Fishless Cycle Results, Is This About Right?

[tom_os]

on my fishless cycle, day 22 i add 4ppm ammonia in the evening by the morning about 10 hours later it is .05. nitrite is also .5 after 10 hours

on the evening test, 24 hours after adding ammonia, ammonia is 0 and nitrite .5.

is this right? nitrate is very high

 

[waterdrop]

Sounds like your FLC is moving along pretty fast! I assume you're keeping an eye on pH and its decent?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[tom_os]

yeah check ph everyday, 6.4. i did have a crash but managed to sort it out quickly. problem is im going away for a week so got mum too add 4ppm ammonia everyday. so as long as she does it. i should just have a qualifing week left.

however it will be another 2 months of adding ammonia before i add fish because in 2 months i can get cheap fish =]

 

[waterdrop]

A pH of 6.4 is too low. If your tap water has higher pH you may need to water change or you may even need to discuss using baking soda with the members.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[tom_os]

well it is higher out of the tap

i do probably every other day add bicarb to keep it up. i will add some more next time

 

[waterdrop]

pH below 5.5 = possible danger of bacteria die-off
pH 5.5 to 6.2 = cycling process stalled or stopped
pH 6.3 to 7.0 = slow beneficial bacterial development
pH 7.1 to 7.9 = faster beneficial bacterial development
pH 8.0 to 8.4 = optimal/fastest bacterial development
pH 8.5 to 8.9 = too high, slower bacterial development
ph above 9.0 = possible danger of bacteria die-off

gotta go... WD

 

[tom_os]

ok cheers