What Is Wrong With My Tank Cycle?

[reeftankdude]

I added the fishless ammonia fual and quick start bacteria yesterday. I did an ammonia test right after adding the fish fuel. There was ammonia in the tank according to my test. This morning test showed the ammonia gone, but no nitrite and no nitrate. What is going on? I did add some Prime, because I did not do a good job in rinsing the rocks with purified water. So a little chlorine showed up. The prime took care of the chlorine and I did a fifty percent water change. Afterwards all test came back good for me to add the fishless fual and bacteria after the tempature was right. Is it possible that the little Prime left in the water is masking my nitrite and nitrate test? I have a 20 gallon high tank with 5 gallons of rock and 15 gallons of water. I removed all filters so the bacteria will get in the rock and I am pumping 527 gallons per hour. Thanks all and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

[davidcalgary29]

"A watched pot will never boil".

Your tank is cycling. It won't take that long, but it will take at least several days, even if you have live rock. You will have to be patient.

Don't stress over ammonia levels; I'd test once per day...and with a reliable test kit. No API tests! Don't worry about water changes at this point.

 

[reeftankdude]

"A watched pot will never boil".

Your tank is cycling. It won't take that long, but it will take at least several days, even if you have live rock. You will have to be patient.

Don't stress over ammonia levels; I'd test once per day...and with a reliable test kit. No API tests! Don't worry about water changes at this point.

Why is there no nitrite and nitrate showing up? I am using lifeless white rock. Thanks

 

[davidcalgary29]

What tests are you using?

 

[reeftankdude]

What tests are you using?

Runbo

 

[davidcalgary29]

I hadn't heard of those before I looked them up on Amazon. 6-in-1 strips (if it is that product) are likely to be neither accurate nor easy to read. I've used them before, and they're not optimal and can provide false readings. I'd certainly move on to dedicated tests, such as those made by Red Sea. You don't need to buy Hanna checkers, although I have to say that the Hanna HR nitrate checker is really very good.

If you put ammonia into your tank, it's certainly going to be metabolized by something and broken down into its component compounds (including nitrite). The fact that you aren't detecting nitrites or nitrates, even though the ammonia's clearly being consumed, makes me suspect your test kit.

 

[reeftankdude]

I tried out my test kits against a friends tank and there are differences. I put some fishlees ammonia fuel in some water. Did a test which showed a large amount of ammonia. I think the amount of fishless fuel ammonia is not enough to show nitrate. I think my tank cycled overnight because I have 5 gallons of very porous rock, I removed all filters, and there is good water circulation. What say you? Thanks all

 

[Grapefruit509]

I tried out my test kits against a friends tank and there are differences. I put some fishlees ammonia fuel in some water. Did a test which showed a large amount of ammonia. I think the amount of fishless fuel ammonia is not enough to show nitrate. I think my tank cycled overnight because I have 5 gallons of very porous rock, I removed all filters, and there is good water circulation. What say you? Thanks all

100% doubt ur tank cycled overnight

 

[reeftankdude]

100% doubt ur tank cycled overnight

Trying to figure out what happened to the ammonia. Where did it go? Thanks

 

[CrimsonTide]

How much ammonia did you put in? What did your ammonia read when you tested what you put in it?

 

[reeftankdude]

How much ammonia did you put in? What did your ammonia read when you tested what you put in it?

I little less then 2 ppm. Thanks

 

[gbroadbridge]

I added the fishless ammonia fual and quick start bacteria yesterday. I did an ammonia test right after adding the fish fuel. There was ammonia in the tank according to my test. This morning test showed the ammonia gone, but no nitrite and no nitrate. What is going on? I did add some Prime, because I did not do a good job in rinsing the rocks with purified water. So a little chlorine showed up. The prime took care of the chlorine and I did a fifty percent water change. Afterwards all test came back good for me to add the fishless fual and bacteria after the tempature was right. Is it possible that the little Prime left in the water is masking my nitrite and nitrate test? I have a 20 gallon high tank with 5 gallons of rock and 15 gallons of water. I removed all filters so the bacteria will get in the rock and I am pumping 527 gallons per hour. Thanks all and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Welcome,

A Tank takes a minimum of 3 weeks to cycle, no matter if you use bottled bac or something else.

You can test every day if you like using test kits, but it doesn't make the tank cycle any faster.

At the end of 3 weeks test Nitrates using a decent test kit like Salifert or Red Sea.

If you have Nitrates the tank is cycled.

DO NOT worry about testing Nitrites, as they are almost completely irrelevant in Salt water tank.

If you have zero ammonia and some Nitrates at the end of a month, the tank is cycled.

Patience is all that is needed.

Regards
Graham.

 

[reeftankdude]

Welcome,

A Tank takes a minimum of 3 weeks to cycle, no matter if you use bottled bac or something else.

You can test every day if you like using test kits, but it doesn't make the tank cycle any faster.

At the end of 3 weeks test Nitrates using a decent test kit like Salifert or Red Sea.

If you have Nitrates the tank is cycled.

DO NOT worry about testing Nitrites, as they are almost completely irrelevant in Salt water tank.

If you have zero ammonia and some Nitrates at the end of a month, the tank is cycled.

Patience is all that is needed.

Regards
Graham.

So the bacteria will consume the ammonia before test show nitrates? Should I add a little amonnia daily to keep the bacteria feed? Thanks

 

[CrimsonTide]

I would assume there is something wrong with the test kits. It shouldn't read zero for anything after adding 2ppm ammonia.

 

[CrimsonTide]

What kind of bacteria did you add?

 

[reeftankdude]

What kind of bacteria did you add?

API Quick Start

 

[gbroadbridge]

So the bacteria will consume the ammonia before test show nitrates? Should I add a little amonnia daily to keep the bacteria feed? Thanks

A cycled tank basically converts Ammonia to Nitrite, and then Nitrite to Nitrate.

A zero Ammonia test coupled with visible Nitrate means the tank is cycled, even if Nitrite is still measurable.

Regards

 

[reeftankdude]

A cycled tank basically converts Ammonia to Nitrite, and then Nitrite to Nitrate.

A zero Ammonia test coupled with visible Nitrate means the tank is cycled, even if Nitrite is still measurable.

Regards

My tank shows zero ammonia but no nitrate. Thanks

 

[gbroadbridge]

My tank shows zero ammonia but no nitrate. Thanks

Add a little more ammonia so you have a reading. Use a decent ammonia test

 

[reeftankdude]

Add a little more ammonia so you have a reading. Use a decent ammonia test

I did read that ammonia is in the tank. How long before nitrite and nitrate show a positive test.