Day 6 drums cycle

[arawona1964]

No change in the ammonia reading yet and the nitrite is still 0

Do I add more ammonium tomorrow as per instructions or do I leave it in vas e it spikes the ammonia this is according to Chat gpt

I would rather have an real expert advice

The title should say dr Tim’s

 

[KrisReef]

The ammonia looks very high, so do not add any extra. Eventually the microbes will get to work, but I do wonder if your Dr. Tims bottle got frozen and the bacteria perished? Even if that is the case, these microbes will eventually bloom and the tank will cycle. Elevating the temperature can speed up microbial colonization, 80F.

 

[arawona1964]

The ammonia looks very high, so do not add any extra. Eventually the microbes will get to work, but I do wonder if your Dr. Tims bottle got frozen and the bacteria perished? Even if that is the case, these microbes will eventually bloom and the tank will cycle. Elevating the temperature can speed up microbial colonization, 80F.

Thanks for the reply I’m in no rush will test again tomorrow

 

[KrisReef]

No need to re-test ammonia before you detect nitrite, or nitrate.

 

[arawona1964]

No need to re-test ammonia before you detect nitrite, or nitrate.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Just to add something, remember that ammonia levels that are too high can stall a cycle. It's a big poopy pants situation. And hey!!! Congrats on the new tank!

 

[arawona1964]

Just to add something, remember that ammonia levels that are too high can stall a cycle. It's a big poopy pants situation. And hey!!! Congrats on the new tank!

It’s at 2 at the moment and has need since cycle started

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'm jealous. I'm retiring in a few days and was going to start up a 204g tank. Then I thought, 'You're gonna travel for weeks at a time!'. So no joy here! I'll probably start up a 40g FO and keep it simple. The neighbor can feed them!

 

[arawona1964]

I'm jealous. I'm retiring in a few days and was going to start up a 204g tank. Then I thought, 'You're gonna travel for weeks at a time!'. So no joy here! I'll probably start up a 40g FO and keep it simple. The neighbor can feed them!

Sounds like a plan good luck with it

 

[Fish Fan]

I wouldn't add more ammonia, just let it do its thing. 6 Days isn't anything to worry about yet, a fish-less cycle like this often takes 3-4 weeks to complete, so just give it some more time

 

[arawona1964]

I wouldn't add more ammonia, just let it do its thing. 6 Days isn't anything to worry about yet, a fish-less cycle like this often takes 3-4 weeks to complete, so just give it some more time

Thanks I’m in no rush just curious I’m
Doing things right if I follow the dr Tim’s instructions I’ll
Be putting more ammonium in tomorrow

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks I’m in no rush just curious I’m
Doing things right if I follow the dr Tim’s instructions I’ll
Be putting more ammonium in tomorrow

I wouldn't add more ammonia, you've already got the concentration where it needs to be. Adding too much ammonia (even if Dr. Tim's instructions say so) can prolong the cycle, and lead to sky-high nitrate when it's over

 

[arawona1964]

Thanks I’m in no rush just curious I’m
Doing things right if I follow the dr Tim’s instructions I’ll
Be putting more ammonium in tomorrow

I wouldn't add more ammonia, you've already got the concentration where it needs to be. Adding too much ammonia (even if Dr. Tim's instructions say so) can prolong the cycle, and lead to sky-high nitrate when it's over

Appreciate your help I won’t be adding more cheers

 

[arawona1964]

Thanks I’m in no rush just curious I’m
Doing things right if I follow the dr Tim’s instructions I’ll
Be putting more ammonium in tomorrow

I wouldn't add more ammonia, you've already got the concentration where it needs to be. Adding too much ammonia (even if Dr. Tim's instructions say so) can prolong the cycle, and lead to sky-high nitrate when it's over

Appreciate your help I won’t be adding more cheers

I turned temp up to see if that would get it going to

 

[arawona1964]

Sump set up

 

[oakcityreefer]

What are you running your salinity at? Dr Tim’s says you can run it down to 20ppt and it would be less stress on bacteria.

 

[Fish Fan]

What are you running your salinity at? Dr Tim’s says you can run it down to 20ppt and it would be less stress on bacteria.

This is true, but then you have to raise it back up slowly, and I'm not sure this is worth the trouble

 

[Fish Fan]

Sump set up

You can turn your skimmer off during the cycle too. It's not a big deal either way, but most people don't run their skimmer until after the cycle

 

[arawona1964]

Sump set up

You can turn your skimmer off during the cycle too. It's not a big deal either way, but most people don't run their skimmer until after the cycle

It was off for the first 3 days so hopefully ok

 

[arawona1964]

Today’s cycle tests nitrite has gone clear was light blue so maybe it’s starting to shift ammonia is lighter ph same