New Levels After Mature Media, Now What?

[newfishgirl]

The now fishless cycle "begins"...
Ok so I've retested my levels after adding the mature media. They are now at:
Ammonia 2ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate between 4 and 5ppm
I'm going to grab the ammonia today and I'm wondering if I should add some to get it up to 4-5ppm or let the level drop to 0 and then add it. I'm also worried about making sure there is enough "food' for the media to keep alive.

Sorry I have so many constantly questions and posts, I just don't want to do anything wrong and I only trust you guys now.
Thanks!

 

[cowboy507]

Let it go to zero. Then fill back to 1ppm

 

[kad191]

Ammonia is 'food'. If you let it stay at 0 for too long it will die

 

[newfishgirl]

Ok. I'll keep checking it to be sure to not let it stay at 0 for too long. That probably won't take long right since I have the media in it?
Also, I thought I saw somewhere a kinda guideline of how much ammonia to add to your specific tank size. Am I right and if so can someone let me know where to find it? Thanks.

 

[kad191]

Not sure about the guide, most just keep dosing and testing to get the desired level. The more mature the filter the quicker the ammonia will drop, then you will find the nitrite level will spike as the bacteria for turning nitrite into nitrate takes longer to develop. Only once the ammonia and nitrite levels keep dropping to zero then your filter is cycled, if you follow.

 

[frapadoodle]

On the toolbar, Calculator. Has the dosing tool.

 

[newfishgirl]

Great, thanks!