Cycle Help

[Imthatguybrandon]

I started Dr. Tims Fishless Cycle Yesterday, and when I went to measure my Nitrite and ammonia the results are confusing. Nitrite (NH3) is reading 0ppm and my Ammonia(NH3/NH4) is returning inconclusive results (the water is not changing color).

Day 1 I added the appropriate amount of "First Defense" and the whole bottle on "one and Only" as instructed followed by the sufficient amount of Ammonium Chloride solution (4 drops per gallon) my tank is 50 gallons so 200 drops.

Day 2 I was instructed to measure my PH, Nitrite and Ammonia, with day 3 instructing me to add more Ammonia to the tank.


Is it possible for me to be reading 0ppm and no color for ammonia on day 2? I highly doubt it and starting to worry that I some how screwed up my cycle!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rmckoy]

Essentially … you can test zero if you added enough bacteria to process added ammonia .

Same as setting up with true live rock

 

[Rmckoy]

@brandon429

 

[Rmckoy]

Brandon …
We are in search of some literature suggesting why there are no detectable ammonia in this new tank

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

So are you essentially saying my tank is cycled or the amount of bacteria cancelled out the amount of ammonia added?

 

[Rmckoy]

So are you essentially saying my tank is cycled or the amount of bacteria cancelled out the amount of ammonia added?

If you added nitrifying bacteria .
To a new tank and also added ammonia . If the ammonia is testing zero it’s cycled
But … personally I would leave it 24 hours , dose ammonia to make 2ppm and wait another 24hours if it’s processed and test zero you’re cycled .


Wait for Brandon to reply .
He has the science and proof you’re looking for

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Okay, thank you! I’ll will dose to 2ppm tomorrow as day 3 instructs that as per Dr.Tim’s fishies cycle instructions. I will reply back to this thread with any updates! Appreciate the help and insight here!

 

[Propane]

What test kit are you using.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

What test kit are you using.

I’m using the API Saltwater Master Test Kit

 

[Propane]

I’m using the API Saltwater Master Test Kit

Sometimes those tests can be a a bit unreliable. Are you reading nitrates?

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

I didn’t test nitrates, only Nitrites. I’ll test nitrates and reply back here shortly!

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Sometimes those tests can be a a bit unreliable. Are you reading nitrates?

So finished testing and my Nitrate is also reading zero :/ I find it hard to believe that my entire test kit is a dud! Something must have went wrong maybe? My tank temp is 80 degrees

 

[Propane]

I don’t think anything went wrong. You wouldn’t have nitrates if the first 2 parts of the cycle haven’t completed. It’s only been a day. Wait a few days to begin testing. If you added ammonium to the tank it will cycle.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Thanks that’s reassuring to hear! Per DR. Tim’s instructions tomorrow I’ll be dosing the tank with 2ppm of ammonia. I’ll keep with his instructions and update any changes on this thread! Appreciate the help!

 

[littlefoxx]

I started Dr. Tims Fishless Cycle Yesterday, and when I went to measure my Nitrite and ammonia the results are confusing. Nitrite (NH3) is reading 0ppm and my Ammonia(NH3/NH4) is returning inconclusive results (the water is not changing color).

Day 1 I added the appropriate amount of "First Defense" and the whole bottle on "one and Only" as instructed followed by the sufficient amount of Ammonium Chloride solution (4 drops per gallon) my tank is 50 gallons so 200 drops.

Day 2 I was instructed to measure my PH, Nitrite and Ammonia, with day 3 instructing me to add more Ammonia to the tank.


Is it possible for me to be reading 0ppm and no color for ammonia on day 2? I highly doubt it and starting to worry that I some how screwed up my cycle!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

What test kit did you use?

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

What test kit did you use?

API Saltwater Master Test kit

 

[littlefoxx]

API Saltwater Master Test kit

Ah yeah those are known for bad readings, lots of people will tell you that on here! I would get another kit and double check. Red sea, and fluval are what I use. Fluval for ammonia, nitrate, nitrites and red sea for PH and all other stuff (that you will need for corals down the road). Those two are very accurate

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Ah yeah those are known for bad readings, lots of people will tell you that on here! I would get another kit and double check. Red sea, and fluval are what I use. Fluval for ammonia, nitrate, nitrites and red sea for PH and all other stuff (that you will need for corals down the road). Those two are very accurate

Awesome, let me take a look! did another round of testing today and all my readings came back zero even after dosing another 2ppm of ammonia as per Dr. Tim's cycle plan/ I'll pick up one of the testing kits mentioned!

 

[littlefoxx]

Awesome, let me take a look! did another round of testing today and all my readings came back zero even after dosing another 2ppm of ammonia as per Dr. Tim's cycle plan/ I'll pick up one of the testing kits mentioned!

Sounds good! I always check between the two if Im not 100% about a color match

 

[twentyleagues]

Check expiration date on test kit.