Now Im Confused

[youngfisher]

Ok - Got the API test kit etc.

Had a reading of 8ppm in ammonia

so done a 90% waterchange.

now i done a reading today and the reading is at 8.0ppm again.



HOW!?

 

[minxfishy]

Did you add more ammonia?

 

[youngfisher]

I added some last night (4ml) as the reading was 1ppm

But its been 12 hours since that.

Well, I would say the ammonia was more 5-6ppm as its not as dark as 8ppm but its not far from it

 

[minxfishy]

Did you calculate properly the amount you should have been adding? If you overdose, then it will be too high again.

Do a 25% w/c and see if that brings it down, it will not process at that high level.

Whats the length, depth and height of your tank (height from top of gravel to top of water line please)

 

[youngfisher]

I have got to nip out now, I will do a 25% w/c when I get back in do a reading then message you

 

[bagu]

I have got to nip out now, I will do a 25% w/c when I get back in do a reading then message you

kk keep us posted man, seems wierd =/

 

[youngfisher]

Right - Im going to do a big waterchange today, and start the cycle over. It says I have to add 5ml of ammonia on the calculator - so I have been told to add 4ml.

So should I test the water and put 4ml of ammonia straight in or..?

 

[youngfisher]

Or...

 

[minxfishy]

Test the water, whats the ammonia at? If its 4/5ppm, leave it as is and continue the cycle, if its 8ppm, then do a 25/50% w/c, re-test and add or not depending on the results you get, remember if its at 2ppm after the water change, then you only need a small amount to get to 5ppm.

Are you using the calculator at the top of the forum? Are you using the dimensions of the tank, including the gravel etc?

 

[youngfisher]

It just says "Solution Required 5ml" - So I thought I add that.

Im doing a w/c around 6pm as im with my gf atm. - Then will I be able to message you and you can take me through it please?

 

[waterdrop]

2ppm, 3ppm, 4ppm, 5ppm, 6ppm... it doesn't really matter in the early stages (that's where you are, right?) as long as it doesn't get up around 7 or 8ppm, but you want to be noting how many milliliters achieved what level and homing in on the right number of milliliters that seems to put your tank close to 5ppm as that's where you will want to be able to take in the last week or two of fishless cycling.

In the early stages even these lower concentrations of ammonia will be giving the small, new colonies more than enough food for full growth, whereas near the end you really want to guarantee that you've pushed the colony sizes up to the robust level that 5ppm gives you so that it will still be stable during the drop-off of the first fish addition.

~~waterdrop~~