I have been doing a fishless cycle for the past few weeks on a 75 gal with 30 gal sump (maybe 22 actual gallons in sump). I am using the ammonia method, and here is a brief overview:
After filling the tank and getting the temprature up, i started a HOB filter with a cartridge and bio wheel from another tank, started adding ammonia until I reached 4 ppm (it took 25 ml), then tested and tested and tested, watched the nitrItes climb then the nitrAtes, when they went back down I would dose it again and watch the levels go up then down. I have repeated this 6 times now, the last two took less than 24 hours to consume the nitrItes. Between times i would add a 5ml dose to feed the bacteria while i was researching to decide if it was done.
So I think I am ready...right?
The thing I am questioning is, shouldnt I have high nitrAtes now? Last nights test showed zero across the board??? Can this be? Most of my research has said that you will need to do a 50-75% water change to bring down the high nitrAtes???
Iam ready to start moving fish, but dont want to screw it up.
After filling the tank and getting the temprature up, i started a HOB filter with a cartridge and bio wheel from another tank, started adding ammonia until I reached 4 ppm (it took 25 ml), then tested and tested and tested, watched the nitrItes climb then the nitrAtes, when they went back down I would dose it again and watch the levels go up then down. I have repeated this 6 times now, the last two took less than 24 hours to consume the nitrItes. Between times i would add a 5ml dose to feed the bacteria while i was researching to decide if it was done.
So I think I am ready...right?
The thing I am questioning is, shouldnt I have high nitrAtes now? Last nights test showed zero across the board??? Can this be? Most of my research has said that you will need to do a 50-75% water change to bring down the high nitrAtes???
Iam ready to start moving fish, but dont want to screw it up.