New guy starting fishless cycling

[Charles Scholl]

Hey guys, thanks for the help.

I have

1 -275 tote fish tank'

1- 180 gal sump

2 grow beds (275 tote cut) 12" gravel beds

I have a gal blue ribbon liquid ammonia 

maxicrop 32 oz liquid seaweed extract no iron

fresh water test kit

ph is around 7

I have been running the pumps for a week 

Weather is getting up to 70 degrees in the day

I have a question or two.

Do I add the maxicrop, ammonia, plants( leafy, herbs)  to the system at the same time and start testing?

If not, what is the proper order?

I'm sure I left something out. Thanks again 

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Charles,

You could have dosed ammonia when you started the pump. Yes, you may add everything you listed, looking to dose ammonia up to but not exceeding 4ppm. Attractive looking set up!

[Charles Scholl]

Thank HS. I'm trying to figure how much to add for 450 gal water using the liquid ammonia. as we speak. The trials so far indicate that it won't take much.  I really appreciate the advise. 

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Charles,

If you go over the 4ppm reading you can do a small water change, adding new water till you get the reading. Or if you get between 2-3ppm that will be fine also, its not that critical. If you do have to top up, please avoid water with chlorine/chloramines

[Charles Scholl]

I see. I added a small amount in tonight.I will take a reading tomorrow.

Harold Sukhbir said:

Hi Charles,

If you go over the 4ppm reading you can do a small water change, adding new water till you get the reading. Or if you get between 2-3ppm that will be fine also, its not that critical. If you do have to top up, please avoid water with chlorine/chloramines

[Verna Gross]

I started with 1 ounce at a time in our 250 gal FT during fishless cycling

[Charles Scholl]

Hey guys, I'm back for a little knowledge.

    I added the ammonia along with maxicrop March 15 and had readings 3-4 ppm for a couple weeks. Weather was cold and no changes had happened.

I added a cap full of maxicrop every other day

March 30th I added some bacteria from a friends fish pond filter.

A couple warm days and Ammonia dropped and nitrate and nitrite went up. 

Today April 15th - Ammonia 0 ppm  nitrates 15 ppm  nitrates 1.5 ppm  PH 7.6

Where am I in the process?

Do I add more ammonia?

Plants are ok for now. 

Thanks Steve

[Charles Scholl]

Today April 15th - Ammonia 0 ppm  nitrates 15 ppm  NITRITES 1.5 ppm  PH 7.6

Thanks for everything. You guys have been great.

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Charles,

Where are you at? A few minutes from being completely cycled! That's where......so congratulations! It took some patience, didn't it? When you add fish and start feeding, you'll need to monitor ammonia/nitrite frequently until you get a feel for how quickly the system "digest" nitrogen, and you'll also then, have a feel for feeding the right amounts. Colder temps slow everything down, as it warms up the system will become more responsive.

Charles Scholl said:

Today April 15th - Ammonia 0 ppm  nitrates 15 ppm  NITRITES 1.5 ppm  PH 7.6

Thanks for everything. You guys have been great.

[Charles Scholl]

Harold I appreciate all  the help. I am very satisfied considering the weather in SC this march. It has been in the 40- 60's

all month. We usually water ski by mid march and hit 80's by Masters week.

    My patience isn't as good as you give credit for. I ran straight to a friend of mine that works for the State wildlife dept. and got bacteria from his personal fish pond filter to help it alone. That stuff along with 2 mid 70 days worked magic. 

    I've added a raft with spinach and put shade cloth to keep the hot mid day sun off. I am also building a radial flow filter  to help once I get fish. I will upload some pictures soon so you can tell me what you think.

 

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Charles,

Exciting plans you have! We'll wait for the developments!

[Charles Scholl]

Here are some current pictures. I have 4 Bluegill .I will get some catfish soon.

 I bought 2000 redworms this week to raise. Bugs are getting my greens so I'm trying a few things I seen on here. Thanks for the help.

Do I need to reduce the picture size?

Harold Sukhbir said:

Hi Charles,

Exciting plans you have! We'll wait for the developments!