Ammonia Am I Adding Right Amount?

[stacey3272]

I am going over all my tracks to make sure I am doing things right. I have a 55 gallon tank. The convertor said to put in 8.77 ML ammonia. So I have a medician dropper and its says 5 ml is the most it goes. So I I need to add almost 2 of them to make it come to 4 .



Does this all sound about right. I seem to add this amount twice a day. also If I read right my ammonia and Nitrite levels have to be at 0 with in 12 hours to be cycled and ready for fish.

 

[phocoena]

When it gets to adding it twice a day, continue just adding once a day.

And yes double 0's after 12 hours means it is cycled. Make sure you add a few days on to make sure it isn't a blip though.

 

[CezzaXV]

If you're measuring the ammonia after and it comes to around 4ppm, you're good.

It is correct that if your tank can turn 4ppm ammonia into nitrate in 12 hours you're good to go for fish. You only need to dose ammonia once a day though. Apparently it helps the bacteria to have a rest period.

 

[rousell]

I have been dosing twice daily throughout my cycle. Do I have To dose it and let it clear in 12 hour then leave it 12 hour before I dose it back up again? So I would be leaving the tank for 12 hour without any ammonia present? Sorry to hijack somebody else's thread. Cheers

 

[Aqua Tom]

I have been dosing twice daily throughout my cycle. Do I have To dose it and let it clear in 12 hour then leave it 12 hour before I dose it back up again? So I would be leaving the tank for 12 hour without any ammonia present? Sorry to hijack somebody else's thread. Cheers

No

Dose, then wait 12 hours & test, then wait 12 hours & dose.

Repeat


Tom

 

[stacey3272]

I have been dosing twice daily throughout my cycle. Do I have To dose it and let it clear in 12 hour then leave it 12 hour before I dose it back up again? So I would be leaving the tank for 12 hour without any ammonia present? Sorry to hijack somebody else's thread. Cheers

no problem every bit helps us all understand

 

[stacey3272]

I have been dosing twice daily throughout my cycle. Do I have To dose it and let it clear in 12 hour then leave it 12 hour before I dose it back up again? So I would be leaving the tank for 12 hour without any ammonia present? Sorry to hijack somebody else's thread. Cheers

No

Dose, then wait 12 hours & test, then wait 12 hours & dose.

Repeat


Tom

ok so if I test at 6 pm and its clear I dose. then at 6 am ( 12) hours and it is clear. I can does again at 6 am or wait until 6 pm

 

[rousell]

Thanks Tom.
Wait till 6pm if I understand correctly. Like I said above, I've been dosing twice daily. I wonder whether doing that has prolonged my cycle? Cheers

 

[CezzaXV]

You need to test every 12 hours, but dose every 24.

 

[stacey3272]

Thanks Tom.
Wait till 6pm if I understand correctly. Like I said above, I've been dosing twice daily. I wonder whether doing that has prolonged my cycle? Cheers

I think I have been doing the same as you.

 

[rousell]

Oh well, we live and learn don't we. I don't know where I got the idea of dosing twice from.

 

[CezzaXV]

Don't worry too much, it won't have really done any harm.

The guide that is stickied in the forums for fishless cycling isn't the best, tbh. There's a lot that's missing on it that you only find out when something goes wrong and you ask on the forums.