I may have started my tank cycle the wrong way help.

[xbrl001]

Long story short I was excited to start a 10 gallon the "right" way doing a fishless cycle and dosing with ammonia ect. And then the fish store people went on to say that I could use their tank water that is already cycled and that would allow me to put in a couple snails and a hermit crab so that when the algae starts forming I already have a small cleanup crew ready to go. Since they were throwing the snails and crab in for free I didn't see any profit motive they would have to give me bad advice in an attempt to sell more (so I did it). But now, I can't find any info on how to proceed from here. Its been 24 hours. 0 to maybe .25 ammonia, and like 40ppm nitrates which is expected since it's established tank water.

It'd be great for some feed back on what to do next, if I should just dose it (but dose less), or whatever your thoughts are.

 

[Humblefish]

Water contains a negligible amount of beneficial bacteria. It's all in the rock/sand. How much rock/sand do you have in your 10 gal?

 

[xbrl001]

Water contains a negligible amount of beneficial bacteria. It's all in the rock/sand. How much rock/sand do you have in your 10 gal?

A ten pound bag of live sand. About 8 pounds of rock, only about 1 pound is live though.

 

[Humblefish]

A ten pound bag of live sand. About 8 pounds of rock, only about 1 pound is live though.

I would go get you one of those bacteria in a bottle products (exs. Bio-Spira, Seachem Stability, Dr Tim's Nitrifying Bacteria). Normally, there's not enough bacteria in those to fully cycle a big tank.. but it should be enough for your 10 gal. In a pinch, I've used them to cycle some bio-media for a 29 gal fish QT and never saw any ammonia.

 

[xbrl001]

I would go get you one of those bacteria in a bottle products (exs. Bio-Spira, Seachem Stability, Dr Tim's Nitrifying Bacteria). Normally, there's not enough bacteria in those to fully cycle a big tank.. but it should be enough for your 10 gal. In a pinch, I've used them to cycle some bio-media for a 29 gal fish QT and never saw any ammonia.

Good idea. I think I might do that tomorrow . I should still dose with ammonium chloride to feed the bacteria once I dump it in ?

 

[Humblefish]

Good idea. I think I might do that tomorrow . I should still dose with ammonium chloride to feed the bacteria once I dump it in ?

No, just start feeding your snails/crabs a tiny pinch of flake every 2-3 days. You may need to add a little nori for the snails if your tank is devoid of algae.