Cycling help - ammonia and nitrate reading, no nitrite

[abg]

Started cycling my tank 5 days ago. Dosed 2 ppm of Dr Tim’s ammonia the first day and verified it was at 2 the day after, since then ammonia has dropped to 1 and has been there the last 3 days. Still no nitrite reading but Nitrate reads at 5. Checked my tap water and it’s not coming from there.

I’ve been using Dr Tim’s Ammonia for initial dosing and Stability everyday per directions on the bottle.

I have my filter and pump running, heater set to 82°, pH is 6.6, my light has been off. I have drift wood and 2 plants in my tank. Using Fluval stratum for bottom.

I don’t know if I’m being dramatic or if I’m just impatient. This is the first tank I’ve cycled and I’ve been reading mixed things about waiting to add ammonia or if I should redose to get to 2 ppm.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

What test kit are you using?

 

[SliceGolfer]

You have driftwood and plants in a saltwater aquarium?

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

You will not always get nitrite readings. As long as you are getting nitrate you will know that nitrite is being converted to nitrate. But don’t add anything until both ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrate is low.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Started cycling my tank 5 days ago. Dosed 2 ppm of Dr Tim’s ammonia the first day and verified it was at 2 the day after, since then ammonia has dropped to 1 and has been there the last 3 days. Still no nitrite reading but Nitrate reads at 5. Checked my tap water and it’s not coming from there.

I’ve been using Dr Tim’s Ammonia for initial dosing and Stability everyday per directions on the bottle.

I have my filter and pump running, heater set to 82°, pH is 6.6, my light has been off. I have drift wood and 2 plants in my tank. Using Fluval stratum for bottom.

I don’t know if I’m being dramatic or if I’m just impatient. This is the first tank I’ve cycled and I’ve been reading mixed things about waiting to add ammonia or if I should redose to get to 2 ppm.

When ammonia rises then falls and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.
I suspect you are using API kits , and if so, I would suggest taking a water sample to a trusted LFS and see what numbers they come up with and to compare with yours then you will know where your readings are at.

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome!

 

[abg]

Welcome to R2R!

What test kit are you using?

Using API Master Test Kit

You have driftwood and plants in a saltwater aquarium?

Sorry I didn’t even put together the name of the site and saltwater. I kept finding answers for freshwater on here. Sorry I didn’t clarify!

 

[purpfish]

We need a fw section on here lol

 

[Psyduck]

phew! Driftwood in reef tank sounds kinda cool tho!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[DoktorZhivago]

Started cycling my tank 5 days ago. Dosed 2 ppm of Dr Tim’s ammonia the first day and verified it was at 2 the day after, since then ammonia has dropped to 1 and has been there the last 3 days. Still no nitrite reading but Nitrate reads at 5. Checked my tap water and it’s not coming from there.

I’ve been using Dr Tim’s Ammonia for initial dosing and Stability everyday per directions on the bottle.

I have my filter and pump running, heater set to 82°, pH is 6.6, my light has been off. I have drift wood and 2 plants in my tank. Using Fluval stratum for bottom.

I don’t know if I’m being dramatic or if I’m just impatient. This is the first tank I’ve cycled and I’ve been reading mixed things about waiting to add ammonia or if I should redose to get to 2 ppm.

In freshwater tanks plants will take up ammonia directly. You are not cycling yet. Wait until you start seeing nitrites. It will take a few weeks for everything to happen so just follow the DR tim directions and be patient

 

[SliceGolfer]

Sorry I didn’t even put together the name of the site and saltwater. I kept finding answers for freshwater on here. Sorry I didn’t clarify!

No worries. As you’re still cycling, that gives you time to pour everything out and correct not going saltwater to begin with! Joking… good luck with your build.

 

[RockRash]

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!

 

[fishface NJ]

Welcome to R2R