit in the tank? 3. Should i be aerating the water while cycling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Any suggestions why my NH4 is going down on day 4? Wouldn't it be increasing due to the rotting prawn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhysl Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Surprised this hasn't had much attention, looks like a nice sleek setup! and that driftwood looks pretty good 1.Should I cycle my lights while I am cycling? If i don't have plants do i need to do this? Nah. I don't believe the nitrogen cycle requires any real lighting, and I would turn off your UV aswell until everything is seeded 2. Should I go to the LFS and just buy some cheap plants in pots to just sit in the tank? you could, but then if they are poor quality you risk introducing algae and snails before the tanks even setup. personally I don't mind snails and I think of algae as a "its going to happen one day" thing. 3. Should i be aerating the water while cycling? If its an airstone, I wouldn't bother. I might run the CO2 just to get my levels kinda right before I add fish in and put them throu too much stress with PH swings And your filter might be keeping up with the rot, from all the stability? never used it myself, but it might just be doing its job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Cheers for the info. Might turn the lights off, the UV was off as thats what it said to do on the stability bottle. It may be a week or so before i get some plants as there is not chance in them getting here before friday or on monday, and then i am back to work tuesday. I still have no idea what ones i want yet either. Tomorrow i will go buy a Nitrate & Nitrite test kit... if only there were digital ones of them lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 OK, tank is starting to stink out my man cave. Prawn has white crap on it now and just looks tasty lol. NH3 doesn't seem to be going up much as yet but the NH4 is going down so is it safe to assume that the bacteria are not colonising the Seachem Matrix? How long should i keep the stinky prawn in the tank? I will get a nitrate & nitrite kit tomorrow and start testing for those. Any suggestions or advice is welcome & wanted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 takes longer than 3 days man. prawns are stinky i just use fish food slightly less smelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Damn lol, its only bad when i leave the door closed for the day. How long should i be looking at before i have to do a water change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 About 2 to 3 weeks aprox Once ammonia and nitrite have peaked and fallen to 0ppm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 OK woke up this morning come into the room and well lets just say that .............................it really really stinks lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daharkazangel Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Just throw a few rosy barbs in there. Best cycling fish ever IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 That smell is likely ammonia. its done its job. Get that prawn out of there lol i'd throw it into mount doom, but the neighbours garden is probably closer. just dont leave any drips. Next time though spirulina flake best cycle food ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) OK Day 6.... Prawn is stinking up the place like crazy... has some crazy white stuff growing on it.......Would some active carbon in the top filter basket help with the smell? Also the PH has slowly crept up and is now sitting stable at 7.76 (Seneye), 7.55 (monitor guess its less accurate) Is this normal for it to be creeping up while cycling? I Black Earth Soil II by Aqualabs in there and i thought that was supposed to bring the PH down... that and the DW Also today had a random spike in NH3 @ 13:00 it was 0.256mg/l, then went back to 0.090. Is this normal? The NH4 has also been even more erratic today as well, spikes and dips. While temp has been constant. Brought a Nitrate & Nitrite tester today to. LIVE CYCLING RIGHT HERE with Seneye Edited August 30, 2013 by KadeFoster Added link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 That smell is likely ammonia.its done its job. Get that prawn out of there lol i'd throw it into mount doom, but the neighbours garden is probably closer. just dont leave any drips. Next time though spirulina flake best cycle food ever. The NH3 doesn't seem to be up that high tho.... I got Spirulina powder but i guess the tank would just got green lol...........mount doom or hide it in some ones car mauhahahaha lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 That is not appetising at All. But I gurantee some restaurant in Manila is charging hollywood prices for the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 OK Day 6....Prawn is stinking up the place like crazy... has some crazy white stuff growing on it.......Would some active carbon in the top filter basket help with the smell? Also the PH has slowly crept up and is now sitting stable at 7.76 (Seneye), 7.55 (monitor guess its less accurate) Is this normal for it to be creeping up while cycling? I Black Earth Soil II by