Day 3 Of The Fishless Tank Cycling!

[-Jo-]

I know its early days, and im not expecting miracles, but I just need advice on my ammonia situation in the tank.

On day 1 I added ammonia to the tank and tested it after an hour. it was at 4ppm which was great as that was my deisred level to get at. Since then I have tested the water twice a day and I havent had to add any more ammonia to it as it is still at 4ppm. Is this normal? I was expecting to have to add ammonia to the tank every day as i assumed it would drop down quite quickly. Do i not add any ammonia until it drops below 4ppm? because that is what I have been doing - or do i need to keep adding ammonia even though its at 4ppm?

Thank you in advance for clearing this up for me.

 

[TrainRek77]

you're on the right path. What you're trying to do is culture bacteria to change the ammonia (ammonia is a type of nitrogen) into nitrite (another type of nitrogen). Once they bacteria start to grow they grow exponentially. 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8, and so forth. It can take quite some time to get the initial bacteria growth but once it starts it grows fast. I'd say the soonest you should see a drop is about a week. Once it starts to drop then nitrites with begin to rise. Then the culture of the bacteria that turns nitrites into nitrates will happen.
You're doing the right thing, just be patient and keep testing. You'll do great!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

you're on the right path. What you're trying to do is culture bacteria to change the ammonia (ammonia is a type of nitrogen) into nitrite (another type of nitrogen). Once they bacteria start to grow they grow exponentially. 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8, and so forth.

Predation, death and inhibitors put a dent in that exponential growth but yes, for the most part, it is exponential (ish)! Maths aside though, the nitrifiers are sloooooow at reproducing, seven hours minimum for the AOB, and that's at optimum conditions.

So Jo, yes just keep topping the ammonia up as it falls to zero.

 

[-Jo-]

you're on the right path. What you're trying to do is culture bacteria to change the ammonia (ammonia is a type of nitrogen) into nitrite (another type of nitrogen). Once they bacteria start to grow they grow exponentially. 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8, and so forth. It can take quite some time to get the initial bacteria growth but once it starts it grows fast. I'd say the soonest you should see a drop is about a week. Once it starts to drop then nitrites with begin to rise. Then the culture of the bacteria that turns nitrites into nitrates will happen.
You're doing the right thing, just be patient and keep testing. You'll do great!

thank you, this has helped me a lot. I was starting to think that the ammonia was just stuck there and not moving! ha! I dont know what i was expecting in 3 days, but I thought there might have been a drop in ammonia or some movement with it. Atleast I know its normal - hopefully by the end of the week/beginning of next there will be a drop and i can start testing nitrites and nitrates. Exciting!

 

[-Jo-]

you're on the right path. What you're trying to do is culture bacteria to change the ammonia (ammonia is a type of nitrogen) into nitrite (another type of nitrogen). Once they bacteria start to grow they grow exponentially. 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8, and so forth.

Predation, death and inhibitors put a dent in that exponential growth but yes, for the most part, it is exponential (ish)! Maths aside though, the nitrifiers are sloooooow at reproducing, seven hours minimum for the AOB, and that's at optimum conditions.

So Jo, yes just keep topping the ammonia up as it falls to zero.

Thank you - will keep topping up the ammonia when i see a fall in it. Thank you for your help

 

[-Jo-]

its day 4 and my ammonia is still at 4ppm with no signs of dropping so I have not been adding any ammonia. My plants for my tank are ariving tomorrow. Would it be safe to add them to the tank whilst its cycling, or will this mess up the cycle?

 

[Xraymark]

Better cycling without plants. Plants can start using the ammonia + with plants the lights need to go on. Ammonia and lights equal algae.
I had the same problem and put my plants in glass vases and changed water every week. They lasted months.
Only test your water once a day at most until ammonia drops to zero within 12 hours. Don't expect ammonia to drop for around 2 weeks and that can be optimistic but it will happen.
Make sure temp close to 30c and check you ph. It should be above 7. Better at 8 -8.4
I assume you have read the cycling section in the beginners section,