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Comment by Nicolas on April 25, 2013 at 11:52am

Hi guys im back - so after acting on the last set of tips you guys gave me (make sure the water floods/drains the whole bed) things were looking up.. after adding some human ammonia and a used filter from a fish store, I started to develop nitrites and then nitrates.. also I had scattered seeds all over the place and now I have 3 foot tall cucumber plants in addition to okra a kale and eggplant and spinach  

Then, I had to go on a work trip for ten days and let my pops in charge of the system (Big Mistake??)

Just got back this morning and here's what i discovered

pH dropped to 6 (maybe lower)

Ammonia through the roof (well past 8 ppm)

0 nitrites

0 nitrates

today I added some pH up so hopefully ill get above 6 and close to 7 today.. anyone got a clue of whats going on and what I can do? is it possible the bacteria died when the pH dropped? should I get the pH up and another filter?

Thanks tons for your help, I don't want to put fish in there if theyre lives are going to be at stake

Comment by Leo White Bear on April 25, 2013 at 3:53am

On another note, you can do as mr. Murrey Hallum suggests.  Add the approiate amount of MAXICROP to your systems water, following the recommended dosage and plant your plants.  After two weeks add your fish.  The MAXICROP (a seaweed extract) will support your plants growth and root development until the ammonia from your fish is feeding the bacteria growing in your system.  This is the easiest way to start up your system without loosing precious growing time, just remember the temps I stated below

Comment by Leo White Bear on April 25, 2013 at 3:48am

Matt-

  When cycling your system you are first growing the bacteria to convert the ammonia that your fish produce into first nitrites and then into nitrates by another type of bacteria.  The bacteria are all around us so they will find your ammonia rich system sooner or later.  These bacteria are slow growing so it will take up to 1-1/2 months to have you system totally cycled depending on the temperature of the water and if you are using a media based system, the media also must be warm.  the bacterias optimum temperature is between 70° - 80°F, so you may want to heat the water like Anne did.  Be patient and keep testing for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.  I have found also that pH has a role in cycling and the bacteria like it a bit above 7 (nuetral).  At 60°F the bacteria will populate your system half as quickly as at 70° and less anywhere below 60° until they die at 32°

Comment by Anne Phillip on April 24, 2013 at 10:33pm

Hi Matt- To start cycling without fish, you can add a source of ammonia. I added a hydroponic nutrient solution to my tanks. The entire cycle, from addition of ammonia to having zero ammonia and zero nitrites, took almost a month. I cycled another system last summer and it only took 10 days. The water temperature seems to really influence the speed of the cycling. This time the water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit - I turned on my aquarium heaters to increase it to 65 about 2 weeks into the cycle. It may have taken even longer if I hadn't done that. I am keeping the temperature around 65 for my bluegill which will arrive next week! :)

Comment by Matt Rosso on April 24, 2013 at 9:35pm

Yea, I don't think I'm going there if it's the one i'm thinking of but, thanks for the suggestion.  I just need to know what it is we're doing to the system during "the cycle"

Moderator Comment by Bob Terrell on April 24, 2013 at 9:12pm

Matt, do a search for peeponics.  It is one of many ways to cycle without fish.

Comment by Matt Rosso on April 24, 2013 at 9:06pm

I have heard Ms/ Bernstien talk about cycling your systems for a week or so.. Don't think I know what all thats about.

Comment by Matt Rosso on April 24, 2013 at 9:00pm

I just built a wood tank that will have bluegills,  how do i cycle the system before the fish come?

Moderator Comment by Bob Terrell on April 24, 2013 at 8:38pm

Jim,  I was just answering Anthonys question about what DO was, I don't have a DO meter and can live without it also.

Comment by Jim Fisk on April 24, 2013 at 1:53pm

Hey Anthony, just hang around here for awhile and it will all make sense. Learning any new language takes time

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