nevesj98 Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Hello shrimpkeepers So my tank is currently cycling and i know that a tank ends the cycle when the nitrites are at 0 But should i just wait on a tank to cycle "naturaly" or should i use a product like purigen to low the nitrite levels? Im afraid if by using a product im "cheating" the cycle and just lowering the nitrites for a short period of time just for the nitrites to rise again after the products effect has ended(and ending up killing the shrimps due to a false sense of the cycle ending) Have a wonderfull day MableBile and JosephKex 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 How many days has the tank been running? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 2 full weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Two tests to guarantee cycle is done: 1. NH3/NH4 is 0ppm, Nitrite is 0ppm and NO3 is > 0ppm 2. Adding 2 ppm NH3/NH4 to tank, check next day. NH3/NH4 should be zero ppm. then cycling is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 0ppm Nitrite means nothing, if the cycle never kick started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d0pey Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 How are you cycling the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimple minded Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 In my experience, while a cycle can be achieved with purigen, this process takes much longer with purigen. I'd prefer to add purigen after a normal cycle is complete, in line with your aforementioned suspicions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Shrimpy Daddy and chibikaie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 In my experience, while a cycle can be achieved with purigen, this process takes much longer with purigen. I'd prefer to add purigen after a normal cycle is complete, in line with your aforementioned suspicions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk +1 Usually, I will put Purigen in after 2 to 3 weeks. However if you are cycling with substrate that release ammonium/ ammonia, such as ADA AS, it is better to put in Purigen upfront to bring the NH3/4 and NO2 level down. When they are too high, the cycling will be very slow too. Plus your plant will die. Zero NO2 does not mean your tank has completed the cycling, there are other types of bacteria need to colonise. This will take about a month to two months, depending on your cycling method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 My cycling method is just very simple i gess, i assembled the aquarium as i wanted, filled it with water and just let it cycle with the filter and heater on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Without a source of ammonia, the cycle won't even get started. Your tank is definitely not cycled and won't safely handle livestock. Shrimpy Daddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 The best ammonia source is the decaying of powder shrimp food or crush/grind shrimp wafer. This will have protein and other type of organic waste products to feed all sort of bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 The best ammonia source is the decaying of powder shrimp food or crush/grind shrimp wafer. This will have protein and other type of organic waste products to feed all sort of bacteria. What amount of food ? And do you periodically add more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Just a pinch (about half wafer amount) every 2 to 3 days is good enough. Make sure they are in powder form. Or else, it will have a hard time to breakdown in new tank. pictokid1983 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Wow thanks i just tought amonia came in the water itself, well everyday is learning day but yeah i know it wouldnt be able to handle livestock,thanks again for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Have a look at Christine's video. This may help: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Ive seen it already but since it uses some products which i cant get here in portugal, i didnt really took to much attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Ive seen it already but since it uses some products which i cant get here in portugal, i didnt really took to much attention. Can I ask a curious question? Is it not easy to get good shrimp's products in Portugal? I do have quite a number of Portuguese customers order directly from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 I'm not saying you can't, i'm saying that i cant, im new in this hobby therefore i dont know the places to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 I'm not saying you can't, i'm saying that i cant, im new in this hobby therefore i dont know the places to go Haha... No no. What I mean is that I am asking about availability of shrimp's products. Not specifically about you. From what I heard is that it is not as easy to get as other part of Europe. Is that true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Mostly yes, there is not as much shrimp dedicated stores, altough we have some awesome shrimp breeders who take it very seriously. ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I see. Ah... That's explain why I have significant amount of Portuguese customers. MableBile and JosephKex 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 today i had my nitrites rise from 1mg/l to 5mg/l , does this means my cycle is running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpy Daddy Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Nice! All natural without adictives ^^ just java moss,"echinodorus tenellus green" and a little bit of spider wood eheehheh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevesj98 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Just to check this "nitrite peak" will be followed by its decrease and then the nitrates will have a peak too right? then hit good values if anything goes according to planed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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