disappearing ammonia

**labnjab** · 07-24-2008, 11:34 PM

We are in the process of cycling our 55 gallon with 8 small feeder comets. At noon time i measured the ammonia and it was at .50 ppm. I measured twice just to make sure because the tank has only had fish in it since Tuesday. I measured again at 7 and it was back down to 0. Nitrite is also 0. I was wondering what would make the ammonia go away so fast without any nitrite?

**Evil Slimy** · 07-24-2008, 11:38 PM

Do you have any live plants in the tank? Although... Would your test kit measure nitrite levels that were that low? Anyone know how much nitrite 1ppm of ammonia is converted into?

**W_Oz** · 07-24-2008, 11:44 PM

I'd assume 1ppm of NH3 -> 1ppm NO2- since the number of nitrogen atoms is the same and you can't get more random nitrogen without going through ammonia first if I understand the N2 cycle. If the NH3/NH4+ and NO2- readings are all < 0.XX (detection limit) then it would be safe to assume that your tank has cycled up and is ready to be gently nudged into the world or housing your goldies. Did you have anything from a previous tank in there to help things along? What were your NO2- levels before noon? Plants in the tank? How frequently have you been monitoring your water?

**labnjab** · 07-25-2008, 12:15 AM

I just put some substrate into each filter in pantyhose from my established 30 a few minuets ago and one of the filter cartridges is a dirty one out of the 30 and has been in the since the night i added the feeders (it has 2 Aqua-Tech 30-60 power filters).
Before noon they were 0 and my test kit (an api master kit) shoes as low as .25. I've been monitoring every day since i added the feeders. I put 4 in at first and then Lady Hobbs said it should be ok to add a few more.
I'm using the feeders so i don't stress my fancy's any more then i have to. I don't have any plants or substrate.

**W_Oz** · 07-25-2008, 12:29 AM

Does your master test kit allow you to test for Nitrate? (NO3-) If it does, give that a whirl. Since you seeded your filters with materials from your old tank its quite possible that you've completed your cycle and are ready to rock'n roll.

Add your fancies slowly so you don't overwhelm your bacteria with the new bioload and have fun!

**labnjab** · 07-25-2008, 12:40 AM

I'll test that now and I'll post back with the results

**labnjab** · 07-25-2008, 12:54 AM

Its hard to tell, the chart has yellow for 0 and light orange for 5ppm, and it looks like its in between both of those, so there is some NO3-. Wow, i expected it to take longer than that to cycle. I'm holding back a few days though on adding the fancy's, I have a canister filter that I'm waiting on an o-ring that i ordered and i want to get that up and running before i add them.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-25-2008, 01:14 AM

You said you cycled with some used media and apparently you have enough ammonia and nitrite eating bacteria already established. It could also be that those 4 feeders didn't give off any ammonia at all yet. Four feeders in 55 gallon might not have hardly had time to register in only 2 days.

I think you sound ready for your fish, tho. Probably was the first day but better safe than sorry is good.

**labnjab** · 07-25-2008, 04:22 PM

I measured it again at 6am this morning, Ammonia .5, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0
At 9 am Ammonia .25, nitrite .0, Nitrate between 0 and 5
At noon Ammonia .25, nitrite .0, Nitrate 5

I'm wondering if the 8 feeders are still not enough bioload to support enough bacteria because nitrite newer went up and nitrate. I'm going to remove 4 of the feeders and add my 2 smallest fancy's like suggested, then leave them in until the values get better.

**terrapin24h** · 07-25-2008, 05:03 PM

you could have a cycle, or you could not. Consider that 8 feeder fish may not produce enough amm to raise its level in such a large tank. Plus, if you tank is a gold tank, it's got to be cold, which means a slower cycle. I'm just a rookie, but it sounds to me like you have too much water(combined with the bacteria you transplanted) and not enough load. I have the same kit you do and know what you are talking about with the trate reading, annoying aint it :) I think moving two of your little fancys over will definitely prove one way or the other and help kick what cycle you have into high gear, just be ready to do water changes and watch the levels like a hawk. don't forget pics when you get it done!

--chris