Cycling question?

My test kit is brand new, it is the Red Sea brand. I didn't start testing until 6 days after I added the shrimp the first time, because I heard this is when you should see the ammonia spike.

I've added 6 more raw shrimp and I am having a nitrite spike again, but no ammonia spike yet. Do you think that I will see an ammonia spike this time since I already have some beneficial bacteria present.

Thanks for your help,
Thresa Aguayo
 
Ah...Waiting 6 days to start testing is likely why you didn't see a spike. The ammonia starts showing up very quickly, and if there is any bacteria present, the population starts increasing overnight--basically, bacteria are always doubling in size, but when the food is limited, many die. So, when the food becomes more plentiful, the bacteria are quickly able to expand population size to use the new food source. Adding more now might show a small spike, but nothing significant.
 
I am going to leave the new shrimp in for a couple of days and see what happens. I really appreciate all of your help.
Thanks,
Thresa
 
Nitrite Drop

Just saw a nitrite drop and got reminded by my wife that I didnt start testing until about 3 days after the initial entry of lr (put in 20lbs and then 3 days later another 60+lbs). Probably the reason, but I guess we'll see! Next thing I have to get is a protein skimmer, although it seems like my filter is doing a pretty good job at this point - still, may ask Santa :)
 
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