Hi guys, I have this ADA Amazonia soil, which I cycled for a month and I took some of it out to dry because the pH in my tank was too low.
Now I resetted my tank, I added in new bacteria and topped up the soil that I air dried. Yesterday I realized the ammonia level in my tank is 0.
So I'm wondering if my soil will still leech out anymore ammonia? Or do I need to add ammonia in?
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Sounds like the majority of the aquasoil's initial ammonia content have already leached out during the first month you used it. The soil is designed to do that to boost initial plant growth.
It is probably still releasing some ammonia, but at slower rate and at lower amounts that your current beneficial bacteria or plants can consume quickly, which might explain why it doesn't show up on test kit measurements anymore.
Oh! No wonder my ammonia levels are 0.
Then can I still use the soil to cycle my tank? Will the process be much slower because the initial ammonia have been leeched already ?
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Well, if you are more keen to add livestock earlier, having a soil with lower ammonia levels could be a plus point, the beneficial bacteria population it creates may be smaller but it allows for livestock to be added earlier... many shrimp keepers prefer to use soil which release less ammonia so that can add in their shrimps quicker.Originally Posted by Atlas
On the other-hand, if you want to rely on ammonia released from the aquasoil to grow a large beneficial bacteria population and create a strong cycle (in preparation to add a high bio-load of livestock at once), then i guess you'll just have to use a new batch of aquasoil to generate more ammonia. Alternatively, you could also add in an alternative ammonia supply too (ie. liquid/powder ammonia or rotting fish food).
Do note that beneficial bacteria populations will only grow to the size which match the ammonia supply, so even if you use alot of ammonia initially to grow alot of the bacteria, if subsequently the actual bio-load in the tank is lower and their ammonia production is minimal, most of the excess bacteria will still just die off anyways. So its just a matter of setting it up according to your planned bio-load.
Oh. So it's according my to bio-load. I guess I can try adding some shrimps now. Thanks for the help UA
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No probs... btw, if you are taking the route of introducing shrimps earlier, try to only add small batches at a time, so that the existing beneficial bacteria can have time to grow and handle their bio-load. In a sense, this will be like a gradual on-going "shrimp-in" cycle process.Oh. So it's according my to bio-load. I guess I can try adding some shrimps now
Hey! Did you do water changes while cycling your tank with soil? Cuz I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do water changes.. If I do won't the ammonia be removed and wouldn't that slow down the bacteria growth?
Since its on ADA soil, pardon me to ride on the track, are these white stuff on the Soil consider mold?uploadfromtaptalk1446981396615.jpg
If its white and fluffy (looks abit like cotton wool), then its most likely mold or fungus growth.
Hi UA, It doesn't look fluffy. Look some sort like its individually white coated. I left it unattended for a few days and some of it turn slight white.
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A close up of it would help alot in the identification... though i guess it could just be a type of mold.
uploadfromtaptalk1446983753422.jpg
Here it is.
Hmmm... based on that photo, kinda looks like just dry soil?
Maybe just flatten the soil and mist it abit more often so that its kept hydrated.
That's great! You always give me assurance...Hmmm... based on that photo, kinda looks like just dry soil?
Maybe just flatten the soil and mist it abit more often so that its kept hydrated.
Thanks UA!
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Guys do y'all do water changes when cycling with soil?
It all depends on your tank setup...
If its an aquascaped tank with lots of fast growing plants and you need the ammonia and nutrients from the soil to grow them out, then there is less need to do water changes during the initial cycling period (since that will just be flushing out the ammonia that the plants need to use to grow anyways). Usually most people will just do a regular 20% weekly water change just to refresh the water during the cycling period. Some don't even do any water changes at all until the plants grow out and the tank is fully cycled.
On the other-hand, if its a shrimp breeding tank and you are only using the soil for its buffering ability, or have very little or no fast growing plants in the tank, then have to do more frequent and larger water changes to flush out all the excess ammonia that wouldn't be used anyways.
Hmmm alright!! Thanks UA! I'm doing a shrimp breeding tank and I've done 2 really huge water changes in 3 weeks (90%) water change.. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do but oh well~
Do not do such massive water changes, not good. Try to limit it to 50% max. Best is 25% ~ 35%. Especially when breeding cause the young shrimplet cannot take sych drastic changes
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Oh you misunderstood me! I'm still cycling the tank! There's no shrimps in it yet don't worry HAHA
Ooh okok glad thats the case
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