Help interpreting current cycling data

[sprungson]

Hi All,

1. Day 1, 16oz bottle of Dr Tim's and 3-4mL of ammonia chloride
2. Day 2, added 8oz Bio Spira

Are my results normal or should i be worried that it is stalled? The ammonia and nitrate doesn't seem to be changing

 

[Oscaror]

Hi All,

1. Day 1, 16oz bottle of Dr Tim's and 3-4mL of ammonia chloride
2. Day 2, added 8oz Bio Spira

Are my results normal or should i be worried that it is stalled? The ammonia and nitrate doesn't seem to be changing

Tank is nearly fully cycled. The drop in ammonia is directly correlated with the spike in nitrate, so you have gone through a full cycle. Just give the bacteria time to populate more and let the ammonia and nitrite drop to zero. Congrats on such a quick cycle!

 

[sprungson]

Tank is nearly fully cycled. The drop in ammonia is directly correlated with the spike in nitrate, so you have gone through a full cycle. Just give the bacteria time to populate more and let the ammonia and nitrite drop to zero. Congrats on such a quick cycle!

Cool. Thanks!

 

[Idoc]

I think it is progressing along nicely!

Ammonia went up then shows it is going down, nitrites did the same, and nitrate is rising.

Get the ammonia to zero... then dose up again to 2ppm and see if the system can clear that to zero in 24hrs. If so, you're cycled.

 

[MnFish1]

Hi All,

1. Day 1, 16oz bottle of Dr Tim's and 3-4mL of ammonia chloride
2. Day 2, added 8oz Bio Spira

Are my results normal or should i be worried that it is stalled? The ammonia and nitrate doesn't seem to be changing

What test kits are you using? Why did you use 2 different types of bacteria? Did you follow the instructions for each? My vote = its impossible to know - but -if you're asking whether your cycle is 'stalled' what do you mean - because your ammonia is remaining at .2 instead of 0? Is your test kit that accurate?

Secondly - nitrites can cause a false positive nitrate reaction - so your 'nitrate' may be 'nitrite'.

So - I don't think its stalled - but I dont think its cycled... I would keep adding food. Double check yoru ammonia with an accurate test kit - and wait a bit

 

[MnFish1]

I think it is progressing along nicely!

Ammonia went up then shows it is going down, nitrites did the same, and nitrate is rising.

Get the ammonia to zero... then dose up again to 2ppm and see if the system can clear that to zero in 24hrs. If so, you're cycled.

The problem being - with some kits the ammonia never 'gets to zero'. But I note he has had the tank up for 4 days - my strong guess is that its not producing nitrate yet - but the nitrate reading s'nitrite'.

 

[Idoc]

The problem being - with some kits the ammonia never 'gets to zero'. But I note he has had the tank up for 4 days - my strong guess is that its not producing nitrate yet - but the nitrate reading s'nitrite'.

Yes, that's probably true... the nitrate test kits typically read nitrite as nitrates. But, as long as the system can break down 1-2ppm ammonia in 24hrs, then all is good... the rest will come! This is progressing very fast, though.

 

[chefjpaul]

Yes, that's probably true... the nitrate test kits typically read nitrite as nitrates. But, as long as the system can break down 1-2ppm ammonia in 24hrs, then all is good... the rest will come! This is progressing very fast, though.

Lots of bacteria consumption. They can starve themselves out if not feed NH3 & PO4 etc..

I always use a variety of bacteria's, but also give them food and time.

 

[sprungson]

Hi All, here's today's results. I think it looks good. I'm not sure why nitrate is not going up... thoughts?

 

[MnFish1]

Hi All, here's today's results. I think it looks good. I'm not sure why nitrate is not going up... thoughts?

What test kit are you using?Why is your temp fluctuating?

In any case -now would be the chance to add ammonia to 1 PPM - if it goes back to 0 in 24 hours it would be good - at least you know you could add fish that produce 1 ppm ammonia/day

 

[sprungson]

What test kit are you using?Why is your temp fluctuating?

In any case -now would be the chance to add ammonia to 1 PPM - if it goes back to 0 in 24 hours it would be good - at least you know you could add fish that produce 1 ppm ammonia/day

I'm using red Sea. The temp is because I was messing with my heater settings.

 

[sprungson]

Ready for a fish?

 

[brandon429]

how important is disease protocol/fallow approach/quarantine to your design? that's what determines fish loading timing... With todays bottle bac, many people add fish sooner than you are considering and they do fine. Whether or not you want to forego today's best disease prevention science is what matters/the plan behind that.

 

[sprungson]

Final update... Successfully cycled my tank in 7 days using Bio Spira & Dr. Tim's. Sharing my notes with people

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!

 

[DarrenCar]

Congratulations on a fast cycle. I didn’t know it was possible to cycle a tank that fast. I started my tank in the beginning of May and it took 28 days to cycle 2ppm of ammonia in 24 hours. Did you experience and algae growth? Did you start with live or dry rock?

 

[sprungson]

Congratulations on a fast cycle. I didn’t know it was possible to cycle a tank that fast. I started my tank in the beginning of May and it took 28 days to cycle 2ppm of ammonia in 24 hours. Did you experience and algae growth? Did you start with live or dry rock?

I used dry rock. Very little algae so far, and i've used lunar lighting (basically 10% lightning 12 hours overnight). I also plan to do weekly water change. I've added 7 corals and 2 fishes as well. Don't plan to add anymore fish for a while, but probably some more coral next month.

 

[MnFish1]

I used dry rock. Very little algae so far, and i've used lunar lighting (basically 10% lightning 12 hours overnight). I also plan to do weekly water change. I've added 7 corals and 2 fishes as well. Don't plan to add anymore fish for a while, but probably some more coral next month.

This is interesting - and it echos my experience. (no offense to anyone) - I'm amazed that people have rock and tanks sitting idle for months waiting for 'a cycle' to complete.