What do these tests say?

Reefrookie733 · May 30, 2020

Hey guys
First time really testing my water. LFS guy said since i used a good dose of ammonia and Dr. Tim's One and Only i should test about 2 weeks after starting my cycle.

Well I got my test kit into so just checking to see what it is, and i'm not really sure, or even what it means in the cycle process. Sorry first time doing this.

It looks to me like Ammonia is still around 4 PPM ?? (it was a little higher last week when i started i think)

It looks like Nitrates are around 20 PPM ??

It looks like Nitrates are around .3 - .4 PPM ??

Is that a good thing???

Thanks

Reefrookie733 · May 30, 2020

Looks like Nitrites got a big darker after i waited a couple more minutes. Maybe this is between 20-50 PPM ???

splitting_lanes · May 30, 2020

Everything looks as it should, you’re mid cycle.

Reefrookie733 · May 30, 2020

splitting_lanes said:
Everything looks as it should, you’re mid cycle.

Thanks im looking up what its supposed to be at the moment. Trying to educate myself! lol

Reefrookie733 · May 30, 2020

I dont think i need anymore ammonia do i ??

SCReef'n · May 30, 2020

No more ammonia. You can skip the nitrates until ammonia and nitrites are 0.

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

SCReef'n said:
No more ammonia. You can skip the nitrates until ammonia and nitrites are 0.

Thank you!

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 31, 2020

Note that if you do have substantial nitrite, the "measured" nitrate value may be way higher than actual nitrate.

1 ppm nitrite can read as 100 ppm nitrate with some kits.

jstncoffman · May 31, 2020

Let it do its thing, it will get ugly before its gets pretty, just be patient, have you added anything to the tank yet, livestock wise?

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

jstncoffman said:
Let it do its thing, it will get ugly before its gets pretty, just be patient, have you added anything to the tank yet, livestock wise?

No sir,
Should I add something? I thought this was the fishless cycle but im really in the dark here.

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Note that if you do have substantial nitrite, the "measured" nitrate value may be way higher than actual nitrate.

1 ppm nitrite can read as 100 ppm nitrate with some kits.

Randy,
I am using the API test strips and the Red Sea Master Test Kit to test Ammonia, Nitrates and Nirtrites. I think red sea is pretty accurate from what i read?

jstncoffman · May 31, 2020

Reefrookie733 said:
No sir,
Should I add something? I thought this was the fishless cycle but im really in the dark here.

I always do a fish cycle because nothing beats a natural cycle but this is the red sea kit yes?

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

jstncoffman said:
I always do a fish cycle because nothing beats a natural cycle but this is the red sea kit yes?

Yes sir it is Red Sea kit

jstncoffman · May 31, 2020

Okay cool I have used this kit, flow it to the T and it will be successful, test weekly and wait for the nitrite to go to 0 then watch the nitrates fall to 5ppm ammonia to subside then add some fish, a water change towards the end helps also,

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

jstncoffman said:
Okay cool I have used this kit, flow it to the T and it will be successful, test weekly and wait for the nitrite to go to 0 then watch the nitrates fall to 5ppm ammonia to subside then add some fish, a water change towards the end helps also,

Cool glad to hear im on the right track! thx

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

jstncoffman said:
Okay cool I have used this kit, flow it to the T and it will be successful, test weekly and wait for the nitrite to go to 0 then watch the nitrates fall to 5ppm ammonia to subside then add some fish, a water change towards the end helps also,

My ammonia yesterday was around 4-5 PPM and its been that way for about a week. I watched a video that said DR. Tims should absorb some of that ammonia?? and bring it down

BLAKsky · May 31, 2020

Hello! I have been lurking on R2R for a month or two now, and decided to finally register so I can reply since I wanted to help since I am currently cycling my tank and I can currently relate to your post.

I also am doing a fishless cycle with Dr. Tims + Ammonium Chloride. My advice to you is read up on these two links. It's what I've been following and it seems to be working out so far, it just takes time.
(Note: for me, it's taking a little longer than the schedule posted on the Dr Tim's website, so don't worry if yours doesn't match up exactly either -- just let it do it's thing)

Here are some important key takeaways I've found:

Fishless Cycling with DrTim's Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
In regards to adding ammonium chloride drops,
"When fishless cycling reduce the calculated water volume by about 20% to account for water displaced by substrate and decorations.

For example, if you have a 30 gallon tank subtract 6 gallons (20%) so figure 24 gallons as the final volume.
Use 4 drops AND ONLY 4 drops per gallon - is this case 24 gallons * 4 drops/gallon = 96 drops or 1 tsp."

Dr. Tim's - Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling

IMPORTANT - Do not let the ammonia OR nitrite concentration get above 5 ppm.
If either ammonia or nitrite concentration get above 5 ppm, do water changes to lower the concentration.
You do not have to add ammonia everyday - the bacteria do not have to be fed every day. Adding ammonia everyday will results in a sky-high nitrite reading and slow the cycling process.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Reefrookie733 · May 31, 2020

BLAKsky said:
Hello! I have been lurking on R2R for a month or two now, and decided to finally register so I can reply since I wanted to help since I am currently cycling my tank and I can currently relate to your post.

I also am doing a fishless cycle with Dr. Tims + Ammonium Chloride. My advice to you is read up on these two links. It's what I've been following and it seems to be working out so far, it just takes time.
(Note: for me, it's taking a little longer than the schedule posted on the Dr Tim's website, so don't worry if yours doesn't match up exactly either -- just let it do it's thing)

Here are some important key takeaways I've found:

Fishless Cycling with DrTim's Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
In regards to adding ammonium chloride drops,
"When fishless cycling reduce the calculated water volume by about 20% to account for water displaced by substrate and decorations.

For example, if you have a 30 gallon tank subtract 6 gallons (20%) so figure 24 gallons as the final volume.

Use 4 drops AND ONLY 4 drops per gallon - is this case 24 gallons * 4 drops/gallon = 96 drops or 1 tsp."

Dr. Tim's - Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling

IMPORTANT - Do not let the ammonia OR nitrite concentration get above 5 ppm.

If either ammonia or nitrite concentration get above 5 ppm, do water changes to lower the concentration.

You do not have to add ammonia everyday - the bacteria do not have to be fed every day. Adding ammonia everyday will results in a sky-high nitrite reading and slow the cycling process.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks Blake, opening the articles and reading them now. Thanks for the info as well!