When is my cycle complete

[TK_KW]

I'm going on 22nd day of my cycle. I used Seed as directed off bottle. I used Marco dry rock. I have been ghost feeding since first day of cycle. I've never noticed any ammonia spikes. Nitrate is currently .02ppm. Phosphate is 0. Small amount diatom on glass but nothing on the rocks compared to my QT tanks.
Should i buy ammonia and dose to test the bacteria levels?

Has been no uv, no lights on, no skimmer running.

 

[JoshH]

Have you tested for ammonia or nitrites atall?

 

[TK_KW]

Hey @JoshH, Nitrites no I dont currently have that test. And ammonia I just currently have the badge.

Should I buy some more test kits. I have Hanna checker Phosphate, Dkh, Cal. And find them great. And Salifert Copper and Nitrate. Lfs talked me out of getting them from Hanna

 

[ccombs]

The ammonia alerts have a slow response time, however they should have been fast enough to show an ammonia spike.

One test you can do is get some ammonia and dose it to 2ppm in your tank. Your tank should read 2ppm, then 24 hours later should be at 0.

This seems to be the accepted rate of ammonia breakdown in our hobby for knowing it is cycled.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Depending on your tank size 2ppm in 24 hours is considered cycled. I'd run skimmer and just let it overflow back into sump, good for oxygen in water. Definitely go get nitrite and ammonia test kits, and as ccombs said dose ammonium into tank to 2ppm and wait. I've also read warming the tank to 80 degrees can help accelerate cycle.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Also maybe look into bacteria in a bottle products if you're becoming impatient. Although controversial on if they work or not.

 

[TK_KW]

The ammonia alerts have a slow response time, however they should have been fast enough to show an ammonia spike.

One test you can do is get some ammonia and dose it to 2ppm in your tank. Your tank should read 2ppm, then 24 hours later should be at 0.

This seems to be the accepted rate of ammonia breakdown in our hobby for knowing it is cycled.

i was thinking of doing the dosing. Just need to find Ammonia

 

[ccombs]

i was thinking of doing the dosing. Just need to find Ammonia

Dr. Tim has Ammonia Chloride specifically for this purpose. Grocery stores also have ammonia, but note you will want to find ammonia that is soap and scent free. A lot of people feel more comfortable with Dr. Tim's product since it is specifically for the purpose and you know it doesn't have any extras.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Dr. Tim has Ammonia Chloride specifically for this purpose. Grocery stores also have ammonia, but note you will want to find ammonia that is soap and scent free. A lot of people feel more comfortable with Dr. Tim's product since it is specifically for the purpose and you know it doesn't have any extras.

Fritz also makes a similar product.

 

[TK_KW]

Dr. Tim has Ammonia Chloride specifically for this purpose. Grocery stores also have ammonia, but note you will want to find ammonia that is soap and scent free. A lot of people feel more comfortable with Dr. Tim's product since it is specifically for the purpose and you know it doesn't have any extras.

Finding access to quite a few of these products is an absolute pita.....Lfs doesnt carry, or Canadian government bans. When i had a fluke outbreak, i sent a employee of mine to cross the boarder and get me GC and praziopro to treat. All i could get was IchX. Im about hour and a half to the boarder, and he is ten minutes, but seriously, pita

 

[JoshH]

Finding access to quite a few of these products is an absolute pita.....Lfs doesnt carry, or Canadian government bans. When i had a fluke outbreak, i sent a employee of mine to cross the boarder and get me GC and praziopro to treat. All i could get was IchX. Im about hour and a half to the boarder, and he is ten minutes, but seriously, pita

Definately a pain getting things in Canada, you can get Dr tims delivered to canada( I've only had 3 of there products delivered, one was the ammonium chloride). And ideally you would have an actual ammonia test (API is fine for this) they also have a nitrite kit. I don't mind using cheaper test kits for cycling tanks cause you only use them once.