Aqualabs in there and i thought that was supposed to bring the PH down... that and the DW Also today had a random spike in NH3 @ 13:00 it was 0.256mg/l, then went back to 0.090. Is this normal? The NH4 has also been even more erratic today as well, spikes and dips. While temp has been constant. Brought a Nitrate & Nitrite tester today to. Some carbon will certainly help with the smell. A dose of easylife or geoliquid wouldnt hurt either. The soil and the wood will work together to lower the pH with time. once you add fish their will be more organic acids in the water and these will combine with fish breathing co2 to lower the pH more. As far as erratic cycles go, there are many variables. Cycling is a boring subject for 90% of people so I prefer to explain it as a battle between microbes that as they reach treaties, or secure surface area finally create a stable food chain. Until the wars are won though....... the chemistry is unstable. An interesting effect in tanks where bacteria in a bottle starters are used, is the population doubling surge. It starts off slow and then speeds up. Its hard to know exactly what is going on at the ground level, but the good thing is you dont have too. As long as you dont kill filter media by cleaning in tap water it will work whether you understand it or not. Ammonia and nitrite tests tell us most of what we need to know. But they dont tell us much about whats actually happening in detail. Once you factor in oxygen levels and temperature, you can try to predict a cycle length....... but its a gamble. Excellent thread by the way. once you record a cycle you will understand how they work on a different level. And you will have your first number of days to tell someone who asks How long does it take to cycle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted August 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2013 Some carbon will certainly help with the smell.A dose of easylife or geoliquid wouldnt hurt either. The soil and the wood will work together to lower the pH with time. once you add fish their will be more organic acids in the water and these will combine with fish breathing co2 to lower the pH more. As far as erratic cycles go, there are many variables. Cycling is a boring subject for 90% of people so I prefer to explain it as a battle between microbes that as they reach treaties, or secure surface area finally create a stable food chain. Until the wars are won though....... the chemistry is unstable. An interesting effect in tanks where bacteria in a bottle starters are used, is the population doubling surge. It starts off slow and then speeds up. That is an awesome Analogy... maybe i should tell my missus that one.... she keeps saying i go over board into things too much... to much science lol How does Geo liquid differ from Stability?? My mate suggested that i should use a gold fish to cycle... then put it in the freezer... hes cruel I also have C02 Tank arriving soon and i know that that lowers PH as well.....Should i get a tester or just rely on the Graph and adjust my PH monitor accordingly? Got my daughter an AquaOne AR340 Starter tank for her birthday today.... planning on using some of my Matrix in hers instead of her noodles & to seed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted September 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Well i guess its good to see that the cycling is going well boringly.... not alot happening.... everything is just steady atm nothing is fluctuating too wildly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 How does Geo liquid differ from Stability? Stability is a bottle of bacteria. Easy life and geoliquid are blended clay products that are excellent at absorbing fats, oils and smells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 OK Seneye is out, chemical test is telling me ammonia is @ 8ppm.... time to check the gear again... maybe in the wrong spot... i guess time for prawns to come out ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted September 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 OK major Ammonia crash but lucky for no fish... Seneye did not report the right level... guess i screwed up installing the slide.... ammonia was 8ppm so i did a part water change 20% and yeah now its down to 4-6ppm will just leave it now and see how we go... might install a new seneye sensor to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 definitely get it out this is going to be a very robust cycle! I wouldnt worry about water changes as you dont have fish in there. Now you got some big numbers to play with, it makes it all the more interesting That smell is likely ammonia. its done its job. Get that prawn out of there lol i'd throw it into mount doom, but the neighbours garden is probably closer. just dont leave any drips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KadeFoster Posted September 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 Ok the Seneye is not accurate sadly , have messaged the manufacturer will wait to see what they say. Retested today still got 4-6 ppm of ammonia. Am gonna leave it at that and just let it go. Should i still be adding Stability? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
