The Cycle

[Aliena]

I have set up my tank today and am impatient to start cycling it. Unfortunately my test kit has been ordered but because of the s*dding bank holiday tomorrow it isn't going to be posted till Tuesday and is unlikely to arrive before Thursday.

I wondered whether it would be ok to put in the amount of ammonia calculated by the calculator to start things off even though I can't actually test the water till the kit arrives? I don't have any mature media to put in the filter so it is going to take long enough without waiting till nearly next weekend to start.

Secondly, I checked as I was filling the tank exactly how much water I out in because although it is a 60l tank obviously the actual water content is less. I assume the amount of water I enter into the calculator is the amount that is actually in the tank?

Just been telling my sister about the cycle and she thinks it's hillarious that I will have a pet tank of water for the next few weeks.

 

[Rediahs]

Yes, it's fine to put in the ammonia. If I were you I'd actually put in half that much, because then you can be more sure that you aren't going over, and going under isn't really a big deal. As long as you have SOME ammonia, the cycle will start - you could even put in just 1 ppm and the cycle will start. And the bacteria probably won't eat 0.25 ppm of ammonia in less than a week at the beginning of the cycle. Since you aren't using mature media, nothing appreciable is going to happen in a few days, and then once you get your kit, you can measure the proper amount, subtract that from how much you already added, and top it up. The earlier you start, the better, so adding just a tad of ammonia now will get the cycle done faster.

I loved how I had a pet tank of water too!! Except I called it "pet bacteria" xD

 

[OldMan47]

If you put in enough ammonia for 2 ppm, double check your numbers first, you will be fine waiting 3 days before testing. In 3 days you are unlikely to have all of the ammonia processed and if you only go to 2 ppm even the worst error is unlikely to result in a concentration too high.

 

[Aliena]

Thanks, I put in 1.25ml of ammonia (smallest measuring spoon I have) which according to the calculator should give me just a little over 2ppm. Just got to wait for my test kit now. Sometimes I hate bank holidays but I can't justify paying £40 plus for one in the lfs when I could get it online for less than £20.