Do-over Fishless Cycle Confusion

[Boundava]

You should read the fishless cycling thread. After the initial ammonia dose, you don't add any more untill you test 0. And to save on testing you can just test ammonia until it says 0, only then do you test nitrites. When ammonia hits 0 you can add half a dose, untill you get nitrites. Once you have nitrites then wait to see if nitrates go higher than the 20 ppm you are getting, then you are cycled.

Go easy with the ammonia, you can do half dose every 3 days. Too much can stall/stop a cycle.

Also have you tested for nitrates in your tap?

[Slaphppy7]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ead.php?t=5640

[jgoldbergru]

You should read the fishless cycling thread. After the initial ammonia dose, you don't add any more untill you test 0. And to save on testing you can just test ammonia until it says 0, only then do you test nitrites. When ammonia hits 0 you can add half a dose, untill you get nitrites. Once you have nitrites then wait to see if nitrates go higher than the 20 ppm you are getting, then you are cycled.

Go easy with the ammonia, you can do half dose every 3 days. Too much can stall/stop a cycle.

Also have you tested for nitrates in your tap?

Thank you for the information, I’ll hold off on adding any more ammonia until it reads as zero. My tap water read as 40 ppm nitrates.

[Slaphppy7]

Be sure to add only HALF of the original amount of ammonia that you started with, after ammonia reaches 0.

Do not test until at least 24 hours after dosing.

When you eventually test (after 24 hours) and see 0 ammonia, 0 nitrItes, and some nitrAtes, you are cycled.

Read thoroughly the link I posted above on the fishless cycle.

[jgoldbergru]

After reading the guides and info provided above, I realized I had made a few key mistakes in my last attempt to cycle. The ammonia I purchased likely had surfactants or additives because it foamed up when I shook it. Second, I didn’t have a heater.

I started again and purchased dr Tim’s ammonia drops and API Quick Start to provide nitrifying bacteria, and Seachem Prime to dechlorinate. I also added a heater.

The heater I got can’t be adjusted but stays between 74 and 80. It’s been right at 78 since install. On day one added Prime to dechlorenate, 10 mls of API Quick Start and 32 drops of ammonia per Dr. Tim’s instructions. after 24 hours I tested. Ammonia was at 2ppm, Nitrites were zero, and PH was 8.

I’ve tested daily and levels have been steady, Ammonia steady at 2ppm, zero nitrites and PH has fluctuated between 8 and 8.2.


I’m now on day 16 of the cycle process, dr Tim’s ammonia drops have not been added since day one. I’ve added Quick Start once a week since setup.

Should I start to see a drop in ammonia and a readable Nitrite level soon? I haven’t touched the filters and haven’t done anything to the tank except test ammonia, nitrites and PH daily. Some of the water has begun to evaporate, maybe an inch or two is gone at this point. I believe this is normal and I should not add water to replace. Looking for some idea I’m on the right track finally or if there’s anything else I should do.