"Dale Henderson" wrote in message
...
"NetMax" writes:

"Dale Henderson" wrote in message
...

I am trying to perform a fishless cycle on my aquarium. Currently
I'm
adding 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia nightly (enough to bring the
concentration to 2ppm) and the next day my ammonia level is zero.

This is good.

My concern is my Nitrite. About two weeks ago it spiked to 5ppm and
recently (about 5 days ago) it has fallen and held steady at
2ppm. So my question is how long should I expect the nitrite to be
this high?

Either your filter is too small, or the presence of ammonia is
inhibiting
the bacteria which consume the nitrite. I would stop adding ammonia.


My aquarium is a 20 gallon with an undergravel filter and a power
filter. Each big enough for the aquarium.

After I read this post I looked at my filters. I first noticed I was
getting no flow through the power filter. After cleaning the rocks out
of the impellar and putting it back toghether It worked perfectly.

Then looking at the undergravel filter I noticed very little air
escaping from the top of the tubes. And realized that the airstones
are clogged and need replaced. So I removed the airstones and I seem
to have good flow. (I plan to buy new airstones when I get the
chance).But now I'm curious as to whether the airstones are really
necessary and what function they perform.

Clogged filters would explain the underfiltration. You can operate a UGF
with or without airstones. The first designs didn't use airstones. I
find that the airstones make it a little more controllable.

I also reread the fishless cycling pages and raised my temperature to
~90F. So now I can wait and see.

Might be nebulous advice. There are millions of strains of bacteria, and
the one you want is what will be matching your environment (pH, hardness,
temperature etc). Creating an artificial environment (90F) not only
promotes the wrong (or less ideal bacteria strain), but I think inhibits
bacterial growth. Elevated temperatures are a technique to kill bacteria
(ask any Discus owner). ymmv

I am a little leary of stopping the ammonia. I'm concerned that my
ammonia-eating bacteria will starve.

That's generally not a problem as these bacteria go dormant as a regular
part of their routine, however the presence of ammonia has been
documented to inhibit the formation of nitrobacter, leading to what is
known as a never-ending cycle. Google the archives for testimonials. If
in doubt, then stop the ammonia for 2-3 days, and then re-start at your
discretion at some interval (every 2-3 days?). I've done fishless cycles
with only a single application of ammonia to 5ppm. Seemed to work fine.
--
www.NetMax.tk