Hello, I am asking a simple question for clarification and verification by Randy and not trying to stir up any kind of controversy or bad feelings.. It has been suggested that tank cycling knowledge has changed.
My understanding is with what ever method used (shrimp/live rock/bacteria in a bottle after ammonia dosing) we will see ammonia present and rise. as bacteria reproduce and feed, it will start to drop , nitrites will appear and peak as the ammonia is broken down and decreases, and then further along nitrates will peak as nitrites decrease to 0.
Once ammonia is gone, it should be safe to add critters slowly watching for mini cycles
I recognize many of the "color" tests for ammonia often look to show 0.25 present when is zero and often may have a larger standard deviation of error compared to digital (although calibration may be a factor with them)
Is testing for ammonia still the best way to know it is safe to add livestock? once it is at zero., it is safe. Are test kits accurate enough to use (i recognize some are a little better than others) in the sense they are actually detecting present ammonia.
I realize ammonia has to be quite high to be toxic to fish, adding livestock while not cycled can increase ammonia and stress and not the best practice.
I also realize I am older school and coming back to the hobby after a hiatus; if in fact, evidence states we can add bacteria in a bottle, not test and be safe to fully stock a tank right away , i would be happy to adopt best new practices/knowledge. , but would like to see citations and or expert opinion on the matter
thank you very much
My understanding is with what ever method used (shrimp/live rock/bacteria in a bottle after ammonia dosing) we will see ammonia present and rise. as bacteria reproduce and feed, it will start to drop , nitrites will appear and peak as the ammonia is broken down and decreases, and then further along nitrates will peak as nitrites decrease to 0.
Once ammonia is gone, it should be safe to add critters slowly watching for mini cycles
I recognize many of the "color" tests for ammonia often look to show 0.25 present when is zero and often may have a larger standard deviation of error compared to digital (although calibration may be a factor with them)
Is testing for ammonia still the best way to know it is safe to add livestock? once it is at zero., it is safe. Are test kits accurate enough to use (i recognize some are a little better than others) in the sense they are actually detecting present ammonia.
I realize ammonia has to be quite high to be toxic to fish, adding livestock while not cycled can increase ammonia and stress and not the best practice.
I also realize I am older school and coming back to the hobby after a hiatus; if in fact, evidence states we can add bacteria in a bottle, not test and be safe to fully stock a tank right away , i would be happy to adopt best new practices/knowledge. , but would like to see citations and or expert opinion on the matter
thank you very much