Cycling

[bobbyg04]

Hey guys so i recently began using dr tims to start cycling my tank and I had a few questions in regards to the results to the tests of my ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. I'm about a week into using the product and I was raising my ammonia to 2ppm. I'm using API's saltwater master kit. So I am keeping track of my results and it takes about 2 days for my ammonia to drop down to 0 ppm based off the color chart my nitrites are at about 2-5 ppm and my nitrates are steadily staying at about 40 ppm. Should I wait for my nitrites to drop to 0 before adding more of dr tims ammonia or should I dose it gain right when just the ammonia hits 0? Thanks in advance guys!

 

[adamk]

you dont have to keep dosing ammonia....all you need is an initial ammonia source to kick start the cycle
now after your ammonia and nitrites read zero you can dose 1-2 ppm and if its all back down to zero in 24 hours your cycle is complete

 

[MmmmBalf]

I followed Dr Tim's instructions which usually calls for dosing ammonia around 3 times, which is what I ended up doing before the cycle was complete.

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling