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This tank is really perplexing me. It is our 60 gallon tank, newly converted to freshwater. Trying the whole fishless cycle thing. Here's the breakdown:

Once the temperatue was up to normal (Monday night), added NIC and 30 drops of pure ammonia.

Tuesday morning tested the water and then added another 30 drops of ammonia. Repeat Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning and Wednesday night. Here are the results -

At all times temperature 78 F
pH roughly 7.0 after the first testing.
Ammonia 0.25 ppm on all testings.
NitrIte 0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.02 ppm chronologically
NItrAte 2.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 0.0 ppm chronologically.

To me it seems that the bacteria are doing their jobs very well and we can start adding fish soon! But then again perhaps I am doing it wrong? I sure hope not (and I don't think so, judging by the slight prescence of ammonia in each test - so it wasn't all used up)

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Just add fish slowly

Superlion...

Heat is your friend when doing a fishless cycle. The higher you can get the temp in the tank the sooner the cycle will be completed when doing a fishless cycle.

If you decide to convert to using fish to complete the cycle than alright, if not, you need to remember to continue adding the ammonia manually everyday to sustain the bacteria colony you have started.

If you do decide to use fish you will need to add enough fish to sustain the level of ammonia currently present or you will lose what progress you already have made, remember that.

I wish you well with whichever route you take. Here to help if I can.

Well - how many fish would simulate adding 30 drops of ammonia twice a day?

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I guess the safe answer to that question is...

If you add fish and you notice that the level of ammonia is dropping with no rise in your nitrite levels than your fish need to potty more or you need more fish.

Yup - I guess that is a safe answer. I suppose we should start with gouramis ... or my own fish (which are very tough, considering they are thriving in 10 gallon tanks)

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