Nitrogen Cycle!

[theMeat]

15 gallon tote fro quarantine with small piece of dry rock.

Filter?

 

[John A!10]

Filter?

Hang on back

 

[theMeat]

I would do 50% wc, then ghost feed every day if you want the cycle not to crash. When ammonia and nitrites go to zero you’re ready for fish.
If you have fish in there already, do small daily wc to keep levels safe

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I would do 50% wc, then ghost feed every day if you want the cycle not to crash. When ammonia and nitrites go to zero you’re ready for fish.
If you have fish in there already, do small daily wc to keep levels safe

cycle has already stalled it sounds like. dosing ammonia would be more controlled than using shrimp, that’s why i never recommend it. what the ammonia raises about 5ppm? you could really set the cycle back and create additional issues if you don’t control the ammonia.

 

[John A!10]

Ok

 

[John A!10]

Thanks for the help

 

[theMeat]

cycle has already stalled it sounds like. dosing ammonia would be more controlled than using shrimp, that’s why i never recommend it. what the ammonia raises about 5ppm? you could really set the cycle back and create additional issues if you don’t control the ammonia.

Agreed
But it’s not rocket science. Keep putting in food and it breaks down into ammonia. May take longer but ....
You could pee into tank for the same results. Feed tank, not too much, in pretty similar amounts everyday, and cycle will complete.
Dosing ammonia only helps for the first few days because you don’t have to wait for it to break down as you would food, and it is very controllable but not necessary

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Agreed
But it’s not rocket science. Keep putting in food and it breaks down into ammonia. May take longer but ....
You could pee into tank for the same results. Feed tank, not too much, in pretty similar amounts everyday, and cycle will complete.
Dosing ammonia only helps for the first few days because you don’t have to wait for it to break down as you would food, and it is very controllable but not necessary

correct. but this is where my advice usually differs from most others. i’m the type of person who wants control and precision.

 

[John A!10]

Last question after the ammonia drops to zero should I keep on adding ammonia?

 

[theMeat]

Yes
Otherwise bacteria has no food and dies, and cycle crashes. If you add fish and/or are feeding stop adding ammonia

 

[Tastee]

You could pee into tank for the same results.

I’ve seen lots of suggested ways to introduce ammonia but that’s a new one on me. Lemon trees yes, Reef aquariums not so sure!

 

[John A!10]

Ok so last check should I do a water change before adding ammonia? And should I add bacteria in a bottle if yes, when?

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

here’s a good article to read. also, i only trust seachem ammonia badges.


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/#post-3759102

And their ammonia NH3 kit

 

[theMeat]

I’ve seen lots of suggested ways to introduce ammonia but that’s a new one on me. Lemon trees yes, Reef aquariums not so sure!

Oh yeah. Back when bio balls were coming out, and the latest greatest thing....
The argument was getting the right ratio of beer/pee, how long you should wait after drinking beer, how many, and how much beer should be poured straight into tank

Was never much of a beer drinker, so I just used food back then too

 

[theMeat]

Ok so last check should I do a water change before adding ammonia? And should I add bacteria in a bottle if yes, when?

Will let cromag27 answer this one. He clearly knows more about it than I.

 

[John A!10]

Do you guys think I should add live rock from my main display and take it out when I am getting new fish

 

[theMeat]

No

 

[John A!10]

No

Why??

 

[theMeat]

Because yo’ll be changing bio “bank”, and possibly contaminating qt with pest/disease/etc

Best/safest qt is bare bottom with pvc fittings for hiding/comfort

 

[John A!10]

K that’s what I’m doing do you think I should add a patch of sand as I am going to be quarantining a sand sifter at some point.