Brown Tinge Around Bogwood + Ammonia Levels

[DJC1]

I'm about four days into my fishless cycle and have just got back from being away for a day and a half.

I've got back and the ammonia is around 3-4ppm (it was around 6ppm before I left).

Firstly, is this slow speed of drop usual?

Secondly, there is a brown tinge in the water, which is concentrated around the bogwood. It was soaked in hot water on more than one occasion, and placed in the tank four days ago.

Now I know that the wood can still release tannins into the water, but the water really has gone quite dull in the lower part of the tank (it appears lighter at the top, but that may be due to the lights), and has a definate brown tinge to it.

Will this water only ever get clear again with a water change, and will it alwys turn slighlty brown after several days?

While I think of it, is Aqua One Water Conditioner a suitable water conditioner - it says 'neutralises chlorine' on the front, but says 'removes chlorine' on the back?

Cheers all.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

The brown is caused by tannins leeching out of the driftwood which may happen for a very long time. Water changes will help dilute the tannins already released (although more will continue to release over time). Activated carbon can help remove the coloration caused by tannins.

It takes about 2 weeks for the bacteria that devour Ammonia to grow to a sizable colony, and then about another 2 weeks for the bacteria that consume Nitrites. Thus, 1 month is the average initial cycle time...but keep in mind that it may take another few weeks for everything to be completely stable.