Cycling Tank

[cameron_atkinson]

Hi,
I’m cycling my fish tank and I used Dr Tims one and only on Monday, i unfortunately fell ill and did not have access to my tank until today so there was no ammonium chloride being added to it. How do I go about cycling it now? Can I still start the cycle by adding the ammonium chloride? Thank you

 

[Garf]

Can I still start the cycle by adding the ammonium chloride?

Yes

 

[ScottJ]

You can add the recommended number of drops of ammonium chloride now. Are you using a test kit? You want to dose ammonia to 2ppm. Don't overdose.

For your best chances for success, go slow and research. Don't rush things. You are not going to have the Great Barrier Reef in a glass box overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[DED65]

Keep doing what you are doing, it will get there. Take care of yourself first!

 

[cameron_atkinson]

You can add the recommended number of drops of ammonium chloride now. Are you using a test kit? You want to dose ammonia to 2ppm. Don't overdose.

For your best chances for success, go slow and research. Don't rush things. You are not going to have the Great Barrier Reef in a glass box overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

I tested my ammonium and this was it

 

[ScottJ]

Yup, just give it a little time. Try to get yourself a decent nitrate fest kit. I like Salifert, but like Red Sea or even a Hanna Checker. Don't rely on API if you can help it. Check for Nitrates in a few days.

Got a picture of your tank?

There is a LOT of info on the forum about cycling a tank. Just search 'cycling' and you will have more than you can read! But it basically boils down to; saltwater flowing around rocks + some bottled bac + some bac food (ammonia) + time (about 10 days) = ready for life.

 

[Garf]

about 10 days

Not all Cycling Bacteria are created equal. Who's who, and what do they need?

My hypothesis is that there are very different types of Bacteria that are being used to "cycle" tanks to prevent ammonia accumulation, and it's not entirely clear which products contain which group, and it's also poorly understood what the requirements are for one of these groups to do their...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ScottJ]

Not all Cycling Bacteria are created equal. Who's who, and what do they need?

My hypothesis is that there are very different types of Bacteria that are being used to "cycle" tanks to prevent ammonia accumulation, and it's not entirely clear which products contain which group, and it's also poorly understood what the requirements are for one of these groups to do their...

www.reef2reef.com

And?

 

[cameron_atkinson]

Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?

 

[Garf]

Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?

It can take a while to show any reduction, you are at day 3. I think the link I posted previously by @taricha had Dr Tim's start processing at day 8, without looking. It could be faster or slower than that though.

 

[Olefreebe]

I think you're on track. The waiting game is the hardest game to play though. Good luck!

 

[ScottJ]

Thought I would update you, I’ve added ammonium chloride, 20 drops for my 5 gallon tank, for the past 3 days and the ammonium is still very high and not changing. Thoughts?

Could you clarify? You added 20 drops 3 days ago, or 20 drops each day for the past 3 days.

If 3 days ago, that's good. Like Garf and Freebe said, it takes a while.

If each day, don't add any more. You only need to add ammonia once to get things going.

 

[taricha]

It can take a while to show any reduction, you are at day 3.

right. In my tests, One and Only ( a couple of different bottles) showed ammonia processing in the 12-20 day ballpark. Could be faster under other conditions, but 3 or even 10 days is nothing to worry about.

 

[cameron_atkinson]

Could you clarify? You added 20 drops 3 days ago, or 20 drops each day for the past 3 days.

If 3 days ago, that's good. Like Garf and Freebe said, it takes a while.

If each day, don't add any more. You only need to add ammonia once to get things going.

I’ve been adding 20 each day only because on the website it said “ If the ammonia or nitrite values are over 5 ppm NH3-N skip the next addition of ammonia drops.”

 

[Garf]

I’ve been adding 20 each day only because on the website it said “ If the ammonia or nitrite values are over 5 ppm NH3-N skip the next addition of ammonia drops.”

What does that add up to, in total ammonia added then? 6 or 8ppm?

 

[cameron_atkinson]

So you think I should stop doing it everyday?

 

[Garf]

So you think I should stop doing it everyday?

Yes, I would not add any more. I would just let ammonia come down now.

 

[cameron_atkinson]

What should I do? Do I add more bacteria?

 

[Uncle99]

So 2 weeks ago you added rock, sand, saltwater, heat, flow and bottle bacteria. If that’s correct, you are cycled and ready for for a couple fish.

 

[cameron_atkinson]

So 2 weeks ago you added rock, sand, saltwater, heat, flow and bottle bacteria. If that’s correct, you are cycled and ready for for a couple fish.

But my nitrite is 5