Quick question about the cycle. I’m cycling my 75 gallon now. I’ve been at it 8 days and I choose the raw shrimp method. Using the API test kits (I know they’re thought of as trash), I saw my ammonia go from 0 to .25 to .50 and then to 1.0 on days 5,6 and 7. On day 5 I tested for nitrites, not expecting any yet, and did in fact get 0. I also tested the ammonia with a salifert kit on day 7 and got .25. On day 7 of the cycle I started a 10 gallon QT tank, figuring I’d have some fish in QT for a nice long while and let the cycle run it’s course in the 75 gallon. I added about 1/3 of a bottle of Dr Timm’s one and only (4 oz) to the QT and then thought what the heck and put the other 2/3 in the 75 gallon. Today (day 8) the API shows ammonia at .50, the salifert shows less then .15 but the API shows 5.0 in nitrites! Did I fly by the ammonia stage already? I still have the shrimp in there, and ordered the Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride in case it’s needed since I still have a long way to go with the QT process. Is the ammonia considered ”spiked“ at 1 (or less depending on the kit)? Did I screw things up by adding the Dr Tim’s to the 75 gallon?
The cycle
- Thread starter FerociousPuggle
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phatduckk
Well-Known Member
Nope. You didn’t screw it up. Be patient as it will take weeks.
since the shrimp is still there there’s no need to add the ammonium as the shrimp will still decay and contribute ammonia.
If I was you I’d just let it be for 2 weeks and start testing then. In the mean time feel free to QT but keep in mind you’ll need to do lots of water changes to maintain 0 ammonia.
since the shrimp is still there there’s no need to add the ammonium as the shrimp will still decay and contribute ammonia.
If I was you I’d just let it be for 2 weeks and start testing then. In the mean time feel free to QT but keep in mind you’ll need to do lots of water changes to maintain 0 ammonia.
