Cycling new Pond

[Birdman]

Several people were interested in how long it took to cycle my new pond with the lava rock shower. Things have been going well and I will add some more fish today. Here's a recap.

3/25, Pond was filled and main filtration started . 6,700 gal, 750 of that in filters, about 50 degrees. Added 3 ppm ammonia.

4/5, started shower with lava rock from old pond. Ammonia still 3 ppm, nitrite 0.

4/13, ammonia almost down to 0, nitrite .5 ppm. Added 3 fish about 16 inches each.

4/14, saw slight rize in ammonia and nitrites, salted the pond with 50 lbs salt.

4/16, ammonia almost down to 0 again, nitrites down to .25 ppm, 3 fish doing very well, so I added 2 more fish.

4/18, yesterday. Did my 1st water change. Dumped and cleaned the vortex. About 500 gal water change. Not a lot of stuff in it but enough to make me want to clean it. I'm not seeing any alge groth in the pond but a slight green coloration in the filter and vortex tanks. Water super clear, no UVs yet.

4/19, today, just checked water and ammonia almost 0 again, nitrites down to .25 ppm. 6 fish all doing well, eating good, getting wheat germ once a day, seam to be happy. Water temp still in the mid 50s. Going to add 2 or 3 more fish today.

This cycling process seams to be going well and fairly quickly. Now is this due to the seeded lava rock , or the concept behind a shower? I don't think the fluid bed filters are doing much yet. Just my thoughts, Any other ideas?

[Russell Peters]

I would say that having the seeded rock was a very smart move and is what is responsible for your quick cycling times.

[dick benbow]

I agree with Russ. Altho for those who plan to start their filters (new) from established ones (old)...k-i is a lot easier to move! LOL

[KoiCop]

Birdman . . .

Going well so far.

But I'm curious as to why you haven't mentioned your nitrate levels?

Ammonia to nitrite is only the first step -- whereas nitrite to nitrate marks the beginning of the end of the nitrogen cycle.

[Birdman]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow k-i is a lot easier to move! LOL

Boy that's the truth Dick. Took two of us 6 hours of shoveling and rinsing to move the lava rock.

[Birdman]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Birdman . . . But I'm curious as to why you haven't mentioned your nitrate levels? .

Just an oversight on my part. I just started checking nitrate a few days ago and it was just starting to show. It's up to 7 ppm now.

[Birdman]

Added three more fish yesterday. This mornings readings
ammonia less than .25 ppm
nitrite .25 ppm
nitrate 7 ppm

[KoiCop]

Thanks for the update. All appears to be well and I'm glad you're tracking the nitrate, too.

[Birdman]

Well that's that I guess. Tonight's readings,
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5
That didn't take near as long as I thought it would. Fish all doing very good.

[powerman]

i was thinking of taking some media from the homemade shower in my garage set up and swapping it with some media from my out door pond to get it started...looks like it worked really good for you..thanks for sharing