Cycling Question

[PinkPanther]

Hello everyone, I’m new here and had a question about my cycle.

I started a fishless cycle on April 22 using Dr. Tim’s One and Only. Two days later, I tested and saw both ammonia and nitrite present (see pic 1). Over the next few days, ammonia rose and then dropped.

Now, about 12 days in, my ammonia is reading 0, but my nitrite is still high. Is this normal, or should I be doing anything at this stage?

 

[steveschuerger]

Um where’s the pic?
Also did you use dry rock or live rock?
If you used any live rock tank is basically ready to go.

 

[PinkPanther]

Um where’s the pic?
Also did you use dry rock or live rock?
If you used any live rock tank is basically ready to go.

Sorry, user error, I thought they uploaded. Should be there now. I used the Caribsea LifeRock that came with the kit. Thanks again in advance for any insight, just interested to know where I am at in the process.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Your tank is cycled when the ecosystem can process 2ppm ammonia to zero in 24 hours for, say, 4 days running. And you don't need to test for nitrites. Nitrites are important in freshwater tanks. Test for nitrates.

 

[PinkPanther]

What’s optimal nitrate levels ? When testing for it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What’s optimal nitrate levels ? When testing for it.

You cannot reliably test for it when nitrite is elevated as it gives a large false high nitrate signal with most kits.

Nitrate will not be too high after cycling a couple of times with 2 ppm ammonia.

 

[PinkPanther]

What’s optimal nitrate levels ? When testing for it.

You cannot reliably test for it when nitrite is elevated as it gives a large false high nitrate signal with most kits.

Nitrate will not be too high after cycling a couple of times with 2 ppm ammonia.

So you suggest that, dose ammonia?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So you suggest that, dose ammonia?

You are likely cycled, though it seems pretty fast for Dr Tims. You did add ammonia, right?

But adding ammonia to 2 ppm again will verify it if it drops to very little in a day.

 

[PinkPanther]

So you suggest that, dose ammonia?

You are likely cycled, though it seems pretty fast for Dr Tims. You did add ammonia, right?

But adding ammonia to 2 ppm again will verify it if it drops to very little in a day.

I ghost fed like it was suggested with the kit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I ghost fed like it was suggested with the kit.

That’s more complicated. It may not be cycled. I’d get an ammonia solution and dose to 2 ppm total ammonia, verify it by test, then watch it decline.

 

[PinkPanther]

Do have any recommendations? When comes to ammonia

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

One could buy a dosing solution, such as dr Tim’s, or food grade ammonium chloride or bicarbonate from Amazon. I have recipes for the latter as many of us use it for dosing N.