How Long Till I See....

[Behold]

Im cycling my tank and i started on friday night.

I put in wat looks to be about 5ppm (Darker than 4ppm and lighter than 6ppm) just did another test and it looks no different. is this normal

Thanks

 

[ae.felstead]

I started to cycle 8 days ago, amonia was off the chart and still is but nitrite starting to rise so I think things are starting to happen.

 

[Gremily]

Check for nitrites, as long as there are some then bacteria is growing and processing the ammonia.

 

[Behold]

surly if there are nitrites there would be less ammonia.....

 

[Gremily]

Yes that's true but there probably hasn't been enough yet to make a noticeable difference, this graph may help you understand the cycle better:
http/faq.thekrib.com/n-cycle.gif

 

[Behold]

thanks for that thats useful

 

[darrene]

according to the graph after doing the water change is that when you can add fish?

 

[Gremily]

This topic describes how fishless cycling works and what should happen at different stages in the cycle:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

 

[Behold]

That graph shows only adding 1 set of ammonia? till all goes?

 

[Gremily]

Sorry, I should have said this graph is really of a cycle with fish as ammonia is gradually entering the system.
I posted it to show that nitrites will appear before you start to see a drop in ammonia.

 

[Behold]

I did another test today and im seeing about 2ppm on nitrItes and a defo 4ppm on ammonia so its moving...... hope by friday to see a significant ammonia difference...

 

[Gremily]

I started a cycle on Thursday with 5-6ppm ammonia, 6 days later I have 1-2ppm and nitrites & nitrates seem to be very high.
I added mature media to the filter though which will have have accelerated the cycle a bit, try and get some if you have another tank or know anyone who does.