14g cycle question

[MdgtRac]

Hey everyone. Recently started a cycle on my 14g biocube. Dry rock and sand with marine pure bioballs in one chamber. No carbon just filter floss. Im using dr tims and the cycle has been a little slow but working.

Up until the last few days this being day 10 everything has been great. Ammonia would rise per dosing and after day three it started changing to nitrite. I dosed ammonia day 1, day 3 and day 8. Day 8 i had an ammonia reading of .50 ppm and dosed the standard 2ppm. My nitrites were between 3-4 ppm but according to the directions if its under 5 to dose again. Day 9 my ammonia read .25 but my nitrites were 5(probably higher). So ammonia is getting converted but the nitrite isnt moving fast enough to 0. Day 9 after testing i did a 15% water change.
I just tested today
Ph 7.9
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 5+ppm
Nitrates 10 ppm


My question is how is my progress. Should i dose ammonia again? Should i wait? 0 livestock in the tank. Should i add fish for the ammonia to be added naturally?

 

[Knucker]

You have Nitrite and Nitrates the cycle is working. You could add a hardy fish like a clown to help it along. I also recommend Seachem Prim this will buffer the Ammonia, and Nitrite. I would also add API Quick Start to help with biodiversity.

 

[MdgtRac]

You have Nitrite and Nitrates the cycle is working. You could add a hardy fish like a clown to help it along. I also recommend Seachem Prim this will buffer the Ammonia, and Nitrite. I would also add API Quick Start to help with biodiversity.

Should i add more ammonia until i get fish?

 

[Knucker]

Nah, maybe a bit of food wouldn't hurt.

 

[ScottJ]

Prime doesn't do anything to ammonia. Lots of info about it, just search.

 

[Knucker]

Prime doesn't do anything to ammonia. Lots of info about it, just search.

From personal experience I would say it does. I did a 15g cycle with live sand, Quick start, Prodibio Start Up, and Seachem Prime finished it in a week.