Aquarium Cycling - Too Much Ammonia?

[chibul]

Hey everyone!

New to this but I've tried to do a bunch of research. Have the liquid testing kit and all that. I'm on Day 3 of a fishless cycle. Water temp is 87°. I added pure ammonia to jumpstart the bio filter (nobody I know has a tank for me to use). My ammonia reading is 8ppm with no nitrites or nitrates - so I'm pretty sure I added too much. Do I need to do a water change, or will the process still kick off even with that high of an ammonia count?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Barliman]

I would leave it alone for a few days. Measure it in a week to see if the ammonia has come down and if nitrites have started developing.

 

[chibul]

Great! I'll do that. Thanks so much!

 

[Barliman]

Great! I'll do that. Thanks so much!

De nada.

Once ammonia and nitrites reach zero again, add just enough pure ammonia to bring the ppm to between 2 to 4, then wait until both reach zero again to add more. Follow this pattern until both reach zero in 24 hours. Once that happens, check nitrates: it will probably be sky high. At that point, do a massive water change or two to bring nitrates to under 5ppm. At that point, you're ready for fish.

 

[chibul]

Sounds great! I'll update in a week

 

[chibul]

So I tested again today. My ammonia was between 4-8, so it's starting to come down. My nitrite however is still 0. Is that cause for concern?

 

[Barliman]

So I tested again today. My ammonia was between 4-8, so it's starting to come down. My nitrite however is still 0. Is that cause for concern?

I don't think so. You're still developing the ammonia-eating bacteria. Give it a few more days and I bet you'll see a high nitrite reading.

 

[chibul]

Sounds great. thanks!

 

[Barliman]

Keep us posted with developments.

 

[FishyMamma]

If I remember correctly, the nitrite eating bacteria are slower to develop.

Any plans on what you're going to do with your tank?



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[chibul]

In terms of fish? We're looking at some zebra dainos, mollies and possibly tetras.

 

[Barliman]

If I remember correctly, the nitrite eating bacteria are slower to develop.

That's my understanding, too.

 

[chibul]

No change in ammonia as of yet. Day 9.

I do have about an inch or so of water evaporation...and the sole live plant that's in there is dead. Water is a little cloudy, but from what I've read that will go away on its own?

 

[chibul]

Day 14. Still no change in ammonia. Starting to wonder if I've done something wrong.

 

[Caliban07]

Day 14. Still no change in ammonia. Starting to wonder if I've done something wrong.

No you haven't. Any time now ammonia will start to fall.


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[chibul]

Great. Thanks! The waiting game is hard.

 

[Caliban07]

Great. Thanks! The waiting game is hard.

You'll get there. Nitrite phase is the hardest. Once you see nitrites go easy on ammonia otherwise you will have a backlog of nitrites that take forever to fall. You'll be around the 4 week mark at this point.


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[chibul]

Got it. I haven't added any ammonia since the first day - have been waiting for it to fall to 1-2 before doing that. Only testing for nitrites every 3-4 days, testing for ammonia daily though

 

[Caliban07]

Got it. I haven't added any ammonia since the first day - have been waiting for it to fall to 1-2 before doing that. Only testing for nitrites every 3-4 days, testing for ammonia daily though

I think you've done it the right way to be honest. One dose of 4ppm then wait for nitrites is how I would do it. They are definitely going to show in the next day or two.


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[chibul]

Sounds great. I'll start testing for those tomorrow.