Cycling question

[csoutherland]

Did my water test on Sunday and I guess my tank really started cycling then. My ammonia was 8 ppm or higher. I checked yesterday and it was 2 ppm and today is 1 ppm. Does this sound accurate for the time frame of my ammonia decreasing in the cycling process?

 

[TheTodd]

What are your other parameters? How are you cycling the tank... What is your ammonia source?

It is going to take 6-8 weeks if done properly. Levels, at any given time in the process, will vary from tank to tank depending on the size of tank, ammonia source, etc.

 

[csoutherland]

I haven't tested my other parameters in a few days because I'm waiting for what is supposed to be the "ammonia spike" to go down

 

[melosu58]

You should be checking ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.Nothing else till the cycle is over.

 

[csoutherland]

Once the cycle really gets going like it is now, how long does it usually take to finish?

 

[aquandrew]

Once the cycle really gets going like it is now, how long does it usually take to finish?

the longest part of cycling is the nitrite phase and that can take weeks to get to 0, you've just got to keep testing and be patient