2ppm to 0ppm

DarrenCar · May 30, 2019

I have dosed several times over the past 3 weeks and am at the point where my ammonia goes 2ppm to 0ppm in 24 hours. I am still reading nitrites though. Should the nitrites also be reducing to 0 within that 24 hour period or does that normally take longer?

Taxus812 · May 30, 2019

Hope this helps

I think your getting close. Mine go to 0 or near 0 in 24hrs. It took a few more weeks from the point you are at but I was using fish to complete the cycle. I have read quite a bit that nitrites in seawater will not harm our fish only freshwater fish need worry.

Dr. Reef · May 30, 2019

Nitrites typically take double to triple the time it takes ammonia to to hit 0.
Although nitrite are not harmful to fish in such low levels and fish can be introduced in the tank at this point.

DarrenCar · May 30, 2019

Taxus812 said:
Hope this helps

I think your getting close. Mine go to 0 or near 0 in 24hrs. It took a few more weeks from the point you are at but I was using fish to complete the cycle. I have read quite a bit that nitrites in seawater will not harm our fish only freshwater fish need worry.

I also read that chlorides in saltwater block nitrites from being absorbed and that they are relatively harmless to fish in a saltwater environment.
I’m y’alls opinion should I dose another round of ammonia after I get to 0 nitrites?

Taxus812 · May 30, 2019

If you want to be sure it wont hurt. (assuming you have no live creatures in the tank yet).

DarrenCar · May 30, 2019

Taxus812 said:
If you want to be sure it wont hurt. (assuming you have no live creatures in the tank yet).

No livestock in tank so I may go one more round and use up the remaining ammonium chloride I have left. Then do a big water change and get the QT tank up and ready.

Taxus812 · May 30, 2019

Start the qt before then it needs to cycle as well

DarrenCar · May 31, 2019

Taxus812 said:
Start the qt before then it needs to cycle as well

Plan on getting that in operation today. I have been seeding a sponge filter along with DT cycle so I am hoping that will boost the cycle time for QT.

Taxus812 · May 31, 2019

DarrenCar said:
Plan on getting that in operation today. I have been seeding a sponge filter along with DT cycle so I am hoping that will boost the cycle time for QT.

I did the same thing

. I also took a plastic container with live sand in it and put it on the bottom of the QT. This way if I need to treat I can throw it out afterwards. My hope is it helps with the biology by giving my bacteria surface area to live on.