Cycling a new system

[Tom Hack]

I was in Pet Smart  getting a water test kit and I saw a small box of pond filter bacteria. I claims to quickly start bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrates (2 step process).  The description on the box sounded just like what we need to have happen in our systems.  The question is has anyone used this before?  Do you think this would be a good way to speed up cycling and could it be add into a system that is starting up using sea kelp extract?  

I am impatient an don't want to wait the 2 weeks to add fish.

Thanks,

Tom

[Bob Campbell]

I'd like to share my experience.  The stuff they sell such as NiteOut and Aqua Gold has never done anything for me except adjust my bank account.

These bacteria die so easily that it seems to me impossible to stick it in a bottle, or dry it into a powder and then put it on the shelf for days or months and then expect it to still be alive.  AguaGold says it has actual living bacteria and enzymes in concentrated form.  NiteOut also claims to have two types of bacteria.  Maybe so but I think it's dead.  Neither one did anything for me.

I'm glad you are waiting to add fish.  There are benefits to fishless cycling that allow the process to happen more quickly. Without fish in the way you can adjust temperature, pH, and Ammonia creating the ideal environment for the bacteria. Once established the bacteria will be more robust. 

But don't add fish until the pH, iron and magnesium all settle in.  If you use pee it is best to let it age in order to turn into ammonia first.  This is not entirely necessary and to tell you the truth I've always added my urine fresh. 

I like that urine has other nutrients and it seems more natural.

[Paul Trudeau]

Tom, there are lots of variations on how to start a system, but I do think being patient would go far in increasing your chances of success.  

I have a book by Dr. Rakocy ("Aquaponics Q&A") with a section devoted entirely to questions like yours.  Can't get much better than that for an authoritative source.  Email me if you want to borrow the book.

Paul    [e-mail]

[Bob Campbell]

@Paul

The topic has been rehashed so many times, but I'm wondering if there are some gems you can share from the book.

[Paul Trudeau]

not right now, up to eyeballs in alligators at the moment with State Fair.  

Alternatively, book is available from Nelson & Pade.  Pricey, but the more I read it, the more I appreciate it.

Bob Campbell said:

@Paul

The topic has been rehashed so many times, but I'm wondering if there are some gems you can share from the book.

[joe]

As I recall there was no research showing any improvement in cycling times.

I would just add fish it will cycle naturally on its own

[Tom Hack]

While we are on this topic has anyone tried to take some media from an established system to speed up the process.  It seems to me that the bacteria could live for a while in media an fish water.

 

Is this worth any investigation.

 

Tom

[Paul Trudeau]

Tom, yes, I've heard from different sources that I consider reliable that borrowing media (or filter pads, or even tankn water) is a valid practice for speeding the process.  I tried it recently in setting up one of the systems for the State Fair and although I was less than consistent with taking daily water quality readings, the readings I did take seemed to indicate that it cycled quite quickly.

[Bob Campbell]

My experience is the Nitrite to Nitrate bacteria did not transfer well.   Also the time it's out of the tank must be kept to a minimum because it will not last long.  I've never tried aeration during transport, but that might make a difference.

[Earl ward]

I have used bacteria from Aquatic Eco to do a fish less cycle it worked out very well. I cannot say anything about the stuff from Pets Smart or any other pet shop as stated earlier, the bacteria will die rather quickly. I would be afraid of how long it’s been on the shelf. Just my thoughts be patient and good luck

[Bob Campbell]

@Earl -  How long did it take to get the Nitrites down. 

NiteOut was OK for Ammonia, but it did nothing for Nitrites despite the name.

[Earl ward]

It took about a week I added pure ammonia to get it to 3 ppm when nitrate showed up I waited till nitrates dropped to about 1 ppm. Then added more ammonia the same amount I did the first time ammonia went to 1 ppm nitrites stayed at 2  when both went to 0 and nitrates showed up added more ammonia checked it the next day  both were at 0 then added fish. Still had swings but nothing to alarming.

Bob Campbell said:

@Earl -  How long did it take to get the Nitrites down. 

NiteOut was OK for Ammonia, but it did nothing for Nitrites despite the name.

[Earl ward]

Sorry for 2^nd post it should have said: It took about a week I added pure ammonia to get it to 3 ppm. When nitrite showed up I waited till nitrites dropped to about 1 ppm. Then added more ammonia the same amount I did the first time, ammonia went to 1 ppm nitrites stayed at 2 when both went to 0 and nitrates showed up added more ammonia checked it the next day both nitrite and ammonia was at 0 then added fish. Still had swings but nothing to alarming.

FYI pure Ammonia was sourced at ace hardware, everywhere else I looked at always contained some sort of for a better word perfume to make it lemon scented