Dr Tim's fishless test help

[SurfLife]

You are correct. Started to see nitrates as well now. Nitrites continue to increase and ammonia continues to decrease. So far appears to be on track.

It got me thinking ahead a bit. I went WELL over parameters for a fishless cycle so is there ever a need to feed ammonia a second time (once my parameters back down) or would you consider this one cycled once it backs down on ammonia and nitrites?

Hoping someone with a bit more experience verifies this but my understand is once the nitrates start increasing and the ammonia and nitrites get back to zero it is cycled. When you see nitrites and ammonia back to zero, if you add some more of that bacteria it should quickly convert it nitrates but again I would prefer someone with more experience verify my thoughts.

 

[Brew12]

I went WELL over parameters for a fishless cycle so is there ever a need to feed ammonia a second time (once my parameters back down) or would you consider this one cycled

Hoping someone with a bit more experience verifies this but my understand is once the nitrates start increasing and the ammonia and nitrites get back to zero it is cycled. When you see nitrites and ammonia back to zero, if you add some more of that bacteria it should quickly convert it nitrates but again I would prefer someone with more experience verify my thoughts.

I feel it is always a good idea to dose back up to 2ppm at least once. Just because it worked its way down doesn't mean it is ready. Going from 2ppm to 0ppm doesn't generate too much in the way of nitrates and it should only take 1 extra day. If it takes longer than that, you know you weren't ready anyway.

 

[SurfLife]

I feel it is always a good idea to dose back up to 2ppm at least once. Just because it worked its way down doesn't mean it is ready. Going from 2ppm to 0ppm doesn't generate too much in the way of nitrates and it should only take 1 extra day. If it takes longer than that, you know you weren't ready anyway.

Agreed. The small amount of extra time to wait is well worth it(Cant believe I am saying that!).

 

[W Haymaker]

Thanks. I'll do that. We'll keep at it.

 

[W Haymaker]

Cycled I do believe! It was worth a second ammonia feed.