Cycling tank

[Trudy_]

My tank has been cycling for 2 weeks. I am doing a fish-less cycle. I used shrimp for 3 days to spike the ammonia which went as high at 1 ppm. My ammonia levels are now at zero but nitrites are still at 1. Should I add something to cause a little more ammonia to feed the growing bacteria? Thanks in advance!

 

[Garf]

My tank has been cycling for 2 weeks. I am doing a fish-less cycle. I used shrimp for 3 days to spike the ammonia which went as high at 1 ppm. My ammonia levels are now at zero but nitrites are still at 1. Should I add something to cause a little more ammonia to feed the growing bacteria? Thanks in advance!

Are you in a hurry? If so you could do a water change and consider yourself cycled. However, in the rare event everything goes pearshaped you’ll never forgive yourself. I would wait till nitrite is near zero.

 

[Andrescol87]

I think you should exercise patience, from my pov you are doing great.

 

[Trudy_]

I’m not in a hurry. I know it will still be a few weeks before I can get fish in there. I want to make sure the bacteria doesn’t die out as they use ammonia for nutrients. That’s my understanding anyways lol. Should I do a phantom feeding?

 

[Courtney Aldrich]

My tank has been cycling for 2 weeks. I am doing a fish-less cycle. I used shrimp for 3 days to spike the ammonia which went as high at 1 ppm. My ammonia levels are now at zero but nitrites are still at 1. Should I add something to cause a little more ammonia to feed the growing bacteria? Thanks in advance!

The nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) grow more slowly than the ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AON), but they should catch up shortly. If you're interesting in learning more about the cycle, please watch this awesome video by Dr Tim Hovanec, who is the authority on tank cycling, see: .
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