Hi Reefers,
So, I've been away from the hobby for 2-3 years due to a tank crash and general life. But man, this hobby is great and I want back in! So, in July and Aug, I happily collected all the gear for a new 25 gal Waterbox Penn. build. I decided to go for a fishless cycle / dry rock start up to avoid pests and just see if it worked.
In particular, I set out following Dr. Tim's cycling plan as outlined in this video: Features of this plan include a bottle of starter bacteria, low salinity (20-22 ppm), higher temp: 83+, lights off, and ammonia chloride drops.
On Sept 21, I began my fish-less cycle, by adding a bottle of Instant Ocean bio-spira, some ammonium chloride. For the next 2-3 weeks, I followed Tim's system (low salinity, higher temp, lights off). The cycle progressed, but didn't seem to finish to the point when ammonia, and nitrite levels were near 0 one day after adding ammonia up to 2 ppm. So, I didn't add any fish. Around Oct 13, I set my tank up to fish-keeping parameters: Salinity 32 - 33 ppm and temp at 77-78 F.
Around Oct 20, I noticed something funny happening with my tank, the water salinity was dropped to 27 ppm and the ATO was running a lot. I fixed the salinity via a water change and ignored the ATO for probably a week, and then decided to check the 5 gal water reservoir bucket. You guessed it: saltwater. The ATO and tank were siphoning / pumping back and forth constantly. That may be the root cause of my disaster. Now, I have the exit tube of the ATO zip tied to the goose neck of my LED light outside of the water. Tacky, but avoids disaster.
Since mid-Oct, I've been feeding my little bacteria tank with ammonia chloride every few days and monitoring ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. On Friday, Nov 6, I got fed up and did a 75-85% water change determined to go the local fish store the next day, get a fish and rock and roll. On Nov 7, I took my water sample to the fish store and they simply looked at me, shook their heads, and said, "fish-less cycles don't work. Take a couple pounds of live rock and come back in a week or two." They said I could try putting in a clown, but it'd be risky. So, I purchased 1-2 lbs of beautiful choraline-algea crusted live rock, went home, and plopped it into the back overflow of my 25 gal waterbox. I also went to PetCo, got another small bottle of Bio-Spira and dumped it into the tank for good measure.
From Nov 7 - to today, I've been adding ammonia chloride every couple of days, lights off, and fish-ready salinity (33 ppm) and temp (77-78 F). I've been testing every 3 days or so and get these levels consistently: ammonia: 0.2-0.5 ppm, nitrate 50 mgL, and nitrate: 10-25 mgL. So with work off most of this week, I want to get this cycling thing over with and add a couple of baby clowns. A few hours ago, I did a 75% water change, waited a couple of hours and tested the water. I'm at ammonia 0.5 ppm, nitrate 50 mgL, and Nitrite 10 mgL. I was hoping to go to the fish store tomorrow and get some livestock, but that appears to be unwise.
So - I'm 2 months into what I thought would be a 2 week fish-less cycle and more lost and frustrated than I anticipated.
If you've read this far - thanks! Now, this ignorant newbie could use your advice.
- What am I doing wrong?
- What's next to get this tank cycled?
- Do I just need more patience?
- When is it advisable to add a fish? Do you think I can add a fish or two this week?
Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions - even if it's just a word of encouragement.
So, I've been away from the hobby for 2-3 years due to a tank crash and general life. But man, this hobby is great and I want back in! So, in July and Aug, I happily collected all the gear for a new 25 gal Waterbox Penn. build. I decided to go for a fishless cycle / dry rock start up to avoid pests and just see if it worked.
In particular, I set out following Dr. Tim's cycling plan as outlined in this video: Features of this plan include a bottle of starter bacteria, low salinity (20-22 ppm), higher temp: 83+, lights off, and ammonia chloride drops.
On Sept 21, I began my fish-less cycle, by adding a bottle of Instant Ocean bio-spira, some ammonium chloride. For the next 2-3 weeks, I followed Tim's system (low salinity, higher temp, lights off). The cycle progressed, but didn't seem to finish to the point when ammonia, and nitrite levels were near 0 one day after adding ammonia up to 2 ppm. So, I didn't add any fish. Around Oct 13, I set my tank up to fish-keeping parameters: Salinity 32 - 33 ppm and temp at 77-78 F.
Around Oct 20, I noticed something funny happening with my tank, the water salinity was dropped to 27 ppm and the ATO was running a lot. I fixed the salinity via a water change and ignored the ATO for probably a week, and then decided to check the 5 gal water reservoir bucket. You guessed it: saltwater. The ATO and tank were siphoning / pumping back and forth constantly. That may be the root cause of my disaster. Now, I have the exit tube of the ATO zip tied to the goose neck of my LED light outside of the water. Tacky, but avoids disaster.
Since mid-Oct, I've been feeding my little bacteria tank with ammonia chloride every few days and monitoring ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. On Friday, Nov 6, I got fed up and did a 75-85% water change determined to go the local fish store the next day, get a fish and rock and roll. On Nov 7, I took my water sample to the fish store and they simply looked at me, shook their heads, and said, "fish-less cycles don't work. Take a couple pounds of live rock and come back in a week or two." They said I could try putting in a clown, but it'd be risky. So, I purchased 1-2 lbs of beautiful choraline-algea crusted live rock, went home, and plopped it into the back overflow of my 25 gal waterbox. I also went to PetCo, got another small bottle of Bio-Spira and dumped it into the tank for good measure.
From Nov 7 - to today, I've been adding ammonia chloride every couple of days, lights off, and fish-ready salinity (33 ppm) and temp (77-78 F). I've been testing every 3 days or so and get these levels consistently: ammonia: 0.2-0.5 ppm, nitrate 50 mgL, and nitrate: 10-25 mgL. So with work off most of this week, I want to get this cycling thing over with and add a couple of baby clowns. A few hours ago, I did a 75% water change, waited a couple of hours and tested the water. I'm at ammonia 0.5 ppm, nitrate 50 mgL, and Nitrite 10 mgL. I was hoping to go to the fish store tomorrow and get some livestock, but that appears to be unwise.
So - I'm 2 months into what I thought would be a 2 week fish-less cycle and more lost and frustrated than I anticipated.
If you've read this far - thanks! Now, this ignorant newbie could use your advice.
- What am I doing wrong?
- What's next to get this tank cycled?
- Do I just need more patience?
- When is it advisable to add a fish? Do you think I can add a fish or two this week?
Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions - even if it's just a word of encouragement.
