fishless cycling

[momopoms]

I have followed fishless cycling information at :

http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html

but have a question maybe someome can answer.

Once I have added ammonia and nitrites appear, it instructs to continue to add half the original amount of ammonia daily.
Then what should I do?

I have nitrites of 5.0 and nitrates of 5.0 do I continue to just monitor the levels expecting them to eventually level off on their own, or do I do a water change to reduce the levels of nitrites and nitrates?

thanks:confused: :confused:

[VoodooChild]

I wouldn't bother adding ammonia anymore since you're starting to see nitrates. You're there for the most part. I'd wait until the nitrites hit zero, which they should do within the next week, and then do a couple of water changes to get the 'trates down to add fish. I'd try and do that as quickly as possible so the bacteria doesn't start to die off.

[stoopid]

Hmmm... although I've never fishless cycled, from my understanding of the process, continue adding the half-ammonia dose, and when the nitrites start dipping and ammonia stays constant, but the nitrates rise, you should be in good shape (to add fish).

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

[stoopid]

Originally posted by VoodooChild
I wouldn't bother adding ammonia anymore since you're starting to see nitrates.

I thought the presence of ammonia "feeds" the presence of the nitrites? Wouldn't removing ammonia throw the balance off?

[RTR]

Yes, the continued addition of ammonia feeds the ammonia->nitrite bacteria. Otherwise, what will keep them fat and happy?

[momopoms]

should i stop adding ammonia and just wait for the nitrate and nitrites to fall to 0 or what?

[famman]

Continue to add ammonia at 1/2 the original amount to cause the original spike of 4ppm ammonia.
The idea is not just to culture the bacteria, it is to culture a robust colony of bacteria.
You want them strong enough to pull the 2 ppm ammonia down to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites by the next morning.
good luck
:)

[momopoms]

what am i to expect a reduction to 0 within 24 hours? If this happens am i then finished?

[JSchmidt]

You are finished when you can dose you tank with ammonia (at whatever concentration you're using; I dose mine to 5 ppm throughout fishless cycling) and within 24 hours your test show zero ammonia and zero nitrites.

Many people report that developing the nitrite-eaters takes longer than developing the ammonia-eaters, so be patient. Now is also a good time to re-innoculate with seed material (filter squeezings, gravel, etc.) if you have access to them.

HTH,
Jim