"Instant Cycling" question

[mrramsey]

Ok so here is the next question to this... How much is a little? I am going to add my media bag from the AC70 on the 55g. How much ammonia should I add?? enough to take to low levels like .25ppm or higher like 1ppm. Remember this media is cycled there fore I need to keep it alive but also grow it more.

[mommy1]

I would bring it up to 1ppm. I'm sure that would be more than enough for 30 cardinal tetra.

[mrramsey]

Ok so If I am understanding this correctly I will follow these steps:

1. Raise the ammonia to 1ppm (currently it is .25ppm)
2. Add my cycled media and wait for the ammonia to drop to 0
3. add enough ammonia daily to raise it back to 1ppm
4. repeat until the fishies are added

Does this sound accurate?

[mommy1]

Exactly...

[mrramsey]

Thanks for the confirmation mommy1!

[mommy1]

You're welcome, I look forward to seeing the tank with some cardinal tetra in it.

[mrramsey]

It has been 24 hours since I dosed with ammonia. I am happy to report that the number has dropped! I am sitting at .25ppm this morning. Should I wait till it drops to 0 or go ahead and dose to 1ppm again?

[Lady Hobbs]

Personally I would not have even worried about it. 30 neons probably have the same bio-load as 5 larger tetra's and you have a lot of water there. But since you have now added ammonia, I would not add any more until you have it back to 0.

[mrramsey]

Thanks LH!, I will wait. I am trying to grow more anyway since 30 Cardinals are just the start. I want to also add a secondary fish but have not made a decision on it yet.

[Gesp56]

Well if you're looking for a larger fish, maybe a cichlid? A pair of group of Keyholes? Or Festivums?