Tank Cycling: Quick Question

[NervousReefer]

So I’ve started cycling my tank and my first mistake was adding to much ammonia. It was off the charts, so I did a 25% water change yesterday. My initial test results (before water change) were: Ammonia 5 ppm, Nitrite 0, and Nitrate 0.

Yesterday, a couple hours after water change my levels were: Ammonia 2 ppm, Nitrite between 1-2 ppm and Nitrate between 5-10ppm.

Today my ammonia is at 1 ppm, my question is should I add more ammonia or wait and see what happens? This is my first time cycling and it’s so confusing.

Thanks.

 

[mta_morrow]

So I’ve started cycling my tank and my first mistake was adding to much ammonia. It was off the charts, so I did a 25% water change yesterday. My initial test results (before water change) were: Ammonia 5 ppm, Nitrite 0, and Nitrate 0.

Yesterday, a couple hours after water change my levels were: Ammonia 2 ppm, Nitrite between 1-2 ppm and Nitrate between 5-10ppm.

Today my ammonia is at 1 ppm, my question is should I add more ammonia or wait and see what happens? This is my first time cycling and it’s so confusing.

Thanks.

Let ammonia go to zero.

Then dose to 2 ppm again.

Once it reduces from 2 to 0 in 24 hours you are good to go.

Did you use bottled bacteria to start?

 

[DiscGolfRob]

I had the exact same issue, using Dr. Tim’s Ammonium Chloride. I did exactly as mta_morrow is suggesting, and it worked great. Just be sure to adjust the Ammonia dosing, when it is time to get it to 2ppm again.

 

[NervousReefer]

Let ammonia go to zero.

Then dose to 2 ppm again.

Once it reduces from 2 to 0 in 24 hours you are good to go.

Did you use bottled bacteria to start?

Yup Fritz turbostart 900

 

[NervousReefer]

I had the exact same issue, using Dr. Tim’s Ammonium Chloride. I did exactly as mta_morrow is suggesting, and it worked great. Just be sure to adjust the Ammonia dosing, when it is time to get it to 2ppm again.

Ok great, thanks again guys!

 

[mta_morrow]

Yup Fritz turbostart 900

Your good to go!

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Happy Reefing!

 

[Devaji]

Yup Fritz turbostart 900

great stuff! you are off to a good start. do as posted above and you will have a cycled tank in no time. just dont get to excited and ad to much live stock at once...
happy reefing!

 

[RomoFL]

Definitely works.. just keep testing.

 

[NervousReefer]

Your good to go!

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Happy Reefing!

Will do, thanks again!

 

[NervousReefer]

great stuff! you are off to a good start. do as posted above and you will have a cycled tank in no time. just dont get to excited and ad to much live stock at once...
happy reefing!

No worries friend, I want happy fish with room to move around!

 

[NervousReefer]

So I dosed ammonia again like you said 2ppm and waited 24 hours it went down to 0.25 ppm and my nitrites are at 2 ppm. Should I dose again or be patient and wait?

 

[NervousReefer]

Your good to go!

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Happy Reefing!

So I dosed ammonia again like you said 2ppm and waited 24 hours it went down to 0.25 ppm and my nitrites are at 2 ppm. Should I dose or be patient and wait?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

So I dosed ammonia again like you said 2ppm and waited 24 hours it went down to 0.25 ppm and my nitrites are at 2 ppm. Should I dose again or be patient and wait?

Which test kit are you using, API? With API, 0.25 may be as low as you get on ammonia, even if you have seen 0.0 before. You can dose again, or wait until nitrites get to 0 ppm and dose again.

 

[NervousReefer]

Which test kit are you using, API? With API, 0.25 may be as low as you get on ammonia, even if you have seen 0.0 before. You can dose again, or wait until nitrites get to 0 ppm and dose again.

I’m using API. I used the bacteria in a bottle and I’ve been cycling this tank for weeks I guess I have to be more patient, thanks for replying.

 

[RomoFL]

You should be good

 

[NervousReefer]

You should be good

Tested today, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5. Am I ready for fish??