I've setup a small display tank(fluval evo 13.5 gallons about 11 gallons of water volume (DT) and a 10 gallon quarantine tank--bare tank with a few PVC elbows, heater, HOB filters powerhead (QT). I started the cycle for each with Dr Tims one-and-only and using ammonium chloride. Im having some problems, I think, and I want to share my data to find a fix.
QT tank I haven't had any nitrite spike and I think this is because I added Prime to the water the day before starting a cycle. I did this because I had just cleaned all the equipment with bleach and wanted to make sure any residual didn't make it in the tank. In hindsight I can see that this effected the cycle. Filter is a HOB with matrix and a foam pad. no carbon. Based on knowing I added Prime I wonder if I should just do a big water change and keep pressing on.
DT tank, Didn't add Prime to the water because I didn't clean everything with bleach the day prior. The DT has dry rock and sand, Matrixm some carbon, and filter floss. I've been adding the ammonia and seeing nitrates so I wonder if its just taking a little longer. The Dr Tim's instructions pretty much give up on you at day 9--add fish. I think I need to not add more ammonia until I get a zero ammonia reading. please let me know what you think I should do.
QT tank I haven't had any nitrite spike and I think this is because I added Prime to the water the day before starting a cycle. I did this because I had just cleaned all the equipment with bleach and wanted to make sure any residual didn't make it in the tank. In hindsight I can see that this effected the cycle. Filter is a HOB with matrix and a foam pad. no carbon. Based on knowing I added Prime I wonder if I should just do a big water change and keep pressing on.
DT tank, Didn't add Prime to the water because I didn't clean everything with bleach the day prior. The DT has dry rock and sand, Matrixm some carbon, and filter floss. I've been adding the ammonia and seeing nitrates so I wonder if its just taking a little longer. The Dr Tim's instructions pretty much give up on you at day 9--add fish. I think I need to not add more ammonia until I get a zero ammonia reading. please let me know what you think I should do.