Should I start over?

[moorjames]

Ok- let me fill you in. I bought the bio32 about a week and a half ago. Put it all together and added 1 bottle of Tim’s one and only. After a few days- I realized I didn’t have an ammonia source so went and grabbed a bottle of dr Tim’s ammonia and added what I thought was half a dose. It was hard to judge cause I couldn’t count the drops- it just came pouring out but still think I was under the half dose. Anyways- after a few days- my ammonia was still pretty high. I added another bottle of dr Tim’s one and only (this time the smaller bottle) and waited another couple days. Ammonia still high So I did a 20% water change (5 gallon- since I’m only holding about 25 gallons of water in the tank). And waited a day and this is my results. Should I drain the tank and just start over with the cycle?

 

[moorjames]

This pic was taken yesterday after the water 20% water change just in case that wasn’t clear. Looks like the ammonia is coming down- because it was higher. Just wasn’t sure if I let it get too out of control. Thanks for the help

 

[iamacat]

Stay out of your tank for a few days. You don’t need to ever do a water change during cycling. Test your level in a few days. Then again a few after that. There is no need to test that frequently

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Just don’t touch a thing. You are right where you should be. In 4-5 days when ammonia is gone do a large wc to get rid of nitrates.

 

[ShellSea]

Agreed let it be. Testing for ammonia is critical ! Missed that in op.

 

[moorjames]

ok I’ll stay out. I only did a wc because dr Tim’s site said if the ammonia got too high- then lower it by a wc. It was around 5-6ppm. But thanks for the replies

 

[melanotaenia]

If there is bacteria in there the cycle has started; water changes or other changes will just prolong the nitrogen cycle.