AF biofil for cycle

[collinnelson9]

I have yet to see a post on using biofil to speed up the cycling process. I’m using 60ish pounds of af rock in my 80 gallon tank and 80 pounds of arag alive sand.(40 pounds was rinsed bc it was expired) I’m using my go to Microbacter start and Microbacter 7 but on top of that im using 1200 mL of af biofil. My last cycle using Microbacter start and 7 it took around 12 days to cycle. I’ll keep everyone posted.

 

[collinnelson9]

Might have to run out and grab a new ammonia test kit bc it was showing 0 ammonia 2 hours later (salifert). Now testing nitrites (salifert) and it turned a light pink would be more promising if it turned a dark pink. Will be testing nitrates (hanna) soon.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The issue is that mb7 is not just nitrifiers but other species that can consume ammonia and not make nitrite.

 

[collinnelson9]

The issue is that mb7 is not just nitrifiers but other species that can consume ammonia and not make nitrite.

Holy smokes it all makes sense now. I thought the ammonia I was dosing to my last 3 cycles was weaker than listed.

 

[collinnelson9]

One of these times I’ll find an accurate ammonia tester. 80 gallon tank 35-40 gallons in the sump dosed 1ml per 4 gallons and dosed for 90 gallons bc of the space taken up by rock and sand. Salifert 0. API 8. Ik api is dog **** at best but 0 is just as bad of a reading. So I did a 10% water change then I’m just gonna let it brew for 5 days.