confused by cycling

[Airli]

ok so i have read the pinned articles, i have read articles at other sites annnd i have read MANY of the old threads about cycling and other ppls questions.

i was just curious as to how many other ppl out there are fishless cycling at the minute or have just finished?
how long did it take you?
and do u have any pointers for someone just starting it (keeping in mind that i have been reading a lot about this, and that is why i am confused)

i just put in the ammonia today, to 2ppm (which was about 3ml in my 34gallon)
i dont have a heater in the tank
and i was only able to put a small amount of gravel from my other cycled tank (it has weird filter media which i couldnt use)

so as i understand it, i keep adding that same amount until i get nitrites and then i half that amount until nitrites dissapear? (or do i get it to 5ppm and then only add ammonia to keep it at the minute?)

im just so confused, please help

 

[happyadd]

Hey, my 15G Hex cycled Yesterday, after 28 Days

These are some pointers I would suggest.

When you get a readin of 4.00 of ammonia, do not add ANY more until your nitrite spikes and clears to 0

Only then start adding tiny bits until you can get fish, as soon as possible is best.

Nitrite takes ages to spike, can stay spiked for days and then disappear, as mine did.

High ammonia levels will kill your plants, belive me, they all melted! But after my ammonia started to drop I was able to keep plants.

A good indication that your cycle is working well is you will start seeing high levels of nitrates appear. A heavily planted aquarium will take care of this.

Try not to add any other chemicals to water such as pH buffer.

Im not sure whether products like "cycle" or "stresszyme" actually work, if you use them its up to you.

Be patient, I nearly lost my head over it cos it's really boring.

Test you water every few days, like 3 or somehting, it'll save on kits.

Once you notice your ammonia is 4.00ppm you may as well only test for nitrite until it spikes. Then start testing ammonia and nitrate.

If I was to cycle another tank I would d it this way after my experience, although I may be tempted to cycle with goldfish unless I wanted to keep teritorial fish.

Any help?