Ammonia not spiking during cycle

[IXP7633]

So 2 weeks ago I started my 69 gallon tank with dry Marco rock, live sand, Dr Tims One and Only, and a cocktail shrimp. After 3 days I began testing and I seen no real rise in ammonia and a very small rise in nitrite. At the 1 week mark I pulled out the shrimp and replaced it with a raw shrimp thinking maybe that was the problem. 1 week later I still see no rise in ammonia. Any reason for this? Or any ideas?

 

[James77]

One cocktail shrimp is pretty minor as far as decomposition, especially in 70 gallons of water. That rise in nitrite was the cycle happening.

Where is your nitrite now? If you test for nitrate, you may see a little bump.

Edit...in other words, you had your cycle :). Just go easy with bioload and let it catch up to any increase.

 

[ColdOceanReef]

Sometimes it does take longer for Ammonia to raise. Also you could have ammonia spike over night..did you test nitrites again? If you don’t see high nitrites, then wait a few days then test ammonia again. Nitrites will show up at the end of ammonia.

As James stated, take it easy with bioload. You may experience a stall in ammonia if you go crazy on bioload.