Think my cycle started, Questions

T

Tedzbug

AC Members
Aug 16, 2008
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0
Warren, Michigan
So i started my 70 gallon on 8/23 sat and dosed it with Ammonia on 8/24 - 8/25 and got it up to 5.5 ppm, up until 8/31 it still tested 5.5ppm and 0 nitrites.

Yesterday 9/2 it tested Ammonia 4.0ppm and 1.0 Nitrites
Today 9/3 Ammonia 1.5, nitrites 2.0, nitrates 8.0


What does this mean? How much ammonia do i add?
 
i just completed my 55g cycle and dosed ammonia daily to keep about 2-3 ppm. the stage you are in now is the longest and most frustrating, waiting for those pesky nitrites to disappear.
 
bring it back to 2-3 ppm ammonia and keep testing...
 
You need to keep "feeding"the ammonia bacteria that have already colonized,so get it back up to 5ppm and keep it there until the cycle completes.When the ammonia can go from 5ppm to 0ppm within 12 hours,and there are 0ppm nitrites,the cycle has completed.Getting the nitrites back to 0ppm will take the longest.So be patient,but make sure not to starve off the bacteria that you have now by letting the ammonia levels get too low.
 
Dose up to 2-3 ppm of ammonia daily until your Nitrites disappear. Dosing over 5ppm could slow/stall your cycle. What kind of test kit are you using?
 
jpappy789 said:
Yes, it can actually.
Click to expand...
No.......it really can't.Once the bacteria has colonized it can be maintained at the level of ammonia it was colonized at.The ammonia can also be reduced,but having it at 5ppm or 2ppm,will not increase or decrease the cycling time in anyway.Keeping the ammonia at a higher level will however,allow you to add more fish when the cycle has completed.
 
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