Alec's 75g cycling thread!

[awilson133]

Okay well should I go ahead and add ammonia?

 

[jlk]

Add 2ppm if you haven't added any yet. If you have, no big deal.

 

[awilson133]

Dang it I added 4.. oops lol

 

[jlk]

No big deal! Let us know how your numbers look when you check them though I suspect it may be time for a water change.

 

[awilson133]

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 5.0 or higher.
Ph 7.6
Nitrates 160 lol

 

[jlk]

If you havent dosed, skip it for tonight. If your doing a wc, then your fine to dose.

 

[awilson133]

I did a 60% wc..
My nitrates 90
Nitrites 2.0
Ph 7.9

 

[awilson133]

Should I only do 2.0 ppm of ammonia?

 

[jlk]

The wc brought your ph back up some & dropped your nitrites- good job! Yes, try dropping dose down 2ppm for a few days & let's see if your nitrite>nitrate bacteria can get up to speed.

 

[awilson133]

Okay

 

[awilson133]

Ammonia 0
Nitrites .50
Nitrates 90
Ph 7.9

 

[awilson133]

I'm hoping that cycling will finish up soon..I'm leave on the 19th thru the 23rd of july. I don't know what to do

 

[jlk]

Your numbers look good! Dont worry about leaving for a couple of days- if its not cycled when you leave, just dose the amm & it will be fine until you return.

 

[awilson133]

Are you sure? Should I do a full 4.0ppm?

 

[jlk]

Yes! It will be fine! I have experimented with my qt quite a bit (which I keep cycled with amm)- I have left it for 5-6 days with nothing & have never had an issue keeping it cycled. I have also helped others that left a tank for a month (or longer) and they were able to get their tanks back on track within a week or two (which even surprised me!). As long as your ph is fine before you leave (if not, wc before dosing), I wouldnt be worried.

 

[awilson133]

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 100
Ph 7.9

 

[jlk]

Thats great! I believe your last dose was 2ppm or was it 4ppm?

 

[awilson133]

I know lol it was 2.0

 

[jlk]

Ok, increase it to 3ppm & lets see what tomorrow brings!

 

[awilson133]

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 140
Ph 7.7