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Hello All,

Ok so I filled up the tank (200 Liter) and started the fishless cycling process just over a week ago...I have been using fish food to get ammonia to build up. As of yesterday, the ammonia level was at .5 ppm...Today I was just looking inside the tank for no particular reason and noticed that there appeared to be what looked like mold/fungus growing on what might be the bits of food lying on the aqua soil substrate. The tank has taken on some what of an odor also. Can anyone tell me if this is normal and should I continue to let the tank take it's course or is there a problem that I don't know about and should?

Michael

It is normal, that is what happens to fish food as it breaks down. What sort of odour is it? at this stage of the cycle it should be somewhat earthy and sharp, somewhat like hot wet rocks and a similar sort of tingle in your nose that you get if you sniff vinegar. I admit I've never cycled with fish food, so that smell could be a bit different, but generally you will get some odour as your tank moves through all the stages of the cycle.



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Callatya,

Thanks for your response...the odor does smell some what as you described (earthy and sharp...like hot wet rocks), and a tad fishy...i guess...

Crazy i know...

Thanks again!!!

Are you using ADA aquasoil? Aquasoil, when it is new, releases ammonia enough to cycle a tank without adding extra. At least that has been my experience when using it. My type is the "ammazonia" but I think that it's probably the same for all the varieties of ADA aquasoil.

Cheers
TW

ADA Aquasoil? After a quick check on the net it seems that it would be ADA Aqua Soil...but i was unaware that it releases ammonia on it's own...so do i need to quit adding food?

If you have the kits, just stop with the food and continue to monitor the ammonia level, see where it goes.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I second what Callatya says. Keep testing for ammonia, nitrite etc. I didn't need to add any additional source of ammonia, when I used ADA aquasoil (ammazonia). By testing, you'll soon find out if you do need to add extra.

Cheers
TW