I'm 17 days out from starting my cycle with Dr. Tim's, dosing with ammonia chloride.
I observed Nitrite spiking up to 3ppm, and Ammonia dropping out to zero. Dosed and went to zero in 24 hrs, though still showed 2ppm Nitrite. Nitrates tested well high at this stage, roughly 64ppm via Red Sea test and confirmed with 50ppm Salifert test. I was not running any filtration during this time. Cycle seemed to be rolling.
With nitrates where they were, it seemed ready for a big water change. WC roughly 30% one day, still read 50ppm for Salifert. RedSea was better but hard to gauge. Performed another 30% WC the next day. Got filter floss in place, added carbon bag and installed a skimmer to boot. Two days later, now testing at 25ppm Salifert and 12ppm with RedSea. Ammonia is cold zero, but I'm showing maybe .5 Nitrites still. My lights are off and there is no sign of any algae.
What next? Do I:
1) Perform 1 more 30% WC and knock those Nitrates down for sure?
2) Get some fish in the tank and observe from there?
3) Just wait and see a few days if nitrites clean up and nitrate stays level?
Leaning towards 2. (And maybe buying ANOTHER Nitrate test (Nyos) because I'm not loving these right now )
I observed Nitrite spiking up to 3ppm, and Ammonia dropping out to zero. Dosed and went to zero in 24 hrs, though still showed 2ppm Nitrite. Nitrates tested well high at this stage, roughly 64ppm via Red Sea test and confirmed with 50ppm Salifert test. I was not running any filtration during this time. Cycle seemed to be rolling.
With nitrates where they were, it seemed ready for a big water change. WC roughly 30% one day, still read 50ppm for Salifert. RedSea was better but hard to gauge. Performed another 30% WC the next day. Got filter floss in place, added carbon bag and installed a skimmer to boot. Two days later, now testing at 25ppm Salifert and 12ppm with RedSea. Ammonia is cold zero, but I'm showing maybe .5 Nitrites still. My lights are off and there is no sign of any algae.
What next? Do I:
1) Perform 1 more 30% WC and knock those Nitrates down for sure?
2) Get some fish in the tank and observe from there?
3) Just wait and see a few days if nitrites clean up and nitrate stays level?
Leaning towards 2. (And maybe buying ANOTHER Nitrate test (Nyos) because I'm not loving these right now )