Q? on Fishless Cycling

G

GeoPappas

AC Members
Jul 5, 2007
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Suburbs of Raleigh, NC
The thread on freshwater cycling (@ http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598) has a section on fishless cycling (Section 2). In that section it states to start out with ammonia at 5 ppm, but then it reduces it to 3-4 ppm and then 2-3 ppm once ammonia is starting to cycle.

Why the reduction in ammonia levels?

I'm not complaining, just trying to understand why the change in ammonia levels is needed.
 
it's not needed. i usually keep mine at 4ppm the whole time..

it might just be that its nearly impossible for fish waste to build up that high in a day, so there's no point in wasting the ammonia.. but ammonia is dirt cheap anyway.. so i just keep it at 4ppm every day.
another reason they say that might be to make it easier on the fishkeeper. its easier to add a small amount than a large one.. and if you aim for 2-3ppm then it'll be okay if you accidentally overdose. but if you aim for 5ppm and you overdose to 6 or 7 ppm, then you can stall your cycle, and you may have to start all over.

good question though.
 
Just keep it around 4ppm ...this seems to be a good number and will build a large enough colony of good bacteria to handle most any stocking. I also agree that going over 6ppm can sometimes stall a cycle out so the 3-4ppm mark makes it easier to dose ....after awhile of dosing ammonia you will get a pretty good idea of how much it takes to get you to the 4ppm mark ...I used a small spoon to measure mine....

Also here is alittle tip...try to measure your dose over a bowl or sink and not over the tank itself.... I had an ammonia overdose when I first started my cycle because I poured too much and it all went in the water and I had to do a water change to get the ammonia levels lower.
 
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