Fish-less tank cycling.?

Question

Could someone please explain to me in terms that don't require a phd the process of tank cycling.
My tank has been cycling for approx 2 weeks, with no fish in it. Last week the amonia and nitrite levels were only slightly high, i have since added a live plant, done a 20%water change and put some fish food in. When I tested it again yesterday the nitrite and amonia levels had shot right up.
Is this normal? Approximatley how much longer will it be before it is safe to add the fish? Also what should happen to the levels when the fish are introduced?
Thanks.

sorry should add that this is only a small tank 20 litres. I heard that these were harder to keep stable, its for coldwater fish. Also I thought that the fish less method would be more humane.

Answer 1

The cycle takes between 6-8 weeks, and you can't shorten it, even if you would do it with fish

Since you don't have any fish in there, just keep on adding fishfood daily and don't do any waterchanges until it's completely cycled

And yes, it's absolutely normal that your nitrites and ammonia are high, this is a good sign, and means that your tank started to cycle already

Just keep adding ammonia source and it will be fine

If you really want to add fish, don't do it before your nitrites and ammonia are below 1.0ppm

But before you add them, do a 50% waterchange and keep up with 25% partial waterchanges every 4 days until your tank is completely cycled



Hope that helps
Good luck



EB


Edit*
The reason you add fishfood, is to have a natural ammonia source for your bacteria to grow in your filter
If you don't believe it can be done, read through this thread here
http://fishlesscycling.com/forum/index.php?topic=595.0

Answer 2

I preferred to do my cycle with fish in. But when you add your fish the ammonia they produce will send your nitrates up. Its normal. That's why its important to add only a few fish at a time. This gives the bacteria in your water a chance to play catch up with the sudden inflow of ammonia.
I don't know why the plant sent the ammonia levels up. I know the plant will release CO2 when the light goes out but I'm afraid I can't help there. Personally I'd say its safe to add a few fish now and see how you go. Check your levels after a few days to see how their doing.

Answer 3

Hi, When setting up that size tank it should only take about a week to do, by adding the plant it will help the cycle by adding fish food with no fish in it it will only decay and rot in the bottom of the tank hence upping the ammonia problem.

in fish cycle you have:
PH- Main water quality e.g acid or alkili
Nitrite- This is when the food and fish waste starts to break down
Ammonia- Nitrite then goes into this which is when it becomes poisonous to fish. which is then changed into
Nitrate- This can be removed by having healthy plants in the tank.

as long as you treated your tap water with a chlorine remover it should be fine.

If you are based in the uk and still having problems pop into pets at home and they will test it for you for free and explain the cycle in a lot more detail.

Hope that helped

Answer 4

if there are no fish in tank, why are you adding fish food?
this decaying is the reason for the levels to rocket
stop being so fussy over nitrite and nitrate levels, you will have fatalities whatever you do, and this will be exacerbated by such a small tank.
get a couple of neons or glow lights in there to kick the cycle off

Answer 5

From what I have read - six weeks seems to be the norm for a 10 gal aquarium.

If you do a ask.com search for fishless cycling there are a couple of good links.

I've been trying to learn about it myself.

Answer 6

WOW
i got a 70 gallon aquarium. Put in fish the very same day! the cycling should take a week, but they said i can put in fishes the same day, only if they are very HARDY, like the White Clouds.
u should look them up on google. They survive in anything.

Answer 7

I had an aquarium- fish for TEN YEARS !!
Now I have a "PET ROCK"
Much less cost, and keep !!

Answer 8

http://www.fishforums.net/content/Beginner-Questions/141944/Cycling-Resource-Center/