Quick cycle question

[NakiFantaki]

Hey folks!

So I'm one week into cycling and I have a quick question.

I'm finally starting to see some nirites and nitrates... however my ammonia doesn't look like it has changed much and it's still reading about 2ppm. Can that be right?

I used Dr One and Only bacteria and pure ammonia.

 

[MasterBacon]

Right on que! When the nitrite spikes your ammonia will go down. few more days .

 

[Salty1962]

Be Patient... You're still very young

 

[NakiFantaki]

Ahhhh... to be young again... lol. In real life that is.
Okay I won't mess with it and be patient. Once I go through the process - ammonia drops - nitrite spikes - the nitrates spike, should I add more ammonia and repeat? From what I'm reading it says 2.0pm of ammonia should be broken down within a 24 hour period before it's safe to add livestock. Is that 100% true?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I wouldn't worry so much about nitrites as ammonia. you want detectabl ammonia gone with 24 hours, preferably 8 hours.

 

[MasterBacon]

Ahhhh... to be young again... lol. In real life that is.
Okay I won't mess with it and be patient. Once I go through the process - ammonia drops - nitrite spikes - the nitrates spike, should I add more ammonia and repeat? From what I'm reading it says 2.0pm of ammonia should be broken down within a 24 hour period before it's safe to add livestock. Is that 100% true?

Somewhat Correct ! But with caution ! Livestock maybe some clean up crew....
The next phase is a diatom bloom which should happen with your lights off to reduce the ugly factor. Still 2 more phases to go and the addition of fish will add fuel to the fire of the next 2 phases .

 

[NakiFantaki]

Thanks for all of the advice! I really appreciate it! As far as a clean up crew goes.. what do I need for this 20 gallon? I have seen what is suggested but it seems like a lot!! Is it normal to have huge CUCs?

 

[MasterBacon]

Thanks for all of the advice! I really appreciate it! As far as a clean up crew goes.. what do I need for this 20 gallon? I have seen what is suggested but it seems like a lot!! Is it normal to have huge CUCs?

In the beginning you don't need too many, increase it with your new additions as time goes on. Algae eating first then hermits and others depending on the now available food sources. research your clean crew for best results.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

In the beginning you don't need too many, increase it with your new additions as time goes on. Algae eating first then hermits and others depending on the now available food sources. research your clean crew for best results.

+1
and go diverse in snail choices.
2 small turbos then 4 4 4 to start.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/
the meat eaters you may want to wait on.

 

[Spschief85]

Your cycle may finish soon. I have used microbe lift to "instant cycle" a tank before when I upgraded in the past and never saw a cyclex party due to the already live rock from the upgrade, once you reach the end you will see the diatoms everyone is talking about, to save you a huge headache I would recommend lowering your photoperoid and gunning some gfo to eat up available phosphate. clean up crew can help alot as mention.

 

[MasterBacon]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

lol I do ride on Renee's coat tails quite often.

 

[MasterBacon]

lol I do ride on Renee's coat tails quite often.

Wasn't meant for you lol. It's me trying to help

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wasn't meant for you lol. It's me trying to help

works for me too!

 

[NakiFantaki]

LoL!!!!

Will do... Thanks for the info!

 

[jsiker]

Just take it slow and if you can manage it please quarantine your livestock before you put it into your main tank. I didn't to start and am now waiting until Dec 29th to put my fish back into the DT. I lost a number of fish along the way learning the hard way unfortunately. Slow is good, slower is better, and always quarantine.