Cycle time scale.

[tomkeogh]

Hello all, The cycle on my large tank is coming to a pleasant end.

However, I still remember my horror in understanding the cycling process, and with the many past posts on the cycle process I know many other people had nightmares with there cycle.

So, I propose members who have recently finished a cycle or have records of past cycles good and bad post them here, newcomers to aquariums (myself included) will have a reference point to how differently cycles can behave.

Although I found many pages through Google with rough guide's to a cycle, I found very few with a time line. I will kick off:
This is the cycle of a 150 litre aquarium with two Axolotl all readings are AFTER a %20 water change, with daily feeding and syphoning.
Day 1, Ammonia. 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20(Nitrate present in tap water)
Day 6 Am.25 Ni 0 Na 20
Day 10, Am .50 Ni 0 Na 20 (I changed %5 more every two days at this point)
Day 13, Am .50 Ni .25 Na 20
Day 18, Am .25 Ni .50 Na20
Day 23(tonight), Am .0 Ni.25 Na40

From what I have read I think this has been a pleasant cycle with no real spikes I think down to the tank being quite large for two juveniles. and the readings being after water change.

I hope this catches on I think many people will benefit from it.

 

[melfly]

Hey Tom
I think this is a great idea
People always ask about cycles and if they see what is supposed to be happening it will help loads!

Wish i had some data to add but i am the most unorganised person ever!! (I dont even write the info down!)

Thank you.

Mel

 

[dragonlady]

Hi Tom,

I agree with Mel. Documenting cycling is a wonderful idea, but I'm not that organized either!

 

[iMash]

Tom,

When cycling, did you use tap water that you had let stand for 24hrs for the water change or did you use distilled/spring water for the water changes?

I have had my tank set up for 4 days with the filter running and tap water to fill it. There are no animals in the tank yet and I'm getting ammonia readings of 0.25 with my test kit. I'm just wondering if this ammonia has come from my tap and whether I should distill the water before putting it in?

Ash

 

[tomkeogh]

I used 'stress coat' tap water conditioner...Have you tested your tap water? if you are cycling without axolotl's in the tank you do not have to worry about water changes etc, have a look at this article.

Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

 

[DavidF]

Hi Tom

I think getting some real info about cycling is good as I'm a newbie at it and appreciate some examples.

I've cycled 2 tanks in the past 2 months. I jotted down each day or so the water chemistry for each process. Each took around 2 weeks to show zero ammonia and zero nitrite and I felt confident that the tanks were cycled after I confirmed consistent zero readings for the next few days. It seemed to me that the ammonia went away fairly quickly but the nitrite seemed to hang around for a while even with daily water changes.

Both tanks had fish -
165 litres with 6 mountain minnows for a few days and then 2 x 13cm axies.
150 litres with 10 guppies.

It is fair to say that I had some deaths in both cycles. The little fish showed the signs of poisoning like hanging at the top, near the bubbles, lethargic, etc. I think 3 minnows died but one went within hours of putting it in the tank so I dont think I can blame water chemistry on all deaths but I've doubt it played a role in most.

I put some of my detailed water chemistry results and thoughts into my blog at the time if you're interested.

Cheers
Dave