Cycle Question

[Infidel_Uk]

When the ammonia drops back to about near zero (usually takes about a week), add enough to raise it back to about 3 to 4 ppm and begin testing the nitrite daily.

how do i know how much to add?

is it a case of add a little then test ?

i had to add 9.1ml initially , using the chat on this site , now amonia levels are 0.2 .

do i add the same amount [ 9.1ml ] ?

or a little less ?

i was thinking around 5ml ?

 

[saltynay]

Add ammonia wait half an hour then test and add more if required

 

[Infidel_Uk]

Add ammonia wait half an hour then test and add more if required

ok fella, will do, so there's no way to calculate what to add based on current readings , shame that , the test kits dont come cheap....

edit : have add 4ml

ill pop back and check in 30 mins

thanks fella !

 

[saltynay]

You can add a measured amount to 1 litre then do the reading e.g. (theoretical values are not likely to be anywhere close to this) 1ml in 1 litre gives 16 ppm so if your aiming for 8ppm then you would need to add 0.5ml per litre times by the size of the tank. You now know the exact amount to add every time to get to 8ppm.

 

[Infidel_Uk]

if the 4ml doesn't bring it back to 4ppm , then i will figure it out using your post as a guide.

we shall see

 

[Infidel_Uk]

well, ive just looked and its spot on 4ppm

excatly what i need to see, now im *supposed* to begin testing daily for nitrite, but ive read that the nitrite spike will take about 2 times longer to settle

**The nitrite spike will generally take about twice as long to drop to zero as did the ammonia spike**

so do i bother testing for nitrite daily ? or wait a week ?

also i have some more questions.

Once you see a drop in the ammonia, test for nitrite.*done*

There should be some present. *yes there is *

When the ammonia drops back to about near zero (usually takes about a week), add enough to raise it back to about 3 to 4 ppm and begin testing the nitrite daily. *done*

Every time the ammonia drops back to zero, raise it back up to 3 to 4 ppm and continue to check nitrites *???* does that mean im testing for AMMONIA daily also ?

 

[oswoldy]

Try the calculator at the bottom of this page mate, it may not be 100% accurate but its a start.

http/www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm

Mike

 

[Infidel_Uk]

Try the calculator at the bottom of this page mate, it may not be 100% accurate but its a start.

<a href="http/www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm</a>

Mike

i did that already , when i started the cycle

Once you see a drop in the ammonia, test for nitrite.*done*

There should be some present. *yes there is *

When the ammonia drops back to about near zero (usually takes about a week), add enough to raise it back to about 3 to 4 ppm and begin testing the nitrite daily. *done*

Every time the ammonia drops back to zero, raise it back up to 3 to 4 ppm and continue to check nitrites *???* does that mean im testing for AMMONIA daily also ?

 

[saltynay]

You don't need to test for ammonia daily now that you know how many mls you need to add to get your desired ppm. I would wait a week then test for nitrites daily personally every day you will need to add the same dosage of ammonia.

 

[Infidel_Uk]

You don't need to test for ammonia daily now that you know how many mls you need to add to get your desired ppm. I would wait a week then test for nitrites daily personally every day you will need to add the same dosage of ammonia.

that's what i thought , ok thanks salty

 

[Infidel_Uk]

well i got bored , done another ammonia test and its already at zero after rasing it to 5 only tuesday , ive put 4ml of ammonia back in , and will start testing for nitrites , feel free to tell me if im doing this correctly ...