Tank cycle question

[Instigate]

Yep. You need to keep feeding it ammonia until the nitrite goes to zero, too. Then BIG water change. Your nitrates will be sky high.

The Dr.Tim's video specifically says don't add ammonia if you still have nitites, that you don't need to feed the ammonia processing bacteria. And in the links I posted you can see the bacteria lasts for a weeks to months without ammonia. Then when ammonia is introduced they instantly are able to process it.

 

[Big G]

Good to know. I use Bio-Spira, which Dr. Tim formulated, and have always kept adding ammonia until first the ammonia and then the nitrites drop to zero. Takes about 14-20 days depending on the tank. I always dose enough ammonia so it reads 1 ppm (which is approx 1 drop per gallon: example a 20 gallon tank would get 20 drops). And then check if the ammonia drops to zero after 24 hours; and then again until the nitrites drop to zero. Then the big water changes to lower the nitrates. Your mileage may vary depending on a lot of variables: amount and type of sand, rock, filtration, etc. Cheers!

 

[rockstarta78]

Bacteria can stay in a dormant stage for an extended period of time. Feeding them helps them multiply faster. Doesn't mean you need to feed everyday. Once you start seeing your NH3 can be processed within 24 hours, your bacteria are established enough. If both NH3 and NO2 can be processed within 24 hours you can safely add fish. 5~10ppm NO3 is not bad, in fact maintaining a 5ppm NO3 helps with coral coloration. As with everything else in this hobby, just take it easy with adding fish, you'll have lot less algae issues. The more fishes you add the more waste processing will need to happen within the tank and more bacteria will be needed.