This is my log on my 29 gal. fishless cycle tank (tank set up 1 inch of gravel (old gravel but cleaned in tap water) that's all). Started off dechlorinated water, added 3tblsp. of aquar. salt. *readings: nh3 0, no2 0, no3 0, ph 7.0 Temp. held at 79 o F running 8" air wand (bacteria source will be squeezings from filter floss placed in 7 other tanks outside filters)

Key - AMM (solution of ammonia); NH3 (Ammonia); NO2 (Nitrite); NO3 (Nitrate), readings are in ppm (Parts per million) and Mg/L (Milligrams per Litre).

Day #1 [3-3-01] Added 1 tblsp.of AMM. all at once to water,*readings: nh3 5-6, no2 0, no3 0, ph 7.2; end of first day added bacteria source....
Day #2 [3-4-01] Added 0 AMM. Readings : nh3 5-6, no2 1.5, no3 0, ph 7.4.
Day #3 [3-5-01] Added 0 AMM. Readings : nh3 2-3, no2 5++, no3 0, ph 7.6, end of third day added more bacteria source.
Day #4 [3-6-01] nh3 tested 0, added 1 1/2 tsp. AMM. *current reading : nh3 0.5-1, no2 5+, no3 2-3, ph 7.4.
DAY #5 [3-7-01] nh3 tested 0, added 2 tsp. AMM. *current reading : nh3 1-2, no2 5+, no3 3-4, ph 7.4.
DAY #6 [3-8-01] nh3 tested 0, added 2 1/2 tsp. AMM. *current reading: nh3 2-3, no2 5+, no3 8-10, ph 7.2.
DAY #7 [3-9-01] nh3 tested 0, added 1 1/2 tsp.AMM. *current reading: nh3 1-2, no2 5+, no3 1-2, ph 7.0.
DAY #8 [3-10-01] nh3 tested 0, added 2 tsp. AMM. *current reading: nh3 1-2, no2 5, no3 3-4, ph 7.0.
DAY #9 [3-11-01] nh3 tested 0, added 2 tsp. AMM. *current reading: nh3 1-2, no2 5, no3 5, ph 7.0.
DAY #10 [3-12-01] nh3 tested 0, added 2 tsp. AMM. *current reading: nh3 1-2, no2 5, no3 5, ph 7.0.
DAY #11 [3-13-01] Added O AMM. Readings: nh3 0, no2 2, no3 10, ph 6.8.
DAY #12 [3-14-01] Added 0 AMM. Readings: nh3 0, no2 2, no3 10, ph 6.6.
DAY #13 [3-15-01] Added 0 AMM. Readings: nh3 0, no2 0.5, no3 20, ph 6.6.
DAY #14 [3-16-01] Added 0 AMM. Readings: nh3 0, no2 0, nh3 20, ph 6.6.

Click here, another Fishless diary