How to dose ammonia properly

[Armani]

So I just have a basic question. When dosing pure ammonia ( I’m using dr Tim’s). My nitrites are about 3-4ppm. But my ammonia drops to about 0.25-0.75 in a day which I know is good. But do I allow it to stay at 0 or keep dosing to 4ppm as my nitrites keep building up? I also don’t want my nitrites to get too high. I know once they both go to 0 in the same day it is cycled and I have to do a water change. But will they go down together as I keep dosing ammonia or should I stop dosing at some point?

 

[GBRsouth]

Ammonia is the food source for the bacteria you are developing, so they will need a continued amount until you put livestock in the system. But the recommended daily dose is up to 2ppm ammonia, not 4ppm. Above 2ppm ammonia may become toxic to them and slow your system's cycle.

 

[Armani]

Ammonia is the food source for the bacteria you are developing, so they will need a continued amount until you put livestock in the system. But the recommended daily dose is up to 2ppm ammonia, not 4ppm. Above 2ppm ammonia may become toxic to them and slow your system's cycle.

Thank you I was thinking 4ppm. I figured the more ammonia the more nitrite which creates a bigger nitrite colony which is better.

 

[GBRsouth]

As the ammonia is processed each day it will build the nitrite level anyway, slower is better at the start to allow the colony numbers of bacteria to grow at the pace of the increased levels of ammonia and nitrite.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you I was thinking 4ppm. I figured the more ammonia the more nitrite which creates a bigger nitrite colony which is better.

Not sure if nitrite colony size or capacity is either important, or ever too low. Nitrite just is unimportant in almost any reef tank (unlike fresh water tanks).