Ammonia

[HD65]

Hi everyone.

Ive been cycling my tank for just over 2 weeks and everything is going great, my issue is with the ammonia levels.
My nitrate has eventually come right down to only 1ppm this morning, my nitrate is off the chart all this sounds like my cycle is very near complete but my ammonia level wont drop below 0.50ppm, I have been topping up the ammonia every day to about 3ppm and this drops to 0.25/0.50 in 11hrs but wont go any lower.Is this normal.

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

Do a waterchange to get those Nitrates down. When you top up Ammonia you must wait for it to go to 0 before adding more.

 

[HD65]

Do a waterchange to get those Nitrates down. When you top up Ammonia you must wait for it to go to 0 before adding more.

I was led to believe that you dont do a water change until the cycle was complete, Ive been waiting for the nitrites to drop to 0 before any water change incase it would alter the test results.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Do you have a planted tank? That really helps with ammonia levels and gaining a balance.

 

[HD65]

Do you have a planted tank? That really helps with ammonia levels and gaining a balance.

Hi.

Ive got 10 plants in at the moment, but was looking to get more when the cycle was complete. Ive got 3 pieces of bogwood and have made a couple of slate caves. As the nitrite has dropped a lot overnight and the nitrate has increased sharply then am I right to think that the cycle is nearly complete.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

No, the nitrate will continue to build until you do a water change. My personal opinion, is that you don't need to do a water change, but there are far more experienced people than me around here. Just don't add ammonia until you get a 0 reading, it won't do any harm if the tank goes a short period of time without you adding ammonia.

You are probably getting close to the end but I wouldn't count yourself as done until you get a 0 reading for both ammonia and nitrite for a few days running.

 

[OldMan47]

There is no need to do a water change to control nitrates in a fishless cycle. The nitrates will build and may eventually cause a drop in pH but until that point just leave it alone. There is also no need to top off ammonia until it drops to zero. As long as some ammonia remains, the ammonia processors will use it to increase their numbers. Even if you see zero ammonia at 12 hours, wait until the full 24 hour point to add any more.

 

[HD65]

My readings this morning are.

ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8
Nitrate 120

how many days at these levels would all you lovely people suggest I wait before jumping with joy that my tank has cycled.
I have been topping up the ammonia to 3ppm every day.

 

[mrvillicus]

the nitrates should be below 50 shouldnt they?

 

[HD65]

the nitrates should be below 50 shouldnt they?

They will be after the cycle has finished and Ive done a water change, Well thats the plan anyway.

 

[mrvillicus]

ahhhhhhhh ok

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Opinion is quite varied on how long to wait, I've heard 1 week, 2 weeks...I personally think a few days is fine.

 

[HD65]

thanks for all the advice and help, I also thought it was only a few days. with any luck I wont need to ask any more cycling questions.