posted 02-25-2004 09:30 PM         

A quick summary of the fishless method of cycling:
While a tank is in the process of cycling, the levels of ammonia and nitrIte can raise to levels that will kill fish. So, the best way to cycle a tank is using the fishless method. This involves adding pure ammonia to the tank (no fish present) and monitoring the levels of nitrIte & nitrAte.

You will add ammonia to the tank (generally 5ppm) every day. As the first type of bacteria begins to grow, it will start converting the ammonia into nitrIte. At this point you will see a spike in the nitrIte levels. After a while, the second type of bacteria will begin to grow and start converting the nitrIte into nitrAte. When that happens, your nitrIte levels will start to decrease and the nitrAte levels will increase.

You will know the tank is fully cycled when you can add the 5ppm ammonia and within 24 hours your readings are 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrIte, and registerable nitrAtes.

Here is a more detailed article on fishless cycling: http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html

Also, something to note is the only way to remove nitrAte from the water is by either having large numbers of live plants or doing water changes. And the ideal level for nitrAtes is less than 20ppm.