Fishless Cycle/Nitrate too low?
- Thread starter shockwave191
- Start date
rbishop,
Thanks for the reply. I have tested the tank by dosing it at a level of around 3ppm of ammonia. I then waited 24 hours to see if the ammonia and nitrite would drop to zero. As you know the tank is not cycled.
Anyway no problem I will have to cycle it again. It just means more time. However, this time I read your cycling thread at the top of this forum group. I have one question so, I can understand. At the beginning of the third paragraph where you write, "There will be a day when the nitrite drops to zero...." do I continue to maintain a 3ppm ammonia level at that point? In other words is there ever a time to stop maintianing the ammonia? If you would please clarify for a slow learner.
Thanks
Thanks for the reply. I have tested the tank by dosing it at a level of around 3ppm of ammonia. I then waited 24 hours to see if the ammonia and nitrite would drop to zero. As you know the tank is not cycled.
Anyway no problem I will have to cycle it again. It just means more time. However, this time I read your cycling thread at the top of this forum group. I have one question so, I can understand. At the beginning of the third paragraph where you write, "There will be a day when the nitrite drops to zero...." do I continue to maintain a 3ppm ammonia level at that point? In other words is there ever a time to stop maintianing the ammonia? If you would please clarify for a slow learner.
Thanks
Yep, I keep it up since you still need to "feed" the first bacteria.
When you dose and 24 hrs later, both ammonia and nitrite read zero, it is time for that big water change.
When you see the nitrites starting to come back down, start tracking the nitrates, you will see them climbing thru the roof. The final water change is what will lower those nitrates. It may take a couple of large water changes.
When you dose and 24 hrs later, both ammonia and nitrite read zero, it is time for that big water change.
When you see the nitrites starting to come back down, start tracking the nitrates, you will see them climbing thru the roof. The final water change is what will lower those nitrates. It may take a couple of large water changes.
stop adding ammonia when the cycle is complete and you are ready to add fish, and then put the fish in there within a couple days. if the cycle is done and you are not going to be able to add fish right away, continue adding ammonia.
Wataugachicken and rbishop,
Thanks for the replies. I now understand to keep adding ammonia. The only time to stop is just before adding fish. Right now my ammonia is around 3 to 4 ppm and no nitrites at this time. Oldman47 was hoping that the cycling would go quicker this time due to some bacteria being present. In my case not sure if that will happen. Meanwhile back to cycling.
Chris
Thanks for the replies. I now understand to keep adding ammonia. The only time to stop is just before adding fish. Right now my ammonia is around 3 to 4 ppm and no nitrites at this time. Oldman47 was hoping that the cycling would go quicker this time due to some bacteria being present. In my case not sure if that will happen. Meanwhile back to cycling.
Chris
And don't delay in adding plants - they will enjoy the ammonia too and need time to establish. I am impatient so add fish within 2 days of setting up a new tank, but I put a lot of plants in straight away and make big water changes every week (50%), so that has kept things sweet for me. I admire your patience in doing fishless cycling! Good luck and I am sure you will be pleased you stuck to it when your fish thrive!
oscaremmy,
Thanks for the reply. This raises a question I have being I'm getting conflicting info. The way I have been instructed is to wait on the plants. The reasoning behind it is because plants use up the nitrates. Being I technically don't have any nitrates at this time it would not benefit the plants as well as slow down my cycling. However, the other side is add the plants now. Plants like the ammonia and plants may quicken the cycling. So, if you or anyone else is willing to comment, I will gladly listen.
Thanks
Chris
Thanks for the reply. This raises a question I have being I'm getting conflicting info. The way I have been instructed is to wait on the plants. The reasoning behind it is because plants use up the nitrates. Being I technically don't have any nitrates at this time it would not benefit the plants as well as slow down my cycling. However, the other side is add the plants now. Plants like the ammonia and plants may quicken the cycling. So, if you or anyone else is willing to comment, I will gladly listen.
Thanks
Chris
