4.0 Ammonia

[The Duke]

Third day in fish less cycling. Added ammonia yesterday as water was testing at 2.0 ppm. Tested again last night and it was upto 4.0 ppm. Test for ammonia today is again 4.0ppm. I have not added anything this time, was hoping to get advice on here? Do I leave it and let the filter do its work or do I do something else? Btw nitrites are 0ppm for second day running.

 

[CezzaXV]

I'm guessing the test wasn't right the first time as there's nothing in your tank to be producing ammonia.

 

[The Duke]

Oh sorry I had already added first dose of ammonia to get the 2.0 reading

 

[The Duke]

Ok from what I can see it is the waiting game. I have read that I just need to wait for a drop in ammonia which should take a week or so. Then the nitrite will start showing up, does this sound about right?

 

[Xraymark]

Yep. Just a waiting game. Can take over two weeks for the ammonia to drop.
Get your temp up to 30C. Optimum ph 8.2. Let your outlet agitate the surface water to get some oxygen into the tank. Once your ammonia drops to zero just redose to 2ppm. Once that zero's in 24h then up it 3ppm. Then up it to 4ppm.

 

[gforce17]

I'm into week 7 and still not fully cycled. Ammonia is going down very quickly but nitrites still showing some levels which need to reduce before I will be totally happy. It doesn't happen quickly !

 

[pdludbrooke]

I'm into week 7 and still not fully cycled. Ammonia is going down very quickly but nitrites still showing some levels which need to reduce before I will be totally happy. It doesn't happen quickly !

I'm passing week 4 or was it 5, what annoys me is in the fishless cycle instructions it takes only 4 weeks or less

 

[Aqua Tom]

I'm into week 7 and still not fully cycled. Ammonia is going down very quickly but nitrites still showing some levels which need to reduce before I will be totally happy. It doesn't happen quickly !

I'm passing week 4 or was it 5, what annoys me is in the fishless cycle instructions it takes only 4 weeks or less

Well I think that is just an average, mine took nearly 9 weeks but I was glad I did it.


Tom

 

[gforce17]

I'm sure I've read the answer to this question but forgive me for repeating it - will the horrible fuzzy brown algae disperse of its own accord once the cycling is complete and the water is renewed? I have been clearing some of it with my long fluval scourer which I find very useful but it returns quickly at the moment.

 

[JDs4me]

I started 2nd april...now the ammonia is zeroing in 12hrs; waiting for the nitrites to move down...stick at it for the sake of those fish! Its a test of patience without a doubt; take heart in knowing you are not alone!!

 

[OldMan47]

You are definitely in the wait and see mode now Duke. It may well take another week or maybe a bit more to see your ammonia start to drop. I wouldn't even bother testing more than once every 2 or 3 days until you see a real drop.