Ammonia and nitrite
- Thread starter OceanBlue808
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GatorScott
Well-Known Member
No it can take as little as a week to a month. In general once you start your cycle, you will see an ammonia spike in a few says then it takes about a week to go down to zero. Then you see nitrite spike then nitrate. Once all have leveled off to zero with about 5ppm nitrate, is good to add a little more ammonia to make sure it disappears overnight. Once you get your tank where it dissolves ammonia over night you’re good to go. This process is about a month assuming all goes well. If you are careful with the levels you put in you can cycle in about 15-20days. Common mistake is adding way too much ammonia.
Edit, sorry I misread your question. Yes it has to reduce to zero within 24hrs for it to be fully cycled. Also once enough bacteria is established it should stay at zero. Ammonia spikes = trouble
Edit, sorry I misread your question. Yes it has to reduce to zero within 24hrs for it to be fully cycled. Also once enough bacteria is established it should stay at zero. Ammonia spikes = trouble
Venzzla
Active Member
Try adding Turbo start 900 to make it happen faster. I cycled my 40 gallon breeder in exactly one week.(today). All my parameters were 0ppm (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia). I used ammonium chloride to source ammonia. Took intial ppm to 3ppm ammonia and tested everyday.
Yes. However this does not mean you can add 5 fish at once. What it does mean is that you have enough bacteria to safely add a fish or 2.
PatW
2500 Club Member
Some people add ammonia to a tank to be cycled. They let the ammonia and nitrite get completely converted th nitrate. Then they add ammonia again. If the ammonia goes to 0 in 24 hours, the tank is deemed to have cycled.
