Beginning to cycle..questions

[Hbbambislayer]

That's what they should be at this ffar into the cycle. We can waste time and water to get the nitrites down but after 1 day of 4ppm ammo they'll be back up to 5+ again that's why you wait until ammo is dropping correctly than focus on the nitrites don't worry you're moving right along I promise.

 

[brybell]

That's what they should be at this ffar into the cycle. We can waste time and water to get the nitrites down but after 1 day of 4ppm ammo they'll be back up to 5+ again that's why you wait until ammo is dropping correctly than focus on the nitrites don't worry you're moving right along I promise.

so dose again now or wait til morning? i know it will be 0 by then...

 

[Hbbambislayer]

Tomorrow every 24 hours never dose more than 1 time a day

 

[brybell]

Tomorrow every 24 hours never dose more than 1 time a day

well crap, i didnt see this til after.

I dosed again to around 4ppm.

saw your post this morning so i tested to make sure i didnt mess anything up lol..

ammo was down to .25, so I just left it and ill wait to tonight to do anything.

so 4ppm --> .25ppm in less than 12hrs.

i will update tonight...

i think based on a few guides i will now only dose a small amount of ammo everyday, and just wait for nitrites to begin dropping, or for nitrates to spike then do a pwc? cuz i am already seeing nitrates. then see if i can get 0 -> 0 -> nitrates...

 

[Hbbambislayer]

Thats not correct imo but you do what youd like

 

[brybell]

Thats not correct imo but you do what youd like

well what is correct. that just seems to be what i have read.

what would you do now?

 

[brybell]

and i was more asking than saying that is how I am gonna do it.

 

[Hbbambislayer]

I was just giving my opinion. 4ppm ammo to 0 ammo and nitritres in a 24 hour span is your goal. You havent even gotten the ammo to get to 0 yet. Again Worry about the ammo first then worry about the nitrites. Patience is the key. That's why I haven't said a word about what to do once the ammo does drop to 0 2 days in a row and start dealing with the nitrites

 

[Hbbambislayer]

Your only a week into the cycle you stilk have 2+ weeks to go

 

[brybell]

Your only a week into the cycle you stilk have 2+ weeks to go

I understand that. I am patient. I am only excited, not trying to rush anything. I believe I am converting 4 -> 0 but we will know for sure tonight.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Hbbambislayer]

If they are at 0 thats good 2 days in a row is better than you know test not a fluke. Sounds like thursday you can focus on the nitrites.

 

[Magus Rex]

See my post for using Rid x septic tank bacteria recently posted if you want to do a rapid cycle for a heavily fish loaded tank.

 

[brybell]

If they are at 0 thats good 2 days in a row is better than you know test not a fluke. Sounds like thursday you can focus on the nitrites.

sounds good. just tested and ammo looks to be at <.1ppm. the slightest tinge of green.

Nitrites 5ppm

 

[brybell]

ammo at 0 after dosing to 4ppm last night.

nitrites very high, i believe to be off the chart or just past 5ppm.

pH a lil lower seeming....7.6-7.8

 

[Hbbambislayer]

I say 4ppm on the ammo again hopefully you get 0 again tomorrow night than its nitrite time

 

[Magus Rex]

Go to on this site http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/cycling-with-septic-tank-products-67666-2.html, there you will find all you need to know on how to do rapid cycle (24 hour ready for fish usually) a tank in a fishless manner. The thread is about using septic tank bacterial treatments as a cycling agent and my explanation as to why to not do so will also tell you everything you need to know and do. I made several responses so read down the thread.

 

[Magus Rex]

go to page 2 of the replies and look for me.

 

[brybell]

I say 4ppm on the ammo again hopefully you get 0 again tomorrow night than its nitrite time

Sounds good!

Oh, and FYI, I bought the Current LED + light to replace my current t8 15w, im excited. I get it Monday. Hopefully my plants do well, i am sticking to low light.

Have a bunch of anubias in it right now, i really like them.

 

[brybell]

go to page 2 of the replies and look for me.

ok thanks but since I already started my cycle I don't think I am going to do anything different.

 

[Hbbambislayer]

I like the low light plants to there natural, fish like that more I guess and not much care is needed for them I can just focus on the fish, I have 3 broadleaf anubias, 6 java ferns, some good patches of Java Moss, and a bunch of hornwort my 55 has a messy pond look that was kinda my goal my only problem is the hornwort I love it but man it's messy my 2 canister filters were packed with junk from it may have to get rid of it get something else