Tank Cycling and Water Volume

[AlfaRomeo]

Hiya,

Is there a relationship between the water volume of the tank and the cycling period and danger?

This is how I see it, lets say with a fixed amount of carbon and decaying matter.. lets say 100g of prawn is used to kickstart the cycling process.

Logically, 100g of decaying matter in 100L of water will potentially be more lethal than 100g of decaying matter in 1000L of water in terms of mg/l or ppm for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate rite?

In the above example, the 1000L will have 1/10 of the levels of Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate in the various cycling stages?

So what exactly is harmful to the LS? the total amount of ammonia/nitrate/nitrite in the tank? (which is constant in both examples) or high levels of ppm or mg/L?

[bawater]

Is there a relationship between the water volume of the tank and the cycling period and danger?

There may be some difference in cycle time- it does not only apply to volume, but also the amount of bacteria and media in which the bacteria can colonize. Depending on how much LR is used and other aspects of filtration.

The timed guideline given is just that! a guideline. The only way you know personally is by testing the water for the various parameters which indicated that your cycle is done.

Logically, 100g of decaying matter in 100L of water will potentially be more lethal than 100g of decaying matter in 1000L of water in terms of mg/l or ppm for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate rite?

In theory yes . Usually ppl with smaller tanks do use a smaller piece of prawn meat. I don't like the idea of putting something to rot in the tank because by adding LR to a new tank you already will have the ammonia to jump start everything. And if you don't use rocks at all - bacteria will drop into your tank for free....just that it takes many many weeks longer.

In the above example, the 1000L will have 1/10 of the levels of Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate in the various cycling stages?

It may not be the case - If the 1000L has a big filter and enough filter media...the only difference you may see is that the prawn decays faster as the bacteria population multiplies in the bigger surface area given.

Unless the 2 setups are indentical then you will have 1/10th levels- otherwise cycling time and levels will differ for sure.

So what exactly is harmful to the LS? the total amount of ammonia/nitrate/nitrite in the tank? (which is constant in both examples) or high levels of ppm or mg/L?

You need to read zero ammonia,zero nitrite. (these 2 are harmful and can kill LS instantly or in short periods at certain levels) Test kits will provide the danger levels guide in the instructions.

If you test for any of the 2 - either you have not fully cycled or you have a filtration problem.

LS will tolerate Nitrate to certain levels- and if you do not provide Nitrate reduction methods in the tank...then this will accumilate.

The end product of the basic cycle is nitrates - you will need to look into NNR methods or other methods out there to process this.

[AlfaRomeo]

Thanks Bawater, that explanation certainly clears up a lot of my questions and i am sure other ppl's questions too!

Cheers