3Rd Week Fishless Cycle

[Skins]

Hello everybody,
I'm going to show you all the last three parameter checks that i have made,

Fri 24th Sept:
Tank temp 29c
ammonia 2-4ppm
nitrite 5ppm+
nitrate 10ppm
pH 7.4

Sat 25th Sept:
tank temp 29c
ammonia 2ppm
nitrite 5ppm

Mon 27th Sept:
ammonia 2ppm
nitrite 0ppm (checked twice)
nitrate 20-40 ppm

I can't understand why the ammonia levels have not gone to 0ppm. Should i raise the ammonia level back to 4ppm or wait until it falls to 0ppm?
Could the reason for there still being traces of ammonia be that food is still breaking down?
Please note that food was replaced by Household ammonia on the 18th sept from advise given.
Kind regards, Keith.

 

[jmkgreen]

You probably saw the nitrites turn to nitrates. Normal, nothing to worry about.

You can either dose the ammonia every time it returns down to zero or keep the levels of ammonia high until they are entirely consumed within hours. Up to you really.

 

[BigIan]

Yep the Nitrite bacteria can grow suddenly and so the nitrite can drop suddenly. the key factor now is how long it takes for 4ppm ammonia to process. once you are processing 4ppm of ammonia in 12 or less hours your cycled.

 

[Skins]

Thanks for your replies you have put my mind at rest.