Lost in Aquasoil Cycle

659 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by tlriot, Nov 2, 2016

tlriot

Discussion Starter · Nov 2, 2016

I've been cycling my tank with Aquasoil with the 1 90%WC per day first week, 1 WC every other day week 2, etc routine that I had read was suggested to prep the tank. I am half way through week 2. I just started really testing it regularly this week and it made me realize this was probably not the way to go. I'm getting 0ppm for nitrites, and about .25ppm for ammonia.

Should I really be doing this many big water changes? I'm worried I've removed too much ammonia to finish the cycle now. I have the tank heavily planted.

I did a large WC last night and tested it tonight with the .25ppm and 0ppm readings.

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roadmaster

· #2 · Nov 2, 2016

Can take two week's for nitrites to appear.
We know the aquasoil is providing ammonia/ammonium, so bacteria are developing.
would perform water changes as suggested for the aquasoil and measure for nitrites every two or three day's.
Nitrites usually appear around two week mark and quickly disappear within a day or two.
Plant's also will take up ammonia/ammonium as fuel for growth.
only suggest testing every couple day's for those that might want to.
For me,I would just change water as product suggested, and let the biological activity do what it does.
At around five week's the tank will have healthy bacterial population and hopeful plant growth,and water changes can scale back to once weekly or monthly depending on method.
Would not start adding ammonia or bacteria in a bottle product's that could queer everything. IMHO
You almost have to self inflict an issue that would prevent the maturing or (cycling) process.
Patience of an old fisherman is needed.
Has been said that thing's that happen quickly in the aquarium ,are usually bad thing's.

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tlriot

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 2, 2016

roadmaster said:
Can take two week's for nitrites to appear.
We know the aquasoil is providing ammonia/ammonium, so bacteria are developing.
would perform water changes as suggested for the aquasoil and measure for nitrites every two or three day's.
Nitrites usually appear around two week mark and quickly disappear within a day or two.
Plant's also will take up ammonia/ammonium as fuel for growth.
only suggest testing every couple day's for those that might want to.
For me,I would just change water as product suggested, and let the biological activity do what it does.
At around five week's the tank will have healthy bacterial population and hopeful plant growth,and water changes can scale back to once weekly or monthly depending on method.
Would not start adding ammonia or bacteria in a bottle product's that could queer everything. IMHO
You almost have to self inflict an issue that would prevent the maturing or (cycling) process.
Patience of an old fisherman is needed.
Has been said that thing's that happen quickly in the aquarium ,are usually bad thing's.

Thank you! It's good to know I'm not totally off base. I started to question it, and then I read about some people just doing a few WC for clarity, and letting it sit for a few weeks. I guess it's just proof that there isn't a right way or wrong way, it's just whatever gets you the results.

I'll keep on what I'm doing and test for nitrites every other day opposite my WC days, or before. Hopefully I see them show up by the end of this week or start of next.

It's been at least 6 years since I've started a tank, and previous cycles for me had always been fish in (before really knowing about cycling) or from seeded media.

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