Speed
Aquarium Advice Activist
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2013
- Messages
- 155
I am starting a fishless cycle, 4 days into it. Lots of research done & owner of 2 larger tanks but have an odd issue. Its a 20 gallon tank, hob filter. Water lvl is dropped to make more "splash", lights running on normal schedule. I am dosing daily with ammonia. Day 1 8ppm, after dropping a lot on 2 day re added to 5ppm, and adding daily to maintain it. There hasnt been any "spikes" other than me adding it & it dropping. Doses again today to 5ppm, 9 hrs later it was at 1ppm so again redosed. I am having 0 Nitrites & 20 nitrates which is strictly from my tap water. So where is the ammonia going ? I have no live plants btw. I dont think its cycled because i have 0 & trites & trates, & i cant break down 5ppm ammonia in 8-12 hrs yet, but within 18-24 hrs, its gone & re-adding. I have used dirty (bacterial) water from filters on established tanks also. Any thoughts on whats going on with ammonia & where its going ? API test kit being used & not outdated.