Fishless Cycling - Week One

Cycling Start Date: Friday, November 26th
Method of Cycling: Pure Ammonia
Amount of Ammonia Added: Approx 5ppm
Tank Size: 65 gallons

Friday
Set up the tank, added the filter, heater, and added probably about 5-6ppm pure ammonia.

Saturday
The filter was giving me problems, so I returned it the next night for an Aquaclear. Added the same amount of ammonia as the previous night. Tank was maintaing around 78 degrees farenheit.

Sunday
The next night I decided to add the substrate (sand), along with some material from an established tank (driftwood, rainbow rock, and gravel). Added the same amount of ammonia again.

Monday
Upon doing more research, I decided to do a different approach, and decided not to add ammonia again until it was down to 0ppm. Added another bag gravel from established tank.

Tuesday
Ammonia still roughly 5ppm. No nitrites. Haven't tested for nitrates yet.

Wednesday
Ammonia still roughly 5ppm. No nitrites. Haven't tested for nitrates yet.

Thursday
Ammonia appears to have dropped slightly. Measuring around 4-5ppm. No nitrites. Haven't tested for nitrates yet.

Friday
Ammonia now clearly reads 4ppm. No nitrites. Haven't tested for nitrates yet. Replaced 150w heater with 200w heater. Now maintaining 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Saturday
Ammonia at 3ppm. No nitrites. Haven't tested for nitrates yet. Added another bag of gravel from established tank.

Sunday
Ammonia at 2ppm. First sign of nitrites, although still to small to be on the chart. Roughly 0.12ppm. Haven't tested for nitrates yet.



Week One Summary
Considering I started with too much ammonia, switched filters, added substrate, and changed cycling methods within the first week, a visible ammonia drop and nitrites indicate good process. Addition of substrate and established seeding material appear to have helped.

The Holy Grail

I'm a thrifter. I get a thrill out of a good bargain, so you can usually find me in a thrift store at least once a week.

Rewind to last Thursday.

I decide to stop by Goodwill on a whim. I head to my usual section—the books, records, and dvd's. I'm a bit let down when I don't find anything. I stagger off towards the electronics section, and that's when I see it— a 65 gallon aquarium with a light strip and a dirty python no spill stuffed inside it. The price was $25. I did a quick inspection and then walked away to think about it. Five minutes later it's in the back seat of my car.

As I'm driving home I start thinking of how dumb it was to buy an aquarium at Goodwill—even for $25. I can already picture the leak in my head. I tell myself that at the very least, the Python will probably work.

A week later, the tank is filled and cycling. The Python is in the garbage.