There are plenty of well written and detailed articles on the internet about fishless cycling of aquariums. The goal of this thread is to pass on my own experience as a reference for other members. This is my first attempt to cycle a new aquarium without the use of fish, so I am far from an expert on this topic. I decided to try fishless cycling for two main reasons: 1) It is quicker than traditional cycling with starter fish. 2) I don't have to subject any fish to potentially lethal levels of ammonia and nitrite.

Tank Details:
75 gallon freshwater setup complete with fine gravel and decorations. Water temperature set at 84 deg F. Two Hang On Back filters set at full flow to ensure highly oxygenated water. I added one filter sponge and a piece a driftwood from an established aquarium to seed in beneficial bacteria.


Items Needed:
Ammonia, measuring cups, Ammonia test kit, Nitrite test kit.


Process:
Day 1: Added 7 Tbsp of clear ammonia solution to achieve an ammonia concentration level of 6 ppm.

Day 2: Status Ammonia 6 ppm - Nitrite 0 ppm

Day 3: Status Ammonia 6 ppm - Nitrite 0 ppm

Day 4: Status Ammonia 5 ppm - Nitrite .05 ppm

Day 5: Status Ammonia 5 ppm - Nitrite 0.1 ppm

Day 6: Status Ammonia 4 ppm - Nitrite 0.2 ppm

Day 7: Status Ammonia 3 ppm - Nitrite 0.3 ppm (Added 1 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 8: Status Ammonia 4 ppm - Nitrite 0.4 ppm

Day 9: Status Ammonia 2 ppm - Nitrite 0.8 ppm (Added 1 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 10: Status Ammonia 1 ppm - Nitrite 1.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 11: Status Ammonia 2 ppm - Nitrite 1.0 pmm (Added 1 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 12: Status Ammonia 2 ppm - Nitrite 1.2 ppm (Added 1 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 13: Status Ammonia 1 ppm - Nitrite 1.4 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 14: Status Ammonia 0.5 ppm - Nitrite 1.6 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 15: Status Ammonia 0.5 ppm - Nitrite 1.8 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 16: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 2.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 17: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 2.5 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 18: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 3.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 19: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 3.5 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 20: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 4.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 21: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 4.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 22: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 2.5 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 23: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 1.0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)

Day 24: Status Ammonia 0 ppm - Nitrite 0 ppm (Added 2 Tbsp of Ammonia after testing)


Cycling Completed

Bump for updates...

As you can see from the original post, the new aquarium is processing 2 Tbsp of Ammonia solution per day.

The tank will be ready for fish as soon as the Nitrite level falls back to zero

My first attempt at fishless cycling ended after 24 days with an aquarium that is completely cycled and ready for fish.


The beneficial bacteria in the aquarium can process 2 Tablespoons of Ammonia solution each day.



Based on my own prior cycling experiences using starter fish, I conclude that fishless cycling is approximately 10 - 15 days quicker.



I hope this information helps others decide to try fishless cycling when setting up their next aquarium



Best Regards,



Jeff

Thank you so much for this. I have been reading sooo much on fishless cycling it has my head spinning!


I finally added some ammonia to my take yesterday and I went overboard.

My ammonia is 7.3, while my ph is 7.6. Do I let it just sit until it gets down to 5ppm? or do I take some water out and go from there?

My tank has been set-up since Saturday 11/27, but I just got around to starting the cycle yesterday. ANY advice is appreciated. Your post is the 1st one I really understood as you put it in step by step basis...which I appreciate!

Fwiw, I have a 55g freshwater tank.

dondosae1 wrote:Thank you so much for this. I have been reading sooo much on fishless cycling it has my head spinning!


I finally added some ammonia to my take yesterday and I went overboard.

My ammonia is 7.3, while my ph is 7.6. Do I let it just sit until it gets down to 5ppm? or do I take some water out and go from there?

My tank has been set-up since Saturday 11/27, but I just got around to starting the cycle yesterday. ANY advice is appreciated. Your post is the 1st one I really understood as you put it in step by step basis...which I appreciate!

Fwiw, I have a 55g freshwater tank.

I would just leave it alone. The bacteria will slowly begin to build up and bring your ammonia ppm down some. As you can see from my data, it took a few days before I had to add anymore ammonia. Once your ammonia begins coming down, I would target 4 - 6 ppm depending on your particular ammonia test kit readings.



Good luck and keep us posted on your results.

Alright I am on Day 10.
0 on Ammonia
3.3 on Nitrite
7.6 on PH

I am comparing results and it appears I am on the right track. I am gonna add some ammonia and see how quickly it takes to cycle it.
Hopefully I'll test tomorrow and it will be gone again.
My water is a bit cloudy, normal?


Also, how many water changes did you do? I hate to thread jack, sorry!!!!
Thanks.

dondosae1 wrote:Alright I am on Day 10.
0 on Ammonia
3.3 on Nitrite
7.6 on PH

I am comparing results and it appears I am on the right track. I am gonna add some ammonia and see how quickly it takes to cycle it.
Hopefully I'll test tomorrow and it will be gone again.
My water is a bit cloudy, normal?

Also, how many water changes did you do? I hate to thread jack, sorry!!!!
Thanks.

Wow, looks like you tank is doing very well and quickly. Great Job! By the looks of your numbers, you will be done cycling in another 5 - 10 days. Make sure not to let the tank run out of ammonia for more than a day or your bacteria will start to die back. As you can see by my post, near the end, I was adding ammonia every day and by the next day the tank had zero ammonia left in it.

As long as you use good clear or pure ammonia without detergent or dyes, you don't need to do a huge water change, as suggested by other articles. For example, I only did a 25% change on my 75g tank. The key here is to make sure the NitrAte ppm isn't too high. I do suggest that you put fresh filter media and activated carbon when the tank completes the cycle. The fresh carbon will absorb any impurities that were mixed in with your ammonia supply.

My water was also slightly clowdy up until near the end when it cleared right up. I wouldn't worry about it until then. You can always add in a water clearing aquarium additive once the cycling completes.

Keep up the good work and spread the word about Fishless Cycling.

Nitrites are still pretty high, but everything else is the same. My wife thinks (judging by the color) the Nitrites are higher than the 3.3...I still say they are 3.3.


I have a 55 gallon, so I have only been adding 1 tbsp of ammonia.



My tank really cleared up today. It isn't crystal clear, but it is clearer than it has ever been since starting the cycle. Hoping for a just a few more days of cycling. Would love to have fish by Christmas.

I have read your post regarding fishless cycling which is what I am going to begin today. Just filled up my tank, which is a 36 Gallon corner bow. So far I have my filter together with a pro head to circulate the water. The only thing I have put in so far is the tap water conditioner.


Going out to purchase the ammonia but a question I have is it really necessary to have some other items from another tank to assist in the cycling? I do have a desk tank (5 Gallon) which has a small piece of driftwood in it. Would it be advisable to take that piece of driftwood and put into my 36 gallon tank at home while adding in the ammonia measurements?



Thanks

leiteone wrote:... a question I have is it really necessary to have some other items from another tank to assist in the cycling?

No it is not necessary. There is plenty of bacteria floating around. Adding items from another tank can speed up the process a few days, but it is not required.



Good Luck and please keep this thread updated with your results.



p.s. I am thrilled that my post has convinced a few people to try out Fishless Cycling. I really do believe it is a better and more humane process